But she gives me a small nod, almost encouraging me to concentrate.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to move through the motions of Halloween.
When she made me put the wings on.
Then moving through the crowd feeling weightless after her touch.
Pushing through—
“Yea, there was someone talking with the guy in the Phantom mask. Pretty sure it was another man since they were about the same size?” I blink against the bright bar lights. “He was dressed up like Ghost.”
I remember now thinking it was a cool costume.
“Like, a white sheet?” Wade’s eyebrows furrow over a scowl.
My head shakes. “Nah, from Call of Duty. The video game? I guess kinda looks like the Punisher, but with tactical gear? It’s my favorite installment of the series.”
“So a skull?” Wade jots down a few notes. “Do you remember anything else?”
I know I was in a hurry to get back to Val before I saw Elena get taken out the back.
“Oh. He had a big red ring on his pinky. I thought it was weird because it didn’t go with the character.” It looked more like something the villain would wear. “When I came back inside after all the mess, that guy was gone.”
Wild.
Wade’s lips purse under his mustache. “Good job, kid. I appreciate it.” He folds up his booklet and slips it into his shirt pocket, then grabs the bag. “Thanks. I don’t know if I’ll see you on turkey day. Might stay home this year.”
“Oh. Yea, I’m not sure what I’m doing this Thanksgiving.” I swallow hard.
In the past, I’ve spent most of the day at home, but have always gone to Scotty’s in the evening so we could stay up late playing Call of Duty and hit the Black Friday deals when they pop up in the game store.
Now that he’s off to college, I doubt I will. I might make sure his mom has a package or two of fresh steaks, though. I’d always bring some as a gift.
“See y’all later.” Wade raises his food in a salute before pushing out into the frigid afternoon.
I wish there weren’t anyone else here.
Not that I know what to do with myself around Val anymore.
“Hi.” Awkwardly, I pick up the shredded napkin and step around the bar, dropping it into the bin under the lip of the counter.
“Hey. I’ve got two pizza orders ready in the back for you.” She flashes me a smile.
It looks like one of her well practiced ones.
I’m not sure what I expected when I saw her again.
But it wasn’t that she’d be standing calm and cool, slicing limes at the bar.
Like a boss, not a lover.
“I’ll just—” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder towards the kitchen.
Easier than gaping at her like an idiot, wanting to touch her but being too afraid to.
In the kitchen I feel more at ease. I know what to do in here.
Work up the orders, clean the dirty dishes, prep the bins for dinner.
