He lifts hishead. “I would have told you, but you were in a bit of a rush to leave this morning. Ithoughtmaybeyouwould have had more questionsfor me, but youseemed to haveother plans.”
It occurs to me that I may have hurt Theodore’s feelings by not speaking with him before I left. Now that I think about it, I am technically a guest in his house, and coming and going withouttelling himis a little rude.
“Sorry, I was just excited to start exploring,” I apologize. “Idohave questions.Lots, actually.”
“Alright.” He shoves his hands into his trousers and begins walking back in the direction of which he came.He turns to look back at me.“What else would you like to know?”
I hover beside him as he treads carefully over the frozen ground. His steps look slightly unsure.Perhaps it’sbeen a while sincehe’sused his physical legs.
“I was wondering about…clothes.”
He eyes me dubiously from his peripheral vision. “You wear them.” Then he takes me in fromhead totoe, gradually scanning the length of my entire body, causing a tingle in my belly. “But it looks like you’ve got that part figured out.”
A chill races down my spine from the heat of his stare. Even if Iweren’tcurrently transparent, his eyes looked as if they could see right through me.I’mso caught off guard that Idon’teven call him out on making fun of me.
“I want to know how to change them,” I clarify. “Why am I still stuck in the same sweater and jeans I died in?”
He gives me a knowing look. “Why do you think so?”
I think about it for a moment and realize what he’s insinuating.
I have to want it.
“But if it’s like shifting forms, then why hasn’t it worked yet? I’ve definitely thought about changing clothes, and Iwantto do it.”
“Have you thought about what you want to wear?” he asks bluntly.
No. I haven’t.
Wow, being dead really is all about the details.
I pause inplaceand Theodore stops ahead of me, turning to watch. I close my eyes, imagining the comfiest outfit I owned—the one I really want to wear. Idon’tfeel anything happening on my body, but as I peek one eye open, I see the sweater is gone. Only,I’mnot wearing the red flannel and black leggings Iwas picturing. Instead,I’vegot ona matching set of teddy bear pajamas!
My cheeks flame, but Theodore is smiling.I’veeven managed to summon my fuzzy pink slippers, andthey’vecertainly captured his attention.
“Oh my god.” I cross my arms, doing absolutely nothing to hide myself, butI’mso embarrassed Idon’tknow what else to do. “This was not what I had in mind.”
Theodore chuckles. “Your subconscious must have had other plans. Try again, and remember,it’sabout what youwantto happen.”
I close my eyes again and focus even harder this time. Clearly mytrue desirewas to go to bed, butthat’snot whatI’mtrying toaccomplishright now. I bring the outfit to the front of my mind and imagine how it would feel on my body. The form-fitting leggings that provide support and comfort, the flannelthat’sbeen worn so often, thefabric is super soft, and the basic cropped tank that goes with everything.
This time, I can feel that it worked. My eyes shoot open and I spin around, squealing excitedlytomyself. “I did it!”
Theodore’s smile stretches to the corners of his eyes now. “You did.”
“Does this mean I can change other things too?” Iask,a million possibilitiesswimmingthrough my head. “Can I change my hair?”
He blowsair through his nose and shakes his head. “Ifyou’reasking to go blonde, then no. You can only access what you had in life.”
“Eh,” I let out with a shrug. “It was worth a shot.”
We continue our walk through the barren trees untilIfinallyspot the top turret of Theodore’s house just ahead.With the house comesa fresh wave of exhaustioncrashingover me. All that shifting back and forth must really be catching up with me. My subconscious clearly knew something Ididn’t.
Theodore and I continue toward the house side by side, himwalking slowlyand mehovering to match his speed. When we reach the porch, another awkward silence stretches between us, but Idon’tlet it settle.
“I think I’m goingto golie down,” I suggest. “Going into town took a lot out of me.”
He nods knowingly. “Of course.”
