Page 73 of Dead Set on You
Rafael repeats my question.
“The holding-on is important to this person,” Helene muses. “Maybe she’s telling your friend to hang in there. I don’t knowthe specific meaning of what spirits share—that’s for their loved ones to piece tougher, and I hope it means something to you.”
It does. It meanseverything.
How often did I stay awake, wondering if she was taken care of? More times than there are stars in the sky and raindrops in the ocean. All it took was getting separated from my body to get an answer. Helene—and Rafael—gave me a gift. My big sister’sokay.
“I’m afraid I don’t know.” Helene’s voice reminds me I’ve zoned out. I blink, focusing on the present. “If she’s here with you, it means there’s something keeping her from moving on.”
They’re talking about me.
“Perhaps you must start there,” she continues, leaning on her cane.
“How do we get her tonotmove on?” Rafael asks, his voice quiet. There’s something else there, something I can’t pick apart.
Helene’s smile turns pensive. “Darlin’, I wish I had an answer for you. The world can be hard and cruel, and although it feels like centuries that my old body’s been on this earth, this is the first I’ve heard of a spirit stuck in between for so long. But I wonder …” She taps a red nail against her chin.
Rafael leans forward. I hold my breath.
This could be it. Our answer.
“Maybe she has some unfinished business. Something she didn’t get closure on or something she’s not quite ready to let go. That might be what’s going to bring her back,” Helene says.
“Unfinished business,” Rafael repeats, focused on me. Like he’s asking me.
I take a deep breath to keep the rush of anxiousness at bay.
Everything is unfinished.
“Unfortunately, I’m running late for brunch with a special someone, and I’m going to be uncharacteristically inhospitable and send you on your way,” Helene says. We both look to her. She leans on her cane as she pushes to her feet. “But you comeback, and I’ll be happy to see if I can learn a little more. I do hope you understand.”
“Of course,” Rafael says. “Thank you so much for your time.” He unfolds himself from the chair and sets the kitten down in his place. She stretches, purrs and settles back to sleep.
“She’ll certainly be happy to see you back.” Helene gestures to the kitten.
“I’ll bring treats next time,” Rafael says as he digs into his pocket and tugs out his wallet. “Please let me know how much I owe you.” He leafs through the bills.
Helene sets a hand atop his. “No need for that, young man, but if you can manage to get a hold of that wonderful tequila of Lupe’s and set it aside for the next time, we’re even.”
“It’s a deal. Thank you.”
Helene pats his arm before she hobbles toward me, passing me without so much as a twitch in my direction.
Rafael slows to a stop beside me, his eyes assessing in that disconcerting way of his. “Ready?”
I’m not, but I nod. A part of me wants to remain here and recount everything Helene told me about Annie. Another part knows I have to push forward and figure out how I’m going to stay here.Hold on,Annie said.
I glance around the room one last time before I follow Rafael out of the house and onto the lawn, taking a deep, deep breath when the sun hits my face. It’s my Annie ritual. Whenever life goes “pear shaped” (Great-Aunt Julia’s phrase) and I need Annie, I find her in sunshine.I miss you,I tell her.And I’m going to figure this out.
I feel Rafael beside me. “Listen, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that would be so …” he starts.
I spin, facing him. “It was everything,” I say truthfully. Surprise—and maybe doubt—lights his eyes. I wouldn’t have known about Annie without his stubbornness to stay here, but Ican see he needs some convincing. “I’m serious.” I hold up three fingers.
Rafael’s lips quirk. “I know what it’s like to lose someone you love, E, and I’m sorry you had to experience it.” His honesty rattles me. I blink, unsure of what to make of it, of whatever is happening between us. Showing each other these parts of ourselves. Almost like we’refriends.
You’re not friends,Pre-Coma Evie pipes up. That’s right. We’re just partners with one mission: I get back to my life. He gets my promotion.
“Thanks.” I clear my throat. “So, what’s next?”
