Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
KENNEDY
When I wake up the next morning, I’m surprised to find I’ve shifted back into my physical body. I thought relaxing my mind meant I would remain in my default state, but somehow I’ve become corporeal throughout the night.
The sky appears overcast, leaving the house dark and dreary.
It occurs to me that natural light and the glow of the fireplace are the only things giving this house life.
If I’m going to be staying here for a while, I need more from my environment than dust and cobwebs.
I wonder how much convincing it would take to get Theodore to help me spruce up the place.
Theo.
He told me to call him Theo.
There was a definite breakthrough between us last night.
I didn’t even have to pry for him to share something with me like I thought I would.
He offered a deeply personal confession all on his own.
He may have felt a little guilty about calling me out on my bluntness, but still, I never expected him to offer up what he did last night.
I may not know what he did that warrants such extreme guilt, but now I at least know why he’s shut himself inside the house all these years. It’s a definite starting point for Operation: Become Theo’s Bestie.
At the same time, I still want to continue discovering all there is to know about being a ghost. The more time I spend learning about ghost-abilities from Theo, the more I can learn about him—a quite efficient plan, if I do say so myself.
I glance down at the teddy bear PJs I summoned before going to sleep.
Now that I know I can change into practically anything I remember wearing in life, I want to start utilizing that skill more often.
Today, I feel like being comfy while on the go, so I summon a pair of corduroy checkered pants and a beige sweater.
The outfit appears immediately, and I’m surprised to see I manifested my Converse without even trying.
I’m practically a pro at this point!
As I bound down the stairs, I remember I need a coat, and a puffer jacket settles onto my shoulders.
Theodore—Theo—isn’t in the front room or the side parlor. Instead, I find him in the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets in search of something.
“Whatcha looking for?”
He jumps, and a rusted can of peas falls onto the floor. “You’re awake,” he grumbles as he leans down to pick up the can. He places it matter-of-factly on the center island and stands ungainly, unsure of what to do next. He begins methodically rubbing the top of his right hand with the other.
“I’m going to the bakery to see my sister again. I want to try eating today,” I tell him, hoping it’ll ease the awkward tension.
His brows lift. “What’s your first meal in the afterlife going to be?”
I pinch my chin and pretend to mull over the possibilities, but I’ve already decided. “I’m hoping to grab a blueberry scone from the bakery, but I also want blueberry pancakes.”
He looks intrigued. “Why blueberry?”
“It’s one of my favorite foods. Plus, I have pancakes every year on my birthday, but I died before I could have them this year.”
His ice-blue eyes glisten. “You died on your birthday?” He sounds sad.
“I think it was the day before. It sort of came back to me while I was at the bakery yesterday. I’m hoping if I go back, more stuff will come to me. And I want to spend time with my sister.”
“Okay.” Theo drums lightly on the counter with his fingers, and I realize he’s still in his physical body too. “Enjoy your pancakes then.”
“Thanks. Want me to bring you any?”
He shakes his head. “Don’t worry about me.”
I exit the kitchen with one thought at the front of my mind: someone’s got to.
I decide to walk into town instead of flying, and though it feels great to get the fresh air after being in that stuffy old house, I realize I may have underestimated my stamina. If I’m going to be spending this much time in my physical body, I might need to start doing cardio.
The cobblestone streets of Shadow Hills look like dusted sugar cookies now that the bulk of the snow has been plowed away.
The jacket was a good choice, because today is the coldest it’s been so far.
Everyone around me is layered with hoodies and coats with matching accessories, some with scarves wrapped so securely around their faces and necks that all I see are sets of eyes.
The sun feels nice as it rises higher in the sky, but it’s not enough to save the townspeople from mother nature’s bitter winter conditions.
I realize I could save myself from the elements if I shifted back to my spirit form, but clinging to my physical body feels like a safety net. Or an emotional support blanket that’s full of holes but still provides that reliable sense of safety.
Wrapping my jacket closer around me, I head straight for the bakery.
It’s early morning, but I’m not sure what time.
It might be too early for the bakery to open.
I’m not even sure what day it is, having been disconnected from technology since my death.
I wish I knew where Claudia’s house was so I could just go there.
Just as I feared, there’s a closed sign hanging on the inside of the door when I approach.
I linger awkwardly on the sidewalk, unsure of what to do, but I’m not alone for long.
Walking up the street from the roundabout is Raegan and another woman.
They’re chatting animatedly about something and almost don’t notice me, but then I catch Raegan’s eye.
She greets me cheerfully. “Kennedy! It’s good to see you again.”
I smile at her warmly and give a little wave. “Hi.”
“Are you waiting for the bakery to open?” she asks, noticing where I’ve planted myself beside the door.
“Yeah, I’m actually just…well, it’s a long story…” I trail off, unsure if I want to unload the news about finding my sister so out of the blue, then reconsider. “I was going to get breakfast.”
“Us too,” the other woman says. “I’m Joanna. We haven’t met officially, but I was at your seance, and it was super cool.”
She offers her hand for me to shake, and I take it without knowing what to say. I just nod along and keep smiling, hoping that’s enough.
Raegan sort of nudges her in the side, and Joanna retracts her hand. “Not that it was a spectacle or anything. It was just neat. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“It’s okay,” I tell her with a smile. “I get it.” I gesture to the buildings around us. “Small town.”
“No kidding,” Raegan says with a scoff. “Unfortunately, you’re the most exciting thing to happen around here in a while.
” The corner of her mouth lifts in a reassuring grin.
“There were about twenty more people from town who wanted to be there when you were summoned, and we had to shoo them away. But we made sure everyone left you alone until you were fully acclimated. No one’s bothered you, have they? ”
I shake my head. “It’s just been me and Theo.”
Raegan lets out a breath of relief. “Oh, good.”
“Simone stopped by to check on me that first night,” I add. “And I saw her last night in the woods while she was foraging. But she’s been great.”
“She’s meeting us for breakfast!” Joanna announces. “You should come!”
“Yes, please come with us,” Raegan insists, before pausing. “But only if you want to. If you’re ready.”
I hadn’t planned on throwing myself into the community so soon, but what’s the harm in a little small talk over breakfast? These women have been compassionate and so understanding of my situation. I should give them a chance. It would be nice to not feel so alone.
“Sure,” I agree with a shrug. “Why not?”
They both clap and let out cheers of enthusiasm.
We cross the street and walk to Kiki’s Cafe.
As I follow behind them, I’m captivated by the warm light emanating from the small diner-like establishment.
With so much cloud cover, the street lights are still lit, but there’s nothing near as bright as the lamps hanging from the ceiling inside.
Walking through the door, I’m instantly warmer.
Not only does the bitter cold remain outside, but the atmosphere is enough to make me feel like I’m being wrapped in a crocheted blanket.
It has the same decor as when I was a kid—something I hadn’t noticed when I first appeared here, but given the seriousness of the situation, I can understand why I didn’t.
Now I can take my time observing all the old photos on the walls.
Various town events throughout the years, like fall festivals and holiday markets, are hung in black frames.
Some feature different people in town, but most are of the two sisters and their families.
Raegan and Joanna slide into a vinyl booth and I join them on the opposite side. There’s a television on the back wall that’s set to a local news channel. The date in the corner of the screen reads December fifth. Almost one week has passed since I died, yet somehow it feels like years.
There’s a laminated list with all this month’s specials on the table when we sit. I grab it and peruse the options.
“Do you know if they have blueberry pancakes here?” I ask, not looking up from the sign.
Joanna responds. “They definitely have pancakes, and I’m pretty sure Kiki can add any kind of topping you like.”
I glance up in time to see her waving someone over to the table. I turn to find Simone hustling toward us.
“Hey!” she greets us between gasps for air. “Sorry I’m late. I stayed at the coven house last night, and sharing a bathroom with four other girls is a nightmare.”
“No worries. We just got here,” Raegan tells her.
Simone takes the space next to me and starts digging in her magenta bag. She pulls out a miniature bottle of water and chugs the entire thing.
“Slow down,” Joanna says. “Don’t drown yourself.”
“I forgot my emotional support water bottle, and I’ve been parched since I left the house.”
We all laugh, and Simone places her bag between us on the seat.