Page 106 of Death Wish

Cole didn’t notice Wyatt standing in front of him, either. He and Sean only stared at Wyatt’s chest, looking to see if another breath would lift it again. Behind me, Kay gasped, obviously seeing Wyatt’s spirit form.

“Ah, the little lady can see me, too, huh?” Wyatt said, and tipped his hat her way.

“She’s a Medium,” I replied. “I think I told you that before.”

“You probably did.” He tapped the side of his head. “Old man memory.”

Sean and Cole stared at me.

“Are you talking to him now?” Sean asked, seeming amazed.

I nodded.

When Wyatt reached for Sean’s shoulder, his hand passed right through, and he sighed, turning to me. “I was never afraid to die, you know. I just thought it would be the cigarettes that did it.”

Despite the sadness of the situation, his wittiness still rang true.

“What is he saying?” Sean asked. “Can you tell me?”

“He says he thought it would be the cigarettes that killed him,” I repeated.

Cole sputtered a laugh. “That’s Wyatt all right.”

A flicker of a smile touched Sean’s lips. “Is he okay?”

“Better than okay,” I said.

“Not a single ache in my bones!” Wyatt twisted and stretched his arms like an athlete might do before a run to prove his point. “I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt like this.”

“What is he saying?” Sean pressed.

I looked at Kay. How did she deal with this back and forth? It was annoying.

“Make sure you bury me with my hat on,” Wyatt said. “I need my hat. It’s part of me.”

I repeated that part for Sean. His smile widened.

“You got it, Pop,” Sean said to the area next to him where Wyatt stood.

Reaching for the chalk in my back pocket, I waved Wyatt away from the others, deeper into the woods.

“What’s going on?” Sean asked. “Where are you going?”

“I have to help your father cross over.”

“Already?”

“Tell him it’s time to be strong. It’s time for me to find his mother and be with her again,” Wyatt said firmly, but I caught a glimpse of a tear in his eye.

I did.

Sean sniffed and nodded.

“Oh, and take care of Angel, and she’ll take care of him, too.”

I passed the message along. Sean patted the dog’s head. She continued to whine nervously at his side.

“I love you, kid. I’ll see you soon—but not too soon, you hear me?”

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