Raquel's Abel Read Online Free PDF

enabled the United States to win both world wars. So far, he appeared to be the kind of person I wanted to write about. The professor I was meeting with claimed to be an authority on Teddy Roosevelt. I hoped he’d be able to give me even more insight into his character and motivations.
    The professor’s office was on the fourth floor, so I entered a crowded elevator that began to screech half way up. A horrible metallic sound worse than fingernails on a blackboard ran through the shaft, then the elevator ground to a halt.
    Someone hit the alarm. When nothing happened, two students began to tug at the elevator doors. Soon they opened and we saw that the elevator had stopped between floors. An opening of about a foot high appeared. The boys scooted out and soon were followed by everyone but me.
    Even slathered with baby oil I wouldn’t I fit through that slit. I stood there inside the elevator, alone and humiliated, for hours. Not one single person thought to hand me anything to drink, or a stool to sit on; and, feeling like I was on display at the zoo, I was much too embarrassed to ask for help.
    After the repairmen had finally gotten the elevator to move, I continued up to the professor’s office. He had gone to class. I’d have to call him and apologize and think up some excuse. I wouldn’t want to admit what really happened.

    The next day, I stood in the kitchen looking at the pages of information the surgeon had given me. If I’d had any doubts about having the surgery, being stuck in that elevator had erased them. How much more could I take?
    I heard a whoosh behind me. “Maria Elena,” I called.
    “Good afternoon,” said a deep male voice.
    I turned to see him . This time he was dressed in a WWI Infantry uniform complete with a metal bowl-like helmet that had been called steel Stetsons when they first came out.
    I ignored the thrill that crept through me. “I don’t know how you keep getting in the house, but I really must ask you to leave.” Why wasn’t I scared of him? I certainly should be.
    He cocked his head back and stared at me out of half open eyes. “I have come to tell you that you are making a mistake.”
    He was so irritating. “If I’m making a mistake, it’s no business of yours.”
    “Is that any way for you to talk to your greatest admirer?” He took his helmet off and held it at his chest.
    “What’s so great about your admiration? You just seem to be a plain old nuisance.” A very handsome nuisance, I thought to myself.
    “Hardly should you think of me as a nuisance. I am here to save you from that abominable idea you’ve got parading around in your head.” He blinked his dark eyes slowly and puffed up his chest.
    “First, it’s none of your business and second, it’s not a bad idea at all. This will give me a new lease on life.” What was I doing arguing with a spirit?
    He looked like he’d swallowed a lump. “It could take your life.”
    I ignored the truth of what he was saying. “Why does it mean so much to you?”
    “Because.” He threw his head back. “Because, I would like to court you and, and, I can’t do that if you…” His deep voice halted abruptly.
    “Court me?” It sounded so regal, so old-fashioned, yet very flattering.
    His face clouded over, and soon his features went hazy, then, as quickly as he’d appeared, he was gone.
    Was I going crazy? Or was this just my psyche’s way of dealing with the fear of having major surgery?
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    A few weeks later, I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of that ghost. He was probably just a dream—or wishful thinking, I thought, remembering his gorgeous dark eyes. A guy that hot had never been interested in me. Maybe in Regina, but never in me.
    I’d finally finished going through the multitude of tests in preparation for the gastric bypass. The surgery was tomorrow. All I had to do was follow the directions on that...that...that list. Where was it? It had been in the kitchen. I