Page 31 of Medium

“Oh, Ms. Jackson. Hey.” Did I sound as casual as I was trying for? Hopefully I’d get used to their different forms before they gave me a heart attack.

“Good morning,” Shane called out. He and Ellis were in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher. At least none of the ghosts were in here. Grandfather had stayed in the back yard.

“Good morning. Um, is there a bathroom I could use to clean up?”

“Sure. Down that hall on the left.” Shane eyed me up and down. “You want to borrow some sweatpants?”

“Thank you, but what I really need are some different shoes.” I rubbed my hand through my hair. “I promised Pia I’d stay. Would it be okay if I asked a friend of mine to bring some clothes from my apartment?”

He shrugged. “Of course. Are they your partner?”

I shook my head. “I’m not in a relationship.”

Shane frowned. He opened his mouth to say something, but I held up my phone. “What’s your address? No, wait. I have it from last night.”

I opened my texting app. The phone still had a decent charge, but I had a cable in my car in case it got low.

Hey, are you at home?

I headed for the bathroom while I waited for a reply. I’d hold off on the shower until I had clothes to change into, but I needed to piss and wash my face.

I’d barely shut the door behind me when he replied.

Manny

Just got off shift. Whatchu need?

Can you please run by my place and pick up some clothes for me? I’m in the Second Ward. Long story, but I only have my tuxedo and I can’t leave. These shoes are fucking torture.

Manny

You can’t leave? Is last night’s hookup holding you hostage? Or is this a BDSM thing? Do you have a safe word?

Fuck off. No, I promised this little girl. Again, long story.

Manny

I gotchu.

Thanks. I owe you. Here’s the address.

Manny

Cool. I used to have a client on that street back when I did in-home caregiving. I can be there in 30. I’ll text you when I get there

You’re the best

When I returned to the kitchen Shane asked, “You want coffee? I was about to make eggs and toast.”

“Sounds great, thank you. Black is fine.”

“Sure. Have a seat.”

There were four place settings at the table, one of which was in front of Ms. Jackson. I could either sit next to or across from them. Fuck it. I pulled out the chair to Ms. Jackson’s left. I didn’t know what real tiger fur looked like up close, but Ms. Jackson’s seemed to have squiggly lines running through theirs. Weird.

Shane and Ellis came out of the kitchen. Ellis handed me a cup of coffee, and Shane put a bowl of it in front of Ms. Jackson. The two of them went back to the kitchen, and I watched Ms. Jackson lap from the bowl. Only a little splashed onto the table.

I sipped my coffee, hoping the caffeine would help me make sense of everything around me.