Soul Insurance

by Glenn Bullion

  "Money. Of course."

  "Yes, Brooke. Money. Isn't everything about money?"

  "You tried to kill me."

  He held up a finger. "Not that first time. Please believe me on that. I was heartbroken at your funeral. Denning answered to me, yeah, but he was trying to be some kind of mob boss or something, always doing things his own way. I did not tell him to burn your apartment building."

  "But attacking me and Connor at his place?"

  "No choice then, I'm afraid. Imagine my surprise when I get a phone call in the middle of the night, and there you are, telling me about my own operation."

  "You're going to prison, Wesley."

  "I'm afraid not, especially after I kill you in self-defense. I wish it didn't have to be like this, Brooke."

  Wesley opened his desk drawer, presumably for a gun, but the office door had already been kicked in. Police pushed their way inside. They circled around Brooke and slammed Wesley on the desk before forcing him to the floor. He cried out in surprise and disbelief as he was handcuffed and hauled to his feet.

  "No. You're definitely going to prison."

  Brooke's heart hammered in her chest as she left Soul-Ful. Wesley was shoved into the back of a squad car. He stared at her the entire time they drove away. Other policemen shook her hand and patted her on the back, commenting on her bravery. She pulled off the tiny microphone clipped to her bra and handed it to the first officer she could.

  She stopped and smiled when she caught sight of her car.

  Connor leaned against the passenger's door. His arm was in a sling, his hair a mess, wearing sweats. He was visibly uncomfortable, wincing occasionally. A soul hovered next to him, and Brooke watched as they were engaged in a conversation. The police moving in and out of Soul-Ful looked at him strangely, but he didn't seem to mind. When she approached, the soul flew around her head and soared above them.

  "That was Ryan," Connor said. "He said that was the coolest thing he's ever seen, and he's seen a lot."

  "Really? He said that?"

  "Well, that and some things about your shorts."

  "You said you liked this look last night, when you were drooling in your pudding."

  The horror on his face made her laugh.

  "I…I did what?"

  "You also asked me out on a date."

  "Uh, did you say yes?"

  She only grinned, content to let him wonder about that.

  "Something tells me you're not supposed to be out of the hospital."

  "No, but there was no way I was missing this."

  Brooke slipped under his good arm and put a hand on his chest. He leaned his weight on her as she opened the door, moaning in pain. She knew he could move on his own, but would take any excuse to touch him.

  "Let's get you back, One-Arm."

  "Very funny, White-Hair."

  *****

  Connor set a single rose on his father and mother's graves. He took a breath, trying to enjoy the beautiful morning. Souls soared around him, grieving over their loved ones, and sometimes themselves. One of the spirits passing through recognized him, and asked for help contacting his living wife. Connor requested some privacy, but with a promise to help later. The soul was understanding, and left him to be.

  Connor spoke to his parents, like he did every year. He told them about his new job, the new friends he'd made, his new girlfriend. He told them about Ryan, and how he still had no luck getting reincarnated. Ryan had met a soul, though, a lovely woman from Canada, and his plans for resurrection seemed to be on hold.

  After ten minutes of simply chatting with his parents, he turned to see Brooke. She was still where she said she'd be, standing by the car, parked on the street. He wasn't sure how he got quite so lucky. She waved shyly, and he motioned for her to join him.

  "Is everything okay?" she asked.

  "Yeah. I just wanted to introduce you. Mom, Dad, this is Brooke. She's awesome."

  "Can they hear us? Souls, after they've moved on?"

  "I'm honestly not sure, but I'd like to think so."

  Brooke reached for his hand and kissed him on the lips.

  "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Leland. I happen to be in love with your son. Even if he hogs the covers."

  "I do not."

  She nudged him in the side. "I promise I'll take good care of him."

  Connor and Brooke left the cemetery hip to hip, their arms around each other. They were nearly to the car when Brooke received a text message. He watched her expression over the hood as she stared at her phone. She looked up, relief and joy in her eyes.

  "The bill passed."

  "Should we go to work, then?"

  "You know they're probably on their way now."

  "But I wanted to go to lunch, and do things to you. Bedroom things."

  "We've got all day. The bedroom isn't going anywhere."

  Connor pulled into the parking lot of Soul-Ful a minute behind Kara. She was halfway to the front door with a soul behind her when he turned off the engine. Tears streaming from her eyes, she nearly tackled Brooke with an embrace as she stepped out of the car. Tonya impatiently floated back and forth on the sidewalk.

  "Mom! Come on!"

  "The bill passed!" Kara said. "Did you hear?"

  Brooke laughed and hugged Kara. "I'm sure she sent us the message right after you."

  "Mom," Tonya said again. "Let's go. I've been waiting forever for this. Connor, could you help me out?"

  "Kara, Tonya's kind of going crazy over there."

  "Oh, God. I'm so sorry."

  Tonya went through the door, followed by the rest. Seeing Amber sitting in the lobby wasn't a surprise, as she worked Saturdays. But they didn't expect to see their boss.

  "I'm glad you could make it," Isabel said, a slight smile on her face. "You'd think an old person was driving, like me."

  "I let Connor drive," Brooke said. "He still think my car handles like that death trap of his."

  "Why does everyone make fun of my Bug?"

  "Because it's terrible."

  Two souls shot through the wall, stopping a few feet from Tonya. They laughed and giggled, circling each other.

  "We're not late, are we? We saw the news," Ryan said. "Ah, we're not. Hi, Tonya."

  "Hi."

  "Connor. Dude, you remember Mia, my lady friend?"

  "Yes." He gestured to Brooke and Amber. "The five of us went to a movie last night, remember?"

  "Yeah, I just like saying her name."

  "Guys," Tonya said, dancing. "Are we forgetting why we're here?"

  Connor pointed to the door to the lab. "Alright, let's get started."

  Tonya and he led the way down the corridor. Brooke and Amber whispered to each other as Brooke admired her boyfriend's form. Isabel brought up the rear with Ryan and Mia.

  "Okay, Tonya, I know we've gone over this a million times. But just once more, your body will be on a table in the center of the room. When Amber tells you to, lean your head into the body, and keep it there. When you wake up, you're gonna feel sick, but your mother and I will be right there, and we'll take care of you."

  "I can't believe this is really happening. This is all legal, right? Nothing shady?"

  Connor smiled and reached back for Brooke's hand. "Nothing at all. You saw the bill pass yourself. As long as you're eighteen, you're good to go. The body is a donation." He winked at Isabel.

  They stopped outside the door to the lab.

  "I can't believe I'm gonna forget everything."

  "I know. But starting over, it can be a great thing."

  He pulled Brooke to him and kissed her passionately. She responded in kind, her head spinning. After five seconds they drew a collective groan from their audience, with the exception of Ryan, who was laughing hysterically.

  Connor opened the lab door. "Are you ready for this?"

  "You bet," Ryan said, floating forward next to Tonya. "I've always wanted to be a hot young woman."

  "Ryan, get your ass back."

  Tonya's b
ody was beautiful, custom detailed by Tonya herself, and paid for by Isabel. Connor and Kara waited outside the lab while everyone else stayed in the control room. As soon as the all-clear was given, Connor went for Tonya, while Kara readied a cup of water. Tonya was afraid at first, but after vomiting and drinking some water, embraced her mother.

  "Mom," Tonya said. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

  Connor smiled, and gave a thumbs-up to the control room. Brooke and Amber were hugging and crying, while Ryan and Mia simply flashed, floating close together. Isabel was typing at a computer, working, but had a smile stuck on her face.

  Everyone gathered in the conference room, and after five minutes of hugs and gratitude Connor and Brooke slipped away and stood in the parking lot. They held hands and watched souls fly through the blue sky, a wonderful sight. Brooke was emotional and nearly started crying once again.

  "I don't think I'll forget the look on Tonya's face as long as I live."

  "Yeah, that was pretty special."

  "I have a surprise for you."

  "Does this surprise involve two nude people?"

  "That will happen after, but that's not the surprise. What are you doing this afternoon?"

  Connor could only laugh and kiss Brooke after she pulled out a pair of baseball tickets, and tickets to a horror movie.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I live in Maryland with my wonderful wife and four cats. I love gaming, computer technology, movies, and of course, reading and writing. I love science fiction and especially horror. Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, anything supernatural, all beautiful subjects.

  I've been writing since I was twelve years old. There's just something about creating a story that I like. It's always fun to try to come up with something that hasn't been done, or is unique in some way. It's fun to build a character, give him a personality and background.

  Visit my website at http://www.glennbullion.com

  Total works by Glenn Bullion:

  Demonspawn

  Dead Living

  Mind Slide

  A Witch to Live

  Jack Kursed

  Soul Insurance