To Love A Ghost || ONC 2023 Shortlist

Epilogue

Almost one year later

"So...it says here you like coffee and books," I said, glancing up from the paper application I'd glanced over while the prospective employee seated across my messy desk fidgeted anxiously. "It's certainly helpful if you personally like the products we sell."

"Yes, sir," the young man enthused. "I'm kind of a bookworm, and to me, coffee and books are a perfect combination. Like peanut butter and jelly, y'know?"

I smirked, remembering Daniel expressing the same sentiment when I'd told him of my plans for the shop. "I couldn't agree more." I set the application on my desk where it would likely disappear in the mess I hadn't had time to organize. I'd decided to hire this kid five minutes into the interview, but I had let him sweat it out a bit while asking questions, hemming and hawing a bit to gauge his interest in the job.

 "So. As I mentioned in the ad, I'm looking for someone to work part-time, at least to begin with. Afternoons, early evenings, maybe one long weekend day. Since you're still in school, I imagine that works for you, too?" At the boy's eager nod, I smiled. "Okay. Why don't I take you back behind the coffee bar so you can get a feel for what you'd be doing."

"Sure thing, Mr. Palmer," the kid nodded his tousled blond head, a shade or two darker than Daniel's, and he followed me out of the office.

Just then the back door swung inward and Daniel walked in with a large flat cake box in his hands and a gust of wind behind him, followed by a swirl of  crispy fall leaves. It was unseasonably cold out, even for late October in Central Wisconsin, and the breeze that blew in behind Daniel carried the telltale scent of imminent snowfall. I hoped it would hold off. I wasn't ready for winter yet.

"Here are those quiche cups you ordered," Daniel said, indicating the box he held. Noticing the teenager with me, he added, "I'll put them away since you're busy."

"Thanks, Daniel," I agreed. "Oh, by the way, this is Tate Anderson, our new employee." Meeting Tate's wide smile with one of my own, I continued, "Tate, this is Daniel. My partner." I didn't specify what type of partner.

"Hey. Nice to meet you, Daniel," Tate said, putting out his hand. 

"Hello, Tate. I've seen you come in with your friends before, though we've never formally met." Balancing the box in his other hand, Daniel took Tate's hand and gave it a firm shake. "I apologize for my hands being so cold," he added, using the standard excuse he'd used with everyone he shook hands with. "It's freezing out there." His eyes flitted to me and he gave me an almost imperceptible wink.

"And you went out there without your jacket and gloves, which doesn't help," I scolded.

"I was in a rush and forgot again," Daniel said sheepishly.

Yeah. That's easy to do for a person who can't feel heat or cold, I thought. Last February, Daniel had gone down the street to pick up my lunch at Art's while wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants when it was nearly twenty degrees below zero. Not exactly the best way to blend into the living world, as I told him when he'd returned. 

I couldn't really blame him, though. Although he couldn't feel the cold, he could now enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine whenever he wanted, and he did so every chance he could.

We'd discovered that Daniel had been freed from being confined to Roselawn Manor and my building quite unexpectedly. It had been our first Halloween together, just a couple of days after Next Chapter Brews and Books opened. When I'd awoken that morning, Daniel had been bursting with excitement. And he'd changed...his skin had gained some healthy color, the deep shadows under his eyes were gone, and his skin was as warm as mine. He looked incredible, and so beautiful I wanted to cry.