Page 33 of Living with Death

I pick up my glass and drink a big gulp. Wanting to change the subject, I say, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“I find it hard to understand.” I slide my fork over. “You’ve been here since the beginning of time, and you’ve never been curious? Have you never wanted to taste our food or feel the rain?” I keep my voice low so others don’t hear.

He places his glass down, running his finger over the side. “I don’t dwell in the Living Realm.”

“So, you stay in the In-Between?”

“Hmm, and other places. There’s never been any purpose for me to walk among the living.” He licks his bottom lip, looking down at the table.

“But now there is?”

His eyes glow. “Now I want to.”

The server walks up with our food. “Anything else I can get for you?”

Azrael looks at me, his eyes no longer glowing. I shake my head.

“No, thank you,” he says to the server.

I pick up my fork and knife. “Can I ask you something else?”

He smiles. “Why not?”

I bite my bottom lip. “Is this your normal body?”

“This is my human form.”

“Human form,” I repeat the words lowly. “What’s your other form?”

“It’s different but similar to this.”

I scratch the side of my neck, my eyes darting around the room, making sure no one has heard our conversation. I still wonder, however. Azrael’s existed all this time. Why now? Why does he now want to walk among the living? But I don’t ask. I decide to save that one for another time.

He cuts his fish and places it into his mouth, shutting his eyes and chewing slowly. It’s fried golden with a side of malt vinegar. I pick up a lemon slice and squirt it over, and I can’t help but smile at his reaction. Witnessing him try all these things for the first time is, well, it’s delightful.

“Enough about me. Let’s talk about you.”

“What about me?”

“Why do you work at the grocery store when you don’t have to?”

“I enjoy it.”

“Hmm,” he says thoughtfully. He takes another bite, chewing before he says, “Do you prefer coffee or tea?”

“I prefer coffee. Black.”

“Favorite book?”

I laugh. “There’s no way I could answer that.”

He smiles. “Favorite movie?”

“Eh…depends on the time of year.”

He nods. “Let’s go with this time.”

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