Ghost Sensitivity Training

CHAPTER ONE

ALEXEI

     Inside the Starbucks that sits on the corner I must pass to get home things have become quite the shit storm. (Not a must because there are no alternate routes but a must because I must because to defer, to take an alternate route, is unfathomable.)

     Shittier, I think, then the shit storm that is the morning rush. Shittier, I think, than Dunkin coffee.

     It isn't even time for coffee. It's time for bed. Reason is not what made me stop in. It was something else completely. I hated the feeling of being tired but I had a hard time finding sleep most days.

    Chaos. Chaos is what called to me, dragged me through the door, pinned me to my spot in the ever-growing line. Chaos and the pale boy behind the bar who was getting off on creating it.

SINCLAIR

      In true Sinclair fashion, I stop by the Starbucks with every intention of helping. I was a server in another life. I understand the strife.

     "Don't even bother, man," I call to the guy who walks in and makes a displeased face at the line zigzagging across the store. Despite the chaos, the line continues to grow and those in it remain steadfast in their, granted highly agitated, waiting.

     Whistling, I stroll past Candace, who's working the register. Just as I'm passing, the money drawer opens. Before she can move to grab the customer's change, I slap it shut.

     She stares at the machine, wide eyed and confused. She's pretty, with two bleached money pieces framing her face and a pouty injected lip that could pass for natural. She's frazzled and trying not to appear it as she winces and says, "Sorry. It's been acting weird all day."

     It hasn't been acting weird all day, just since I showed up. But if I've learned anything in death its that human instinct is to rationalize the inexplicable.

     Charlie is on the bar, drenching his white shirt in yellow sweat stains as he moves to keep up with the orders coming his way. Megan is helping him, working on the hot drinks. The pair keep casting frantic glances at the ever-growing line.

     "They're not going to disappear, I can promise you that," I say as I wraps my hand around the whip cream canister and start spraying it into the air. Charlie cries out, swiping at the can so it goes flying off the bar towards the line of customers.

     He looks up at them with an expression of shock. There's whip cream all over the front of his green apron. The customers aren't amused, glaring at him.

     "What the hell, Charlie?" Megan barks, glancing at him. 

     "I have no clue what just happened," he squawks, going back to the iced latte he was working on.

     "You guys need to pick up the pace," Candace snaps. "This is ridiculous."

     "Maybe this wouldn't be a problem if someone hadn't put practically everything in the wrong place," Megan retorts.

     I raise my hand. "That someone would be me."

     Charlie makes a strained sound as he slides some drinks onto the counter towards the customers. Candace shoves more cups his way.

     "You guys look stressed," I say next, grinning at the three. "Don't worry, I can totally help out."

    I step through Charlie, moving to the end of the counter where I can flip the nozzle on the iced coffee, watching as it pools on the counter and then pours onto the floor in a rapid stream.