Page 319 of Devil’s Disciples

117

Ghost

I pulled up to the diner. The new sign stood out against the parapet that had housed the Devil Dog Diner sign for years. Now Abby’s Place, it was only a matter of time before the establishment was going to be crawling with her loyal fans and followers.

Hashtag it’s not that bad was trending on Twitter and Instagram for two weeks following her funeral. As soon as everyone found out this was her favorite diner, the place would be a mad house.

I parked my Harley at the curb, hoping to get a plate of pancakes before the day started. For the last two weeks, my nights had been spent on the deck, watching old YouTube videos. Despite my open mind and hopeful heart, I had yet to see any sign of Abby’s existence beyond earth.

It was nice to think about, though.

An eternal life with her.

I grinned as I pushed the diner’s door open.

Lawson waved over his shoulder. “Anywhere you like.”

“George still on vacation?” I asked.

“He’ll be back Monday,” he said.

I took a seat in the booth marked, “If you’re not Abby or Porter, please be kind enough to take another seat,” and sat down.

As Lawson walked past, I gave a nod. “Short stack,” I said.

“Bacon?” he asked.

I smiled. “Please.”

I missed Abby dearly. At first, I wondered if I could continue to live, and feared I’d die of nothing short of a broken heart. Although it wasn’t easy, and I knew it never would be, it was getting manageable.

I spent my days numb to the world, and to most of those in it. I wasn’t bitter, because I knew being so wouldn’t please Abby. And, above all things, I wanted to please Abby no differently than if she was still at my side.

After finishing my pancakes, I inched to the back of the booth and glanced around the restaurant. The typical Sunday breakfast crowd was in, which filled the place completely. I peered out the window, and into the street. A tattered Volkswagen Beetle pulled up to the curb and performed an expert parallel parking maneuver.

As I mentally applauded, a dark-haired girl got out of it. She wore a flowered dress. It was one of Abby’s staples. Seeing it caused me to smile.

She flipped a backpack over her shoulder, walked to the door, and pushed it open. After scanning the diner, she let out a sigh.

Then, she began to walk in my direction.

I ducked under the partition, not wanting to be caught staring, and certainly not wanting to talk. She probably felt that my booth was empty, as I was slumped out of view.

If nothing else, she’d see the sign on the table when she walked past.

Sure enough, her shadow appeared at my side.

“Oh, shoot,” she said. “I thought this was empty.”

I shook my head without looking up. “Sorry.”

“I’m guessing you’re Porter,” she said.

I rubbed the outline of the ring that was still occupying my left pocket and offered her a smile. “I am.”

I almost choked when I saw what she was wearing on her feet.

Converse Chucks.