“This ok?” I ask, and when his lips twist into a slight smile, something beautiful happens to his face. But it’s gone so quickly I actually feel sad.
“You’re very literal.”
“You’re the one who interrupted my breakfast.”
He nods but doesn’t apologize, and I suspect he suddenly forgets about me. He’s far away now. I watch his face as he studies the chair, his eyes tracing each detail. The chipped paint, the frayed fabric of the seat. He reaches out and touches it, tentatively at first, and his fingers caress the back, gliding over the bumps and cracks. I fight my instinct to say something, to interrupt the awkward encounter between this stranger and a piece of cheap diner furniture. The defensive humor slips to my tongue, but catches on my lips. Again, it’s his eyes. There’s something there. Something deep. Something shattered. I’m not even sure he’s here to sit.
After a long pause, he bites his lip and backs away.
“Thank you,” he mumbles before breaking for the door and disappearing with the same impact with which he arrived. The audience is glued again, and I hear Stan mumble something about punks and hippies.
I stare after the stranger as well, maybe even with a little regret that I hadn’t been more memorable. While it’s clear I’m not part of his life, I’m suddenly afraid this odd event will make him part of mine.
My server approaches with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry. I should have warned you.”
“Warned me?” I ask, still watching the door as if he’ll return and explain the mystery so it doesn’t explode into something that will haunt me after I leave.
“Yeah. It started on Monday. You haven’t been here since. Third day in a row. Same time. Same table.”
“What do you mean? What started?”
“What you just saw.”
“He comes in and stares at this chair?”
She shrugs. “Basically. Just stands here and looks at it. He touched it today. That was new, I guess. What are we gonna do, though, right? It’s not like he’s breaking any laws. Just acting weird is all. Can’t arrest a guy for being weird. Well, unless he’s naked, too. You think I’m kidding, but that happens. At least this one is just weird.”
Weird? That word seems dissonant to me. Part of me can’t help but wonder about the weird naked guy, but just a small part. The rest is still invested in our current, clothed weirdo. No, not a weirdo. The name just doesn’t work. I would need a lot of words to describe what I’d just witnessed in those brief seconds, but “weird” isn’t one I’d choose.
“He seemed so sad.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. We get all kinds in here. None of my business as long as he doesn’t disturb the guests. Sorry if he bothered you.”
“He didn’t.”
“You want a refill?”
I nod and instinctively study the vacant chair across from me.
Day Two.
I never eat breakfast at Jemma’s two days in a row, but I knew the second I left yesterday that I’d be back. I’m not a nosy person by nature, but I am an observant one. And I certainly can’t ignore things the way a lot of people can. I sense I’m exposing myself to a world I might regret, but judging by the amount of time I’ve spent reviewing every detail of that strange encounter, I’m pretty sure I’m already stuck in it.
So I go back. Request the same table. Settle into the chair across from the important one this time. I’m grateful I have a different server, Darryn with a “y,” so he doesn’t recognize what I’m doing because I’m embarrassed for some reason. I don’t want anyone to know why I’m here. No one except the stranger, anyway. I need to know why he’s sad. Why he’s afraid. Why he’s ok being weird when he’s clearly not. I need to understand the chair.
I was very intentional in my decision to leave his chair open when I sat on the other side. I wonder if he’ll notice. I order my tea and pretend to study the menu, but really, I’m watching the door, waiting. It’s the wrong angle to view the door from this side, however, so I’m forced to scan the rest of the restaurant with each peek. I notice a few other familiar faces around the room and can’t help but wonder if they’re waiting, too. Stan is here, still too close to the entryway so he’ll be cold when the stranger enters and hesitates in the opening.
He’s a little later today. Just a couple minutes, but enough for me to think that he’s not some kind of obsessive sociopath who times his fixation on a rigid schedule. This chair routine is part of his day, but it’s not the only part of his day. I take some comfort in that, although I’m not sure why. This has nothing to do with me.
Like yesterday, the hostess doesn’t even ask him if he’d like to be seated. She knows why he’s here and watches with a vigilance that’s ready to call for help if necessary. Her hand seems poised to reach for the phone as he does his search.
And that’s when it occurs to me that he’s not searching. He knows where to go. He knows what he will find when he gets there. He’s not looking. He’s bracing.
He starts toward my table again and then stops abruptly. I can’t tell whether he’s annoyed, upset, or pleasantly surprised to discover my obvious intrusion into his life. He’s dressed similarly to yesterday, but different enough that I realize this casual style may be new to him, but it’s now permanent. As I study him with the same intensity he studies me, I also notice he’s younger than I first thought. He’s been aged, but not by time. If I had to guess, I’d say mid to late twenties. I’m terrible at guessing, though, so I decide not to.
“You’re back,” he says quietly.
I still can’t interpret his reaction.
“So are you.”
I motion toward the chair. “This might be my table, but you can have the chair.”
“Thank you.”
Oddly enough, he doesn’t even look at it today. In fact, he sits at the neighboring table as though he’s completely abandoned his mission. I’m disappointed, and again, startled by my strange reaction. I suck in my breath and grip my teacup.
“Mind if I join you?” I ask, before it actually occurs to me that’s weirder than anything he’s ever done. I kick myself.
He glances at me, but doesn’t seem nearly as surprised by my question as I am. Then I realize it’s only because he’s distracted. He doesn’t care about my question.
“Sure,” he mutters. I suspect it’s more out of politeness than a desire to allow me access to his life, and I quickly regret my impulsive request. He doesn’t really want me here, that much is obvious, but neither can I back out now in any reasonable way. At this point, I’m committed to picking up my saucer and sliding across the narrow aisle to his table.
“I’m Callie, by the way.”
“Luke.”
“You’re not from around here, are you?” I cringe.
Nice work, Callie.
There’s that brief smile again, and my embarrassing cliché is momentarily forgiven.
“No, I’m not. Are you the law in these here parts?” he teases back, and now I’m officially hooked.
“Sorry. I know. That was probably the worst thing I could have said.”
“I can think of worse.”
“Do you come here often?”
This time the slight smile becomes a full-on grin.
“As often as you, apparently,” he responds.
“You must think I’m stalking you.”
“Are you?”
“A little.” Before I can control it, my gaze shoots to the chair, and his smile fades.
I wish I could take it back. I wish I’d been strong enough to stop it, but we both know that’s why we’re here. We both know we’re connected for no other reason.
Neither of us says a word. I have no way of knowing if his mind is in the same tailspin as mine, but I sense it probably is. I’m sure his head goes to places most of us could never understand.
The server approaches and seems surprised to find us together.
“Can I get you something?” he asks Luke. I don’t
miss his quick glance in my direction, but he doesn’t let it linger long enough to force me to respond.
“Toast, please,” Luke answers.
“White, wheat, or rye?”
“Rye.”
“You got it. What about you? Still fine with just tea?”
I glance at Luke. I am, but a cup of tea isn’t long enough. “Actually, I’ll take an order of pancakes. Small stack.”
“Hash browns or fruit cup?”
“Fruit.”
“Bacon?”
“No thanks.”
“Sure thing.”
He shuffles off to fulfill our orders, and I’m suddenly nervous at the thought of being alone again with Luke. I’m nervous because he’s enigmatic, and beautiful, and sad, and debatably weird. Although clearly not as weird as I am I’ve learned.
“No bacon?” he asks.
I’m relieved he’s forgiven me for my earlier chair blunder.
“I wanted you to think I’m healthy.”
“You care what I think?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m not sure yet. Just covering my bases in case it turns out that I do.”
I’m rewarded with another smile. “Fair enough. I don’t want to know how I rate with my rye toast.”
I shrug. “I’m reserving judgment until I see what you put on it.”
This time he actually laughs, and now I’m sure he was someone else once. He would have occupied this whole restaurant wing with his fancy suits and perfect hair, surrounded by a crowd of admiring acquaintances. This is a man who wasn’t alone until recently. His magnetic laugh wouldn’t have allowed him to be alone. He must not laugh anymore.
“That’s a lot of pressure for a condiment,” he observes.
“There has to be a marketing campaign in there somewhere.”
“Maybe, but what about you? Pancakes come with many possibilities as well.”
“True. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
He nods, and I fight with my brain to keep the conversation flowing. I know if it stops, he will get lost in himself again and retreat to that place I can’t go. I don’t know why it’s so important to me that I prevent that from happening, but when I see his eyes move to the right, a small ember of panic begins to ignite. I’m losing.
“Do you live in the city?” I ask, drawing him back to earth.
He seems to have to shake something before he can respond. “No. Well, not really.”
“Just visiting?”
“Kind of. What about you?”
“Yes, I do, but I’ve only been here a few months.”
He nods. He’s being polite again. Polite does nothing to help me.
I need to bring him back to the café, this table. “You know, Stan’s been watching you like a hawk.”
“Stan?”
I motion to the table by the door with my eyes.
“Ah, yes. He’s the one who needs a jacket.”
“I think he’s amazed you actually stayed this time.”
“He’s not the only one.”
Surprised, I go to meet his gaze but he’s not looking at me. That wasn’t a flirtatious comment. He’s not even referring to me. I might be partially responsible for his shocking delay for toast, but I’m just an excuse. Maybe even a roadblock. I’m still not entirely certain he wants to be here right now. The way he fidgets with his fork and absently bounces his knee, it’s like he’s already left the café and his body doesn’t understand why it can’t catch up.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’m being rude. I don’t mean to be. I’m just…”
He doesn’t finish. He can’t. Not because he’s going to cry or anything, he’s just not good at this sort of thing anymore. Conversation.
I understand and smile to let him off the hook. He seems relieved, and I watch as his grip relaxes on the fork for the first time.
“We don’t have to talk. I’m kind of tired anyway. Late night,” I explain.
He nods and rubs his eyes as if commiserating. I can tell he knows late nights, too.
“Thanks. It’s not personal.”
“Oh? I didn’t think it was until now.”
He smiles, but his eyes aren’t in it this time. I’ve definitely lost him and know he’s counting the seconds until he can finish his toast and escape. He’s regretting this, staying, participating in life again. I feel like I’ve been whacked in the stomach but I don’t blame him. He doesn’t owe me anything. This is my fault, not his. I have mercy on him.
I look at my phone and force a curse. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize what time it was. I actually have to be at work in ten minutes,” I lie. “Don’t hate me, but I have to run.”
Our eyes do meet this time, and for the briefest moment, I think he knows what I’m doing. I don’t know how or why I think that, but he almost seems grateful for my sacrifice.
“Sure, no problem.”
“Here.” I slap some bills on the table and force the most genuine smile I can. “Breakfast is on me.”
He shakes his head, but it’s instinctive. “That’s not necessary. It’s the least I can do for making you move…twice,” he adds.
“Really. I wouldn’t feel right forcing you to pay for food I didn’t even eat. But it was nice to meet you...Luke.” The dramatic pause before his name sounds awkward, but it doesn’t seem right to leave him, maybe forever, without making our goodbye personal.
He appears to notice my embellished farewell. He almost seems disturbed by the sound of his name, like he’s not used to hearing it anymore.
“Thanks. You too. Callie.”
I grin at his pronunciation. It’s not quite right with an “a” that sounds more like an “o,” but I like it better the way he says it. Now, I don’t want to leave. I’m not sure I can, but I have to. I don’t belong here, in his world.
I get the sense no one does.
MORE
NIGHT SHIFTS BLACK
Table of Contents
Haunted Melody: A Ghost Story Contents
Prologue: 723 Maple Avenue
Chapter One: Monster
Chapter Two: Grave Lady
Chapter Three: Silent Screams
Chapter Four: Visions
Chapter Five: Rachel
Chapter Six: Caverns
Chapter Seven: Angels and Demons
Chapter Eight: Liars
Chapter Nine: Ugly, Beautiful Things
Chapter Ten: Color in the Darkness
Chapter Eleven: Left Behind
Chapter Twelve: Home
Chapter Thirteen: Walking Away
Chapter Fourteen: Miracles
Chapter Fifteen: Cravings
Chapter Sixteen: Lyrics and Lies
Chapter Seventeen: Secrets
Chapter Eighteen: Perfection
Chapter Nineteen: Arms of a Sinner
Chapter Twenty: Mystic Seasons
Chapter Twenty-One: Haunted Melody
Chapter Twenty-Two: Angel of Death
Chapter Twenty-Three: Shining
Chapter Twenty-Four: Decisions
Chapter Twenty-Five: Two Days
Chapter Twenty-Six: One Day
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Shadows and Light
Chapter Twenty-Eight: King of the Moonlight
Epilogue
More from Alyson
Playlist
Stay in Touch
Acknowledgements
Excerpt from NIGHT SHIFTS BLACK
Haunted Melody: A Ghost Story Page 22