Page 6 of Living with Death

He turns, giving me a look that saysthat’snot funny, Mabel.I hit his shoulder with mine, walking to my cash register. Grabbing my trash from under it, I head out the door.

“I can get that,” Jason says.

“Thanks, but I’d like to get some air.”

I push the door open and inhale as the cool breeze sweeps across my face.

Sundown paints the sky in royal blue and Florida orange, causing the lamps in the square to blink. I walk around the building, taking the alley to where the dump is. Swatting a fly away, I open the lid, tossing the trash bag over. Wiping my hand against my slacks as I turn around, I yelp, seeing the man in the suit leaning against the side of the building.

A crow caws in the distance, and I jerk my head when he lands on the tree limb behind me.

The sun behind the building casts a shadow on the man’s face. “Can I help you?” I ask.

He doesn’t move, and my heart starts beating faster. The bird’s wings flutter, and it flies off.

“You all right back here?” Sam walks down the alley, lighting a smoke.

The man is gone.

“Did you see someone walk that way?” I ask.

She looks behind her. “Nope.”

The security light comes on behind me. “Look, I know I said I’d go with you.”

She exhales. “That didn’t take long.”

“Listen, I will some other time. I have some wallpaper to hang and paint to buy for the house.”

She inhales her cigarette and blows smoke into the air. “Fine, another time. But you’re missing out. Patty’s got mad karaoke skills.”

I smirk. “I’m sure, and I know I’ll regret not going.”

She rolls her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. “No, you won’t, but it’s okay.”

I touch her arm as I walk by. “Don’t stay out here too long. It’s getting dark.”

“Aw, Mabel. You don’t still believe in the Boogie Man, do you?”

I turn and walk backward. “The Boogie Man isn’t real, Sam. But shitty people are.”

She smiles, taking another hit of her smoke as I turn back around.

“Yes, who said?”

I freeze. “You say something?” I ask her.

She narrows her eyes. “You all right?”

I scratch the back of my head. “Yeah. Never mind.”

Patty walks up as I’m walking around the corner. “Sam back here?” she asks.

“Yeah, she’s having a smoke. Have fun tonight, and be safe.”

“We’ll be fine if I don’t drink IPAs.”

I snort and grab the ruined pumpkin.

---