I Can, Really

Mark's girlfriend died but is not gone. 300-word flash

I Can, really

Mark had a dilemma. Liza asked for a big favor. He could do it, considering circumstances, but it would be tricky.
“Pretend I’m not here,” she whispered into the silence.
So, he tried and was successful at first. Then a bunch of friends arrived. Naturally it became an impromptu house party.

He knew why they were here, but knowing that Liza did not, made him uncomfortable. Caught in the whirl of the activity he knew had been planned to cheer him up, Mark still felt Liza around. Then they started to talk about her in corners.

“I have to stop them,” he decided and began to circulate among the groups, abruptly changing the subject if they were talking about Liza. They all stared.
“What’s with you?” his surfer friend, Zack asked.
“Yeah, it’s best to talk about her, remember her and heal,” chimed in Willow, his new age lady friend.
“She’s freaking out, because part of her is still here!”
“What do you mean?” interrupted my gym rat pal, Max.
“She’s adamant she is still alive and wants to pretend she isn’t here,” he explained.

“Better let me convince her to go toward the light,” Willow offered.
Mark sighed gratefully and nodded.
“Where is she?”
“On the balcony,” Mark answered.
Willow stepped outside the sliding door, closed it and began to speak and gesture. Mark watched as a column of what looked like vapor disappeared into the air.

Willow came back in sobbing. Max went to her and awkwardly comforted her. His surfer friend patted his shoulder and went to join them.
Alone at last, Mark went into the kitchen to quietly mourn Liza. Liza’s best friend, Barb was crying softly into a cup of coffee. Mark moved to commiserate with her and perhaps comfort her too.