Page 45 of All Your Tomorrows

She reached into her handbag at her side and pulled out a folded red T-shirt.

“May I?”

She slowly handed it over to me. I placed my hand on it, as if testing it for a pulse, and closed my eyes. I knew he wouldn’t materialize like other spirits did because he didn’t seem to work like that. He’d walk through the door.

“It still smells like him,” Melanie said.

I lifted it to my nose and the faint scent of cologne still lingered on the material. “What cologne is that?”

“He only wore Polo,” she said.

If she wasn’t sitting there watching me, I would have smelled it for longer. I’d wondered what he smelled like. “Does this shirt mean anything?”

“I got pushed into a pool at a party and needed something to wear. He took off his shirt for me. I never gave it back.”

I pushed aside my jealousy knowing that was the kind of guy he was.

“Is he here?” she asked.

I looked around the area just to be sure, but he hadn’t appeared. “I told you. I’m not sure this can work since he’s still alive.”

“Not really.”

The way she said it turned my stomach. “Have you tried talking to him?” I asked.

“What’s the point?”

I tried to hide my disgust. “The point is he may be able to hear you.”

“Well, he doesn’t speak, so I’ll never know.”

“They say regaling stories and familiar voices can speed up recovery in comatose patients.”

“So, now you’re a doctor?” she said.

“All I’m saying is maybe a medium isn’t what you need.”

She snatched his shirt from my hand. “I knew you’d be a scammer.” She jumped to her feet and stormed out.

“Wow,” Daci said, poking her head through the curtains. “I’ve seen them leave crying their eyes out. But never storming out.”

I laughed. “You don’t know the half.”

She walked into my area and sat in the chair Melanie just vacated. “Try me.”

“Her boyfriend is in a coma,” I explained.

Her brows furrowed. “If he’s not dead, what did she expect from you?”

I leaned in, lowering my voice in case Melanie returned. “I’ve seen him.”

“Is that a first for you?” Daci asked.

I nodded. “I thought he was dead when he first showed up.Hedidn’t even know he was still alive.”

“So, he’s stuck in limbo?” she asked.

“He has unfinished business. And, he doesn’t want to cross over.”

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