Ghosting You

by Alexander C. Eberhart

  “We’re going to take a break,” Mel announces to the both of us, hooking an arm through Nick’s. “I’m going to take Nick over to Sheila’s for some ice cream. Show him around for a bit.”

  “Didn’t you already take—” Rod clams up mid-sentence because Mel is throwing hellfire with her eyes. “You two have fun! Bring me back a cone of Rum Raisin.”

  Nick gives us an apologetic look before Mel drags him around the counter and out the front door. They cross in front of the window and Mel pulls him closer.

  I give him a pity pat on the back. “On second thought, I think she likes him.”

  “You don’t say.”

  I want to poke fun at him some more, but motion in the street catches my attention. A swarm of shadows cross the window. I pray they keep moving, but it looks like they’re hell-bent on ruining our night.

  “Oh, shit.” Rod knocks me out of the way, taking over the barista station. He brandishes a canister of whipped cream like a bayonet. “Battle stations, T-Man. It looks like the five-thirty movie just let out.”

  “God help us.”

  The door opens again and we both let out our battle cry, “Welcome to Claudine’s!”

  I toss my empty ice cream dish into the sidewalk trash. I’ve never had Rum Raisin before, and it’s surprisingly delicious.

  “Thanks again for the ice cream, Mel.”

  Mel twirls a piece of her hair. “It’s my pleasure.”

  Her eyes linger for a little too long as she takes another lick of her ice cream cone.

  I clear my throat. “Shouldn’t we be getting back to help Tommy and Rod?”

  “They’ll be fine. Probably twiddling their thumbs right now, becoming the best of friends.”

  “Right. Well, if we’re not going back to work…”

  What are we doing?

  “I wanted to get to know you a little better.” Mel starts down the sidewalk past me. I guess she expects me to follow. Which is exactly what I do.

  “Your family is visiting for the summer?”

  “I see it more like I’ve been taken captive for the summer, but your way sounds a lot nicer.”

  Mel laughs, a high-pitched alien thing instead of the usual throaty laugh she has when Rod is showing her a meme.

  “Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious.”

  “Yeah. Anyways… I figured if I’m going to be stuck here, I might as well make a little money and save myself from death-by-boredom. It was either this, or become really enthusiastic about the outdoors, and let’s just say I wasn’t cut out for that second one.”

  “Oh, me neither. See, we have so much in common.”

  “I guess.”

  am I missing something? What else has she told me we have in common?

  Mel keeps walking, but I have no idea where we’re headed. The sun set about half an hour ago and the town looks like a Chick-fil-A on Sunday—deserted.

  “What cabin are you staying in?”

  “Um, I don’t remember the name. It’s the red one up off of Sweetgum?”

  “No way!” Mel squeals, grabbing my hand in hers. “My mom manages those cabins. How crazy is that?”

  “Pretty crazy!” I agree, giving her hand a little shake. She doesn’t let go, but keeps walking. Coincidence isn’t the only crazy thing around here…

  “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it, Nick?”

  “Sure is.” I take the opportunity to look up at the sky and away from her piercing gaze. Wow. I haven’t noticed how many stars I can see out here. There’s hardly a dark spot. I’m lucky to see the major constellations from my bedroom at home.

  “You can even see Canis Major,” I say, pointing to the crooked “x” formation with my free hand.

  Mel laughs again. “Oh my god, you’re hilarious!”

  Heat tinges the edges of my cheeks.

  “It’s just cool what you can see is all.”

  “It’s so cute that you care about that kind of thing.” She smiles at me, but the condescending tone in her voice makes me want to scream. I’m stuck with her though, at least for now. So, I need to play nice.

  “You mean astronomy? Yeah, I guess I do care. Enough to know the major constellations at least. I had these stickers when I was in third grade that glowed in the dark, and my mom and I spend an entire week arranging them on the ceiling of my—”

  “Oh my God, I love astronomy.” Mel interrupts. “I’m a Libra, myself.”

  I’ve never wanted to hit someone so bad in my life. Deep breaths.

  “That’s astrology. I’m talking about the stars in general.”

  Mel laughs again, “Whatevs. Hey, what’s your sign?”

  “Virgo,” I admit, the word deflating my lungs like my body is just willing itself to wither away so I don’t have to be a part of this awkward exchange.

  “Libra and Virgo. That’s a nice match.”

  Mel stops walking and I reach for my phone to double check that fact.

  “Uh, actually, those signs aren’t compatible at all—”

  Before I can finish, Mel’s lips are on mine. Her arms wrap around me. I try to push her away, but she holds fast, like the tick my dad had to rip out of my arm when I was seven.

  Except the tick actually let go.

  Somebody help!

  It’s well past sun-down by the time Rod and I finish closing the shop down. The post-chick flick bum-rush left my nerves completely fried. My heart is still hammering from the onslaught.

  I pull out my phone, typing away as I wait on Rod to set the alarm.

  You really would have loved working here. You’d have been promoted to caffeine overlord by now. 8:46pm

  Message Failed. Number not in service. 8:46pm

  I slide my phone back in my pocket, taking in a deep breath. The night air is heavy with humidity, but it does my nerves good to be outside. Outside is safe. Outside the walls won’t close in around me. Outside there’s a much slimmer chance of being accosted for running out of blueberry scones.

  “You did great tonight,” Rod says, dropping the keys back into his apron.

  Nick and Mel never came back which pissed both me and Rod off, but for completely clashing reasons. I wanted to get home and Rod wanted to get into Mel’s pants. We’re both pretty pissy at this point.

  “I’m really trying.” I admit. “Things don’t come easily for me. I have to work at them for a while.”

  He nods, fiddling with the strings behind his back. “See you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah. See you then.”

  Rod waves as he climbs into his beat-up rusted Toyota truck. The engine roars to life, black smoke spewing from the tailpipe. I whisper an apology to the ozone through my cough as he drives away, enveloping me in a noxious cloud.

  I’m alone now, a single shadow moving under the stars. I catch my reflection in the shops as I pass, noting today’s collection of coffee stains that spatter across Tina’s apron and the newly deepened circles under my eyes.

  I’m glad that Tina hasn’t decided to seek vengeance upon me from the afterlife. There’s no way I could deal with Mel’s bitchery and a vengeful apparition throwing milk jugs at my face or stealing all the sugar packets from the condiment counter.

  If anyone is going to haunt me, I’m glad it’s you. But now I’m afraid I did something to piss you off. I haven’t heard a single peep since my session with Dr. Paxton. Which is honestly pretty lame.

  Are you upset that I didn’t tell her about you?

  The sharp sound of Mel’s laughter ruins a perfectly peaceful night.

  “Oh my god, you’re hilarious!”

  Shit. She must have heard me thinking about her. Maybe her bitch-senses were tingling.

  I duck around the corner of Wilson’s Drug Store, pressing myself against the brick. All that’s missing is the suspenseful backtrack and this might as well be the next Mission: Impossible.

  “It’s just cool what you can see is all.”

  Nick is still with her. Wonderful. They’re the perfect balance of ins
ufferable and unbearable. A match made in hell.

  “It’s so cute that you care about that kind of thing.”

  The level of saccharine sweetness in Mel’s voice makes me want to gag.

  “You mean astronomy? Yeah, I guess I do care. Enough to know the major constellations at least. I had these stickers when I was in third grade that glowed in the dark, and my mom and I spend an entire week arranging them on the ceiling of my—”

  “Oh my God, I love astronomy. I’m a Libra, myself.”

  I snicker, then bite my lip to keep silent. They must have stopped walking at this point because they haven’t passed the alley opening.

  Nick’s awkward pause is hilarious.

  “That’s astrology. I’m talking about the stars in general.”

  Mel laughs again, “Whatevs. Hey, what’s your sign?”

  “Virgo,” Nick says it with a sigh.

  Eavesdropping wasn’t in my plans this evening, but boy is it fun! It’s like my own front row seat to the world’s worst first date. The cringe factor is skyrocketing. All I’m missing is the bag of popcorn.

  “Libra and Virgo. That’s a nice match.”

  “Uh, actually, those signs aren’t compatible at all—”

  Nick’s words get muffled. I peek around the corner of Wilson’s. Mel is performing her best kraken impression, her arms latching onto Nick like twisting tentacles as she pulls him closer in a kiss. His hands wrap around her waist.

  Heat rises to my face as I duck back into the alley.

  Great. Rod was right. Now I’m going to flinch every time I round the corner at work or open the back door because the two love birds will be dry humping all over the place. And then Rod will just mope around all day and I’m going to be the only one able to serve all those needy bitches that can’t spell half the stuff they’re ordering—

  “Why did you do that?”

  Nick’s question derails my thought train. My palms are sweating as I peer around the corner once more.

  Where I thought Nick was pulling Mel close to him, I realize he’s locked his elbows to keep her at bay.

  “Because I wanted to, dummy.” Mel is playful while Nick’s body language has completely changed. His posture is rigid, eyes wide and tone severe.

  “Do you think maybe you should have asked first?”

  “Asked?” Mel snorts, releasing him from her Kraken-hold. “Are you kidding me?”

  “No, I’m not.” Nick steps back, his words icy.

  “What the fuck is your deal, Nick? I thought we were having a good time.”

  “And I thought you were being nice,” Nick replies, softening slightly. “But I don’t want…that.”

  The cringe factor has entered the stratosphere.

  “What did you just say?”

  Oh, shit. Mel’s about to rip the fucker’s head off.

  “I-it’s not you, per se.” Nick’s fumbling now. “I just thought—”

  “Thought what?”

  This is bad. Don’t get involved, Tommy. Just walk the other way; you’ll have plausible deniability when that psychopath murders him.

  “I don’t see why you’re getting so upset,” Nick says, further fanning the flames of Mel’s wrath. “I thought you had a boyfriend anyway?”

  “He broke up with me on Tuesday!” Mel shrieks. “Have you been listening to a thing I’ve said all week?”

  “Uh… mostly?”

  The heat radiating off of Mel is starting to melt the wall I’m leaning against. She’s about to go full on nuclear meltdown and take me, Nick, and all of Hester with her. It’s that impending doom that drives me to act out of self-preservation.

  Stepping out from behind Wilson’s feels like walking into the street naked, in broad daylight.

  “Hey, guys.”

  Nick turns to me, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. On the other hand, I swear Mel’s head spins completely around, finally settling on me with furious indignation.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, Not Tina?”

  “Oh, you know, just walking home.” I stick my hands in my pockets, like I’ve been taking a leisurely stroll in the moonlight. “Took a little longer than usual to shut the store down. That tends to happen when twenty people walk in half an hour before you close. Hey, how’s your break going by the way?”

  Nick looks guilty while the icy blue fire in Mel’s eyes smolders even hotter.

  “Anyways. I’ll let you two get back to… whatever this is.” I step between them, my shoulders brushing both as I pass. Looking back, I call, “See y’all bright and early!”

  Mel lets out a hiss that gets softer the farther away I get from them. Nick owes me his life, even if he doesn’t realize it. Then again, Mel could still rip his head off like a pissy praying mantis, but at least I did all I could.

  Eh. Time will tell.

  I round the last corner to home. Footsteps approach behind me, the tempo getting faster. Instincts kick in and I grab my keys, threading them through my fingers. I pick up the pace toward the apartment. But then a voice follows suit, “Tommy! Hey, wait up!”

  Nick jogs alongside me in the street. He’s pouring sweat at this point, even though it’s only half a mile between my apartment and Claudine’s. He must not run much.

  “H-hey,” he manages through gasps for air.

  “Do I need to call you an ambulance?” I ask him, not abandoning my pursuits of home.

  He matches my stride, but still chooses to walk in the street for some reason. “I just wanted to say thanks for saving me back there.”

  “No need,” I say, eyes trained forward. The faster I walk, the faster I can get away from this jerk. “I revel in the opportunity to piss Mel off. You just provided the perfect timing.”

  “Still, you came around in the nick of time. I had no idea she wanted that from me. She’s been super friendly since I started but I thought she was just being nice.”

  “I don’t think she has the capacity of being nice,” I say. Nick seems content following me home like a lost puppy. I need to figure out a way to ditch him before he asks me for a bowl of kibble.

  “That’s a morbid way to view the world. Everyone is born with a capacity for kindness. I think sometimes life just squeezes it out of people, ya know?”

  “Sure. And little elves bake cookies in that tree over there.”

  “You don’t have to be a dick,” Nick says, turning toward me so he’s walking like a crab down the street.

  “I’m not being a dick,” I say, teeth clenching along with my fist. “I’m being reasonable. Which is obviously not your strong suit.” I speed up again, practically jogging at this point. My apartment complex is in sight. Lord Jesus, please let me get there before I clock this boy.

  “Did I do something to offend you?” Nick asks, matching my pace with his weird sideways gait. “Every time I talk to you, your words drip with venom.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, am I supposed to coat everything in honey when I speak to you? Is that how they suck up back home at whatever prudish private school you attend?”

  Nick steps in front of me, planting his feet. “Dude, what the hell is your deal?”

  “Get out of my way, Nick.” I squeeze my fists tighter, pulse pounding in my ears. Is it not enough that I have to deal with his bullshit at work? Now he’s following me home!

  Nick folds his arms across his chest. “Do you have a thing for Mel? Is that what this is? Look man, no judgment, but I think you can do better—”

  “Would you please shut up?” I interrupt.

  Nick blinks and that’s all the pause I need. I step around him, continuing down the sidewalk, my cheeks burning like embers.

  The sound of Nick’s footsteps just fuels the fire burning under my skin. This is ridiculous. I don’t have time for all this.

  I spin to confront my would-be-stalker, but I’ve misjudged just how fast he was moving.

  Nick collides with me, my face hitting the middle of his chest.

  “Shit!” he exclaim
s, grabbing ahold of both my shoulders to keep from falling backwards. “Sorry—”

  “Get the hell off,” I push against his chest and the sudden change of momentum sends him sprawling back. He lands on his ass with a crunching sound.

  Both of us freeze, eyes locked. But then Nick groans and rolls onto his side.

  “Shit.” I mutter. “Are you okay?”

  am I a horrible person if my first thought is, ‘please don’t sue me?’

  “Yeah, I think so.” He digs into his back pocket, pulling out a phone with a shattered screen. “Fuck me. My dad is going to flip his lid.”

  I offer him a hand to help him up. Maybe if I start apologizing now, he won’t try to take me for all I’m worth. Which at this point is $42 and some Chuck-E-Cheese tokens from my eighth birthday.

  He takes my hand with his left. Hoisting him requires me to dig my heels into the sidewalk. He’s far more solid than I gave him credit for. His hands are soft. Like, really soft. I didn’t think there was any salt to those well-off stereotypes, but he’s got to use some kind of cream or something.

  “Sorry,” I say, realizing I’m still holding onto him.

  “Don’t sweat it. I’m tragically clumsy. It’s the third phone I’ve shattered this year. Guess I’ll have to figure out how to get it fixed or—holy shit!”

  “What?!” My pulse spikes and I turn around, expecting to be mowed down by a drunk driver or obliterated by a meteor. I’ll take either one at this point.

  “Your hand.”

  I look down and recoil from the red smear.

  “Guess my phone wasn’t the only thing banged up,” Nick says, inspecting his palm. A drop of blood rolls over the edge of his hand, spattering on the sidewalk with a satisfying splat shape.

  “That looks bad,” I say, fighting the urge to wipe the blood on my apron. That may be just the offering Tina is waiting for to rise from her grave. Dealing with an undead barista is not how I want to end my day.

  “It’s fine,” he says. He holds his bleeding hand behind him, away from the two of us. “If I don’t look at it, then I’ll be just fine.”

  I glance across the street. So close to home. I could just walk right over there and forget about him… but he’s bleeding profusely. So, I end up saying, “Come with me.”