Garrett finished college. Throughout his college days he would frequently come back to the Hilton and request room 816 every time. On only a few occasions was he unable to stay in that particular room. But he never came without visiting his little brother, even if someone else occupied the room. On such occasions, Garrett would walk by the door and shout a greeting to his little brother, hoping he would hear. But Sam could only hear Garrett when he was alone.
After graduation, Garrett took a job working for a computer company, programming video games about Superheroes and making lots of money. He always drove a bright yellow Mustang convertible because it was his favorite and he remembered talking about Mustang's with his little brother when he was alive. His job paid him well and he could do it from anywhere in the country because these days, all one needs is a connection to the internet.
At the age of 24, Garrett took up residence at the Hilton Hotel and and lived with his 8 year old little brother for many many years. Some people thought he was crazy for wanting to live in a hotel suite, but Garrett found the life very satisfying, at least for a while. He could work and visit with his little brother in the privacy of their small home on the eight floor. This was a happy, happy time for them both.
Every day when Garrett would leave or come home, his leaving or arrival was always heralded by the dinging of the elevator. When Garrett would leave for a day or a week or a month, it seemed only moments to Sam when the elevator would ding again and his brother would appear.
Toward the end their time together, Garrett's sadness grew. Because in time, Garrett had grown old, but his little brother Sam, remained an 8 year old boy whose life had been taken from him so very young. And while they would talk about many things - all Sam was interested in was discovering what he was supposed to do and wondering whether his parents were ever going to come for him. Garrett began to wonder what would happen to Sam after he was gone.
While Garrett spent years consoling his little brother, time was nothing to Sam. He saw glimpses of his brother growing old, but always felt a longing to be in another place with people who loved him - longing to be with his parents once again. Garrett would tell Sam about their parents and the things they were doing. He would tell Sam about Emma and Savannah and about their families. But in all these years, had never again tried to convince their parents that Sam's ghost still lived in room 816 of the Hilton Hotel. They would only thing that Garrett had lost his mind.
Lee and Ginger never visited Garrett in the hotel. They had decided long ago that they would never enter the doors of that building again. Not, at least, while they still lived. They held true to that decision.
But Sam was happy that his brother would come and see him. Garrett took comfort in knowing that his little brother didn't have to feel afraid or only, at least as much as ghost can be unafraid and unlonely. And time continued to pass.
