Page 144 of Switch!

The line starts beeping so I hang up. “Did I do something wrong?” I ask. “Do we need to put more coins in?”

No idea, Jesse thinks in response.I have enough to try again.

I call the diner, expecting to hear my mother answer, but it’s the male voice from before.

“Jack’s Place.”

“Sorry, I was speaking with Diana and we got disconnected.”

“She’s busy,” the voice grunts before hanging up.

I return the handset to the cradle and stare at the payphone. Something is wrong.

Sheisat work, Jesse points out.

“Yeah, but she wouldn’t just hang up like that,” I tell him.

Everyone has bad days, Jesse replies.

True. But he doesn’t know her like I do. I’ll be there soon enough, so it’s not a big deal. I’ll see firsthand how my mother is doing. But for now, I can’t shake the feeling that something is very wrong indeed.

— — —

-beep beep beep beep!-

I groan, open my eyes, and reach for the phone on the nightstand to silence the alarm. Colin’s arm slides off me, reminding me how fun the night before was. We behaved like total idiots, which began in an attempt to banish the last of Jesse’s skepticism. I made him dance around for Colin’s amusement, but his body’s physical memory had him busting the usual moves, so we got more creative with a game that Trixie labeled Psychic Secrets. I would have Colin dwell on a deep dark secret while I was possessing him. Then I would return to Jesse’s body and think loud enough for his boyfriend to repeat the information he couldn’t have known otherwise.

“Why would you cover your body in coconut oil and wrap yourself in aluminum foil?” Jesse asked at one point.

“I was fourteen, convinced I was fat, and using diet tricks I found online,” Colin explained, his face bright red as he laughed away his embarrassment.

Trixie got in on the fun, challenging us to sneak a lie past her at any time in the evening. She caught us each time. It was so hopeless that we switched to playing truth or dare, which is much more intimidating when someone can validate each answer. We mostly chose dares. The night ended with me possessing Colin, who was forced to do somersaults in the backyard while dressed in his underwear. I relinquished control and left him out there, lying on his back in the grass while cackling. It’s a miracle the neighbors didn’t complain. The mood grew more somber toward the end of the night. We sat around and sipped wine while talking about how weird our lives have become.

Back in the present, I find myself staring groggily at Jesse’s phone while trying to remember why. The beeping! I wanted to snooze the alarm clock… which doesn’t seem to be set. The screen is still locked with none of the usual prompts. For that matter, why am I even in control? I let Jesse be in charge of his body for most of the night, not wanting to appear greedy or ungrateful for the ride. Although come to think of it, just before dozing off I did try to rouse him, and when he didn’t respond, I took control and ended up setting the alarm myself. As in the alarm system protecting the house. The one that beeps four times when the code is entered correctly. I peer across the room at the control panel by the bedroom door and see a green light, which means the system has been deactivated.

I sit upright, my skin prickling as I hear a distant noise. Did it come from downstairs? Trixie might be up already. I glance at the phone and notice how early the hour is. In all the time I’ve known her, Trixie has never risen before ten in the morning. Not unless I made her. And besides, even if she got up to use the restroom, she wouldn’t need to turn off the alarm system to do so.

My movements slow and deliberate, I slide out of bed and get dressed, putting on everything but Jesse’s shoes so his socks will help pad his footsteps.

Whasss goin’ on?

Jesse is awake now too. I’d be amused that his internal voice manages to sound groggy if the situation wasn’t so pressing.

Someone’s in the house,I think in answer to his question.We better go look.

His fear adds to my own. Great. My hand is trembling as I turn the knob of the bedroom door. I very quietly pad down the hall, stopping when glass clinks against glass. I heard that exact sound when putting empty wine bottles in the trash last night, which would be a shrewd place to check if a house had been occupied recently. I’m slowly working my way down the stairs when one of the steps creaks beneath my feet. I freeze. The house is silent. And then…

“Rosa?”

The voice is husky and sounds confused. I remember a note the maid left on the counter after her most recent visit, mentioning that she’d forgotten the oven cleaner and would bring it next time. The note was signed with the same name. Rosa.

I remain perfectly still. After a torturous silence, I hear footsteps approach the entryway and the very stairs I’m standing on.

We don’t have much time, I think, hoping that Jesse will get the message.I’ll possess whoever it is. You get everyone else away from here. Don’t worry about me. Ready?

Wait! How will you leave? You’ll be stuck here!

The man walks into the entryway, but he hasn’t looked up at us yet. Any second now.Go!