Page 30 of Stars and Scars

“Number one: More bodies means more logistics problems with keeping you all safe. Number two: I haven’t vetted your team members, and one of them could be involved with the Order, even if they are not aware of it. Number three, the presence of other people will be a distraction and might make me miss an actual threat. Number four…”

“Okay, okay.”

I hold up my hands in defeat.

“You totally win, Grayson. Geez, you must be a nightmare to play poker with.”

His eyes light up. “I’m all right. Do you play much poker?”

“Yes, when I get the chance. My parents and I used to play with each other, using oatmeal raisin cookies instead of chips.”

“You played with your parents?”

I nod. “Yeah. They were always so tired from working all those hours, they really couldn’t get out and do much. So we made time for each other in ways that allowed us to stay home.”

“That sounds nice.”

The words sound so weird coming out of Grayson the Ghost’s mouth that I almost laugh. But I don’t want him to think I’m mocking him, right when he’s finally acting more like an actual human.

“It was. We had a lot of good times around that table.”

I laugh as a memory springs up into my mind.

“My father would always pretend to be the world’s worst card shark. Like if I had a pair of twos, he’d be like…”

I make my voice gravelly and full of rage.

“A pair of deuces? Nobody’s THAT lucky!”

I pantomime tipping the table over and punctuate with a growl.

Grayson’s lips twitch, then a little burble comes out of the corner of his mouth. Then he stops trying to be stoic and just gives in to the laugh, showing me his teeth in a smile for the first time. He catches me smiling at him and stops.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just like to hear you laugh. It seems to be more rare than a Boomer on Tik Tok.”

He stares blankly. “I’ll just assume you said something to the effect of I don’t laugh much.”

“Pretty much. Am I right?”

His shoulders sag, and sadness lurks behind his compelling silver eyes.

“I used to laugh a lot more. My sister, she could always make me laugh.”

I sense a tragedy. I hate to pry, but I’m also dying to know.

“Um, where is she now? If you don’t mind me asking.”

He looks up at me, pain furrowing his brow. I already know the answer before he even speaks.

“She died.”

He turns and goes toward the door.

“I’m sorry–”

“I need to check the perimeter. Stay put. Don’t let anyone in.”

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