I cock my head. I seem to have brought up a stimulating topic. “Why do you say it like that?”
Jamie smirks as he gazes wistfully across the bar. “I’m pretty sure our barista has a massive crush.”
Oh. I didn’t realize there was something between the two. “Are they about the same age?” I ask.
“She’s twenty-five, they just turned twenty-two.” Jamie shifts to sit straighter in his seat, and I realize I’ve somehow landed myself in a tête-à-tête. “I was surprised they were interested in anyone, really,” he admits. “I’ve gotten to know Casey quite a bit since they started working for me, and I never got the impression they were interested in dating.” He pauses. “I know it’s been hard for them, finding their identity. Dealing with something like that while also having a crush is a whole new level of difficult.”
“And being a werewolf,” I add.
Jamie nods, wide-eyed, confirming I’ve made a good point. “I want them to be happy. They remind me a lot of myself. I struggled too, especially with the change. If I can make things easier for them, even just that one part, I’d like to.”
I admire Jamie for his innate ability to care for others. He thinks of everyone else before himself—a trait I wish I could say I had.
Sensing the conversation has ended, I glance around the empty bar. Maurice, the owner, makes the occasional appearance on the floor as he pretends to tidy up the place, despite no other customers coming in to make a mess. Now that I think about it, I don’t remember the last time I saw Bones packed for a sports game. In fact, I rarely see anyone here at all.
Layton makes his way back to the table. He’s pulled his loose dreads into a ponytail at the back of his head.
“Do you come here when there’s not a game on?” I ask collectively as Layton makes his way back to the table.
Layton sits down, his face screwed up in thought as he considers.
“I don’t,” Jamie says matter-of-factly, “but apparently Lay has to think about it.”
“It’s not a hard question.” I hope my tone has conveyed that I mean it as a joke.
I’m set at ease when Layton’s eyes squint and his mouth opens to let out one giant guffaw. “Damn, Aidan.” He laughs again, seemingly surprised by my ability to poke fun at him. “I was trying to remember the last time I was here, thank you very much. But to be honest, the only reason we suggested it was because Jamie’s house is off limits.”
Jamiehumsin agreement. “Raegan’s mom is there. You don’t want to be.” Layton grimaces. “You make a good point, though,” Jamie continues. “I used to stop by and get a beer after work sometimes when I was in my twenties, but I sort of just…stopped.”
“Yeah, getting older does that to you,” Layton agrees. “No use having a drink when just one will give you the feeling of having had five the next day.”
“Right? Why is that?” Jamie’s eyebrows are skyhigh, downright exuberant with demand. “All I have to do is lift one heavy thing and my back is done for the next week. I’ve had to ask Rae to cool it on the new bookshelves.”
Layton and I both shake our heads and exchange knowing looks; we’re both aware of Raegan’s love for books.
“Actually,” Jamie continues to ponder aloud, “There used to be a singer who performed here every Friday night—that ghost girl Raegan really liked.”
“Right.” Layton draws out the word as the realization dawns on him. “I heard about her. She moved on.”
“Moved on?” I ask.
Layton nods, his eyes wide in an all-knowing look. “To the afterlife. She was a ghost.”
All the ghosts I know either chose to linger on the earthly plane or are still working through their unfinished business. It’s a rare thing to meet a ghost that’s accomplished what they set out to achieve and migrated to the great beyond, whatever that may be.
“I remember because Simone took it pretty hard,” Layton adds. “They were friends.”
Having been given the perfect segue, I take the opportunity to ask about his niece. “How is she? Do you like working together?”
Layton’s face brightens. “Yeah man! Real good. I feel like she might have found her calling. She’s great with the customers, and she and Casey have gotten real tight.”
I glance quickly at Jamie who’s already looking at me. Layton doesn’t notice. His attention has turned back to the television mounted on the wall in front of us. The announcers are recapping the last play in which there was some confusion as to where the ball landed. I tune out just when Jamie and Layton tune back in, leaving me to watch Maurice wander out from behind the bartop again and start straightening chairs.
I get up and make my way to the older man.
He eyes me as I get closer, but doesn’t step back like most humans. Maurice is probably more inclined to paranormals than his own kind, given Bones is a place where everyone comes to gather. I’ve gotten the sense he’s a loner. He keeps the bar going, but I never see him outside of it, or with anyone else.
“Mr. Ward.” He nods as I approach.
