Forsomeone so initially outspoken, judging from our first encounter outside of theshow, she was certainly acting clueless now, and that made me smile.
“Goingout with me.”
“Oh.”She sighed, blowing a breath into the phone. “Y-Yeah. I’d like that.”
“Cool,”I replied smoothly, as if my stomach wasn’t flopping around with nauseatingexcitement. “One of my only friends has this bar I like to chill at sometimes,if you’re into that. He gives me a discount on wings and charges me nothing fora glass of Coke.”
Andylaughed, easy and light. “So, you’re a cheap date, huh?”
Ishrugged. “Well, I don’t drink and I’m pretty easy when it comes to food. Butif you had somewhere else in mind, that’s—”
“No.Wings and Coke sound good,” she interjected gently.
“Cool,”I repeated, relaxing against the building and realizing I hadn’t worried aboutPops since dialing her number.
CHAPTEREIGHT
ANDREA
Whenhad I last been on a date? I actually couldn't remember, and as I stared at myopen closet, I thought about how pathetic that was. Nothing hanging or foldedon the shelves was what I’d consider date appropriate, and I wanted to kickmyself for not having the foresight to be at least a little prepared for thesituation.
Butthen again, why would I have ever thought to prepare for this?
Iplucked out a drab-looking floral dress that I’d worn to my grandmother’sfuneral some years ago. There was still a stain over the right breast fromwhere I’d dripped a blob of barbeque sauce, and it was the nicest thing Iowned.
Inarrowed my eyes at the little heart-shaped mark and remembered the meal thathad put it there. “Those were really good ribs,” I muttered, glancing inJamie’s direction. She rolled her eyes and cocked her head, eyeing meexhaustedly with her hands on her hips. “What? They were.”
Overthe years, I’d learned to listen through the silence, and right now, Jamie wastired of my procrastination.
“Whatam I supposed to wear?” I asked, throwing the dress into the closet and notcaring as it dropped unceremoniously to the floor. “I mean, we’re just going toa freakin’ bar, so how fancy do I really have to get?”
Jamieheld up a hand, waggling it a bit in the air.
“I’mnot saying I’m gonna wear my scrubs,” I replied dryly. “I’m just saying, it’s abar. I don’t need a freakin’ ball gown.”
Shedropped her gaze to my old, nearly-see through pajamas, and smirked.
“Knockit off,” I laughed boisterously. “I’m not wearing these either! But seriously,I have nothing to wear and I don’t have time to go buy anything. I’m meetinghim at this place in just a few hours.”
Eversince I was a little girl and started to interact with the dearly departed, Ihad quickly learned that there was something keeping them tethered to the landof the living and prevented them from passing through the veil. Sometimes, itwas a message they needed to give a loved one, other times, they were here tohelp someone pass into the next life. Often, it was easy enough to figure itout, like in the case of Mrs. Schrieber’s husband, who had been lingering byher bedside until the very moment she allowed her soul to let go. And althoughI despised not having a choice in possessing this gift, if I could even call itthat, it was simple enough to help them leave.
ButJamie was another story. She never left, and while I sometimes wondered aboutthat, I was also grateful to have a constant friend. One I didn’t have to hidefrom. And right now, I was grateful for her assistance, as she walked acrossthe room to my dresser and pointed to a picture of my sisters and me. Smiling,I shot her a steady thumbs-up and grabbed my phone.
***
Willaand Meredith had no problem ditching their husbands and kids to rush over withoutfit options. It was an unusual occurrence for me to request date advice, sothey had jumped eagerly at the opportunity.
“She’sgoing to a bar, Mer, not a rave.” Willa explained as she held up a skirt,embellished with reflective piping along the seams.
“Yeah,okay, and she’s not going to a goddamn tea party, either.” Meredith picked upWilla’s floral chiffon top with ruffled sleeves and tossed it on the floor.
“Oh,my God,” I muttered, dragging my hands down the sides of my face. “Remind me tonever call you guys for help again.”
“Okay,okay,” Meredith said, holding up her hands in surrender. “We’ll take itseriously. So, what do you know about this bar?”
Ifrowned. “Well … I mean, I know they, uh, they serve alcohol, and …”
“Youknow nothing about it,” Willa stated astutely and pulled her phone out of herjeans. “What was the name of it?”
