by Kipjo Ewers
The question did not change.
“It was only a thousand bucks every one or two months,” he shrugged. “What else was I supposed to do with it?”
“Save it. Spend it. Invest it. Not give it away to my fucking sister who has a deadbeat fucking husband to provide for her!”
“It’s not my money,” he answered flatly.
“Why, because I was the one that earned it?” she blared. “I willed my royalties to you Fred, my husband. If I wanted my money to go to my family, I would have written my will that way.”
“Yeah about that,” Fred’s face displayed his irritation. “Why the hell did you have a will, and I not know about it? Is there something I should have known?”
Silence came in and scared the chill out of the room, as her apparent plan of attack had backfired. The irritation on of her face disappeared as she sat meekly thinking of a way to explain herself.
“Before I signed the contract for my first novel, I went to see a lawyer remember? One of the questions I asked was if something happened to me, what would happen to my book and all of the royalties I would get from it. He said the publishing house would retain all rights and royalties unless I had it both written in my contract, and created a will declaring that upon my death, you and/or any children we should have would retain all creative rights to it and any future works I create. That also means receiving all royalties pertaining to the books for as long as they were published. I was doing the responsible thing, and looking out for you and our future family.”
“And this was something you didn’t think you should have discussed with me?” Fred threw his hands up.
“I was going to tell you,” she answered. “It’s not an easy subject to bring up, especially with you who talked about us going into our eighties. I was just being careful, and responsible. I never expected to have to …”
She lowered her head as the chill came back into the room. Mary held a hand up and shook her head stopping Fred from taking a step forward. She did not want to be held or consoled.
“That no longer matters,” she continued. “What is important is I didn’t slave away on those books while you supported the both of us for you to give away to our royalties to my sister of all people. That is your money because you were the only one who believed that I could be a writer, no one else.”
“I would rather have …” his eyes became glassy.
“Do not say it.”
The sternness on her face read she had enough of the pity party, and she wished to move on. Fred complied by painfully swallowing up his heartache for her.
“It will change nothing. You currently have over two hundred thousand dollars of a five-year royalty contract, with more to come. What is it you want to do?”
Fred shook his head while wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
“I don’t know.”
“I do,” she answered. “We’re going to a dealership.”
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The next day, Fred wheeled his wife’s doll body around a Jeep and Dodge dealership.
To his great reluctance and attachment to his current car, he agreed that an automotive upgrade was due. For the majority of the night, they feverishly debated which line and model they wanted as their next major purchase.
Mary wanted high-end and fully loaded, which she argued would entail a lengthy and robust warranty and maintenance package, while Fred preferred affordability and something that wasn’t going to send his insurance through the roof. They both agreed on a lease option.
Fred won the final decision by arguing that like the Altima, he would be stuck with the task of gassing, cleaning, and making sure it was serviced.
Although she conceded, Fred paid heavily for his victory that night. He was fine shelling out his food and weathered her ignoring him for the remainder of the evening as she walked about the place slamming doors and drawers while he attempted to watch television. It was her ice-cold treatment during bedtime that he considered low brow.
Before bed, she purposely brought out the one outfit that got all of his blood pumping downward when she put it on. A simple old rabbit themed pajama onesie with hood and ears that she had from college, its appeal to him was the butt flap that opened with just two buttons.
She made sure he saw her put it on with no underwear underneath.
During the nighttime as he attempted to spoon her and get at the flap, she used her ghostly abilities to boot him off and almost out of bed. She then ensured that the bedroom was extra chilly for the rest of the night.
A flustered Fred got no loving or sleep that night.
Fred also did not win the argument of bringing her doll body outside in the middle of daylight. To her it was simple. It was her money along with the trade-in of the Altima helping to get the new vehicle, she was not going to miss the purchase and the driving of their first brand new vehicle off the lot, and unless he wanted more of last night’s treatment, it was in his best interest to comply.
Getting downstairs was pretty easy considering she had the supernatural ability to see where everyone was within the building to prevent any run-ins. She quietly walked down the steps in her new blue low neck Bodycon dress and wedge heels, while Fred carried the wheelchair.
Before they got outside, she threw on some dark shades and sat down allowing Fred to wheel her out to the car. To anyone looking from afar, they appeared to be a regular couple.
Fred’s anxiety, however, was not eased. Although the doll looked incredibly realistic from a distance and could throw a person off at first glance, an up-close inspection could easily unravel the subterfuge and subject Fred to the awkward stares he did not want to see.
During the quiet drive to the dealership, he stopped making it about himself. He sensed her sadness as she stared out the window of their old vehicle at the world of the living.
He flicked on some music and took her hand caressing it as he made himself a promise to make her first new car purchasing experience a memorable moment for her.
As they arrived at the San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, he did not hesitate when he took her out of the car and wheeled her around. He forced himself to have a conversation with her as they inspected each model.
Their decision came down to the Dodge Durango and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“So, what do you think?” Fred gestured to two of their picks.
“We have Mercedes Benz money, Fred,” she snapped into his wireless earpiece. “What do you think I think?”
“We discussed last night why we’re not buying a Benz,” Fred rolled his eyes.
“Because my husband is el cheapo.”
“Both vehicles offer practically the same amenities as a Mercedes at a far more affordable price range without the fear of being carjacked, and I am also compromising on us getting the luxury package.”
“Still not a Benz,” she pouted.
“Mary Wilma Garrett, pick a vehicle,” he ordered her with a scolding tone.
“Let me see inside the Durango,” she commanded.
Wheeling her to the oversized SUV, he opened the door, adjusted the seat, and picked her up placing her on the driver side. As he shielded her from any onlooker, she began to run her hands across the steering wheel and leather of the vehicle.
Fred stiffened his jaw and manned up as he watched her pretending to go through the motions of an ordinary woman buying her first car with her husband.
“It’s not bad,” she shrugged. “This is the Citadel, right?”
“Yep,” he nodded, “Can get it fully loaded and under forty-five thousand.”
“If you keep quoting numbers to me Fred, I’m going to deck you.” She warned him. “Take me to the Grand Cherokee.”
He repeated the process taking her over to the Jeep two vehicles down.
He could already tell by her mannerism which car she wanted.
“I want this in the Overland, fully loaded, with t
he brown and light frost interior and velvet red pearl coat for the chassis.”
“Red? I thought we …”
She turned giving him a look underneath her shades all women gave their men when they are trying their patience.
“Velvet red pearl is fine by me.” Fred held up his hands.
“Shit, someone’s coming,” Mary informed him.
Fred muttered a curse under his breath as he realized it was too late to take her out of the driver’s seat. He turned to see a sales representative on the hunt trotting over to them.
“Hello, my name is Jacob!” The bubbly young man beamed. “Are you and your wife interested in the Grand Cherokee? I can get you quite a deal, especially if you’re trading in your current vehicle. Are you looking to finance or …”?
Jacob’s bubbly attitude stopped as he noticed an extremely still Mrs. Garrett within the driver seat of the vehicle was not a human being.
“Is that a doll?” He swallowed. “What’s going …?”
“Jacob, right?” Fred got in his face with a stern grin. “Listen, three things you need to know before you utter another word. I have excellent credit, I fully intend to drive out of here with a brand new fully loaded vehicle today, and sitting in the driver’s seat …is my wife. Now how long have you been on the job?”
“This is my second month,” Jacob admitted.
“Well Jacob, you have the opportunity to make an incredibly sizable sale in the next hour on your second month, if you accept all three things that I just said to you. All you have to do is head back inside to your desk, and run my credit.”
Jacob did one quick glance over Fred’s shoulder, before locking eyes with him again.
“I will be more than happy to help you and your wife’s purchase of your next vehicle Mr. …”
“Garret, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett.”
Without any further hesitation, Jacob pulled out a pen and pad from his pocket.
“Just need your driver’s license and social security number.”
She waited for Fred to complete the transaction, and for the young man to trot from whence, he came to begin the process. As he neared her, she made sure to turn looking him in the eyes as she said it.
“Thank you.”
He answered her with a soft passionate kiss on her lips before lifting her out the Jeep.
“Come on; let’s go buy us a new car.”
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True to his word, Fred drove their brand new fully loaded vehicle off the lot. There were two models left they got to pick. Once Jacob confirmed that all Fred told him was true and he had a sale in his jaws, he spared no expense to make him and Mary’s car buying experience as comfortable as possible.
He borrowed his manager’s office to shield them from the weird stares they would have gotten on the open floor, and he made sure to include the late Mrs. Garrett in the conversation.
Unbeknownst to him, she would ask Fred to ask him questions via his earpiece, and Fred would relay her concerns to him. Jacob eager to close answered them with nil hesitation.
After securing Mary in the passenger seat, Fred turned to thank Jacob for playing along.
“Thank you for the purchase, Mr. Garrett; you made this job fun today, I hope you and Mrs. Garrett enjoy your new vehicle,” was all Jacob said with a bright smile as he shook his hand.
Several blocks away from the dealership, Fred pulled over and removed his seat belt.
“What are you doing?” Mary inquired.
“It’s your new car too,” he smiled. “You drive.”
“Fred stop, I’m not driving.”
“Then we’re going to be sitting here for awhile,” he huffed.
“Fred, we bought our first new car, that is enough.”
“I have seen you cook dinner, clean the house, do laundry, and shop on the web,” he sternly informed her. “Not only do you have full control of that body, but you can see everything. All you have to do is climb over and get in the driver’s seat while I walk to the passenger’s side.”
With a head nod, she agreed.
Fred jumped out of the vehicle rushing to the other side. As he hopped in strapping in, he watched as she adjusted the seat and side mirrors, and turned the radio to her favorite FM channel.
A wave of emotions filled him as she placed her foot on the brake, nudged the shifter to drive, hit her turn signal, and then gave it some gas slowly pulled out.
Fred fought with his tear ducts again as he witnessed a genuine bright smile form on her face. He distracted himself by tapping the camera function on his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking a selfie,” He grinned. “I want to remember this.”
She rolled her eyes for the first one but turned to pose for the last two before he settled into his seat to look at them.
“So where do you want to go Mr. Garrett?”
“You’re behind the wheel, Mrs. Garrett.” He beamed at her, “Wherever you want to go.”
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After an hour and half of driving around town and stopping for Fred to get ice coffee, they ended up sitting on their favorite park bench watching the world go past them. In the midst of it, they lightly discussed the look on Jacob’s face and what he must have been thinking throughout the sale of the car.
Her comical recreation of what must have been going on in his head had Fred hobbled over and cracked up with laughter.
As the humor died down, an uncomfortable thought seeped into his brain which was telegraphed by his demeanor.
“What are you thinking Fred?”
“I want to ask you some questions,” he said softly. “But know that you’re not obligated to answer any of them.”
“Okay.”
“Have you met or spoken to anyone that we know where you are?”
“No,” she answered. “And I have searched. I believe they’ve all passed on.”
“Where you are,” he turned to her. “Are you scared?”
His throat became dry as it felt like a million light years before she answered.
“Sometimes.”
“Are you in a bad place?”
“No, not really.”
“Are you in danger?” was his next question.
“No, those who see the light are never in danger.” She assured him.
A shower of relief washed over him. However, her answer guided his next uncomfortable question.
“What about those …who don’t see the light?” He swallowed.
“This is where we change the subject,” she said immediately.
He nodded with a stomach full of dread agreeing not to press the issue.
“Can I ask you something?” She started her round of questions.
“Sure,” Fred nodded.
“That cute redhead barmaid you met three months ago, do you regret not taking her home?”
“You saw that,” he nervously smirked.
“Yes, I did, and I’m not mad. I know how lonely you are, hell it’s the reason you bought this doll,” she answered. “And you didn’t go through with it because of some loyalty to me, but I’m no longer on the same plane of reality as you Fred, so that obligation has come to an end. I don’t even know why you’re even staying in that apartment.”
“I didn’t sleep with her just because of you.” Fred turned looking her in the eyes. “I could see in her eyes she was looking for more, and I didn’t have more to give. You took my heart to the other side with you. It would have been cruel just to use her so I wouldn’t be alone at night. And I keep our apartment because that is our apartment. And the memories there were the only thing keeping me going.”
“Okay,” she stopped him. “I don’t want to argue.”
Fred inhaled and exhaled a sigh she could not breathe as the both of them sat awkwardly next to one another in silence figuring
out how to bring the positivity back to the beautiful day they were having together.
“I want to try something.”
“Okay,” Fred swallowed looking around.
She scooted over closer to him and leaned in resting her head against his chest. He placed an arm around her and began to use his fingers to glide up and down her arm caressing it.
“That feels nice.”
