As far as alleys went, the one behind Kieran's shop was fairly clean. The small bit of parking nestled between the brick buildings was packed with double parked cars bearing hanging tags from the local businesses. Kieran's Mustang sat in an alcove next to the back entrance.

Jack looked between the cars and dumpsters before settling on leaning against the wall beside the backdoor, giving the dumpsters a wide berth. He closed his eyes against the invasive reminder of his first impression on Kieran. The one positive to Kieran being responsible for getting his favorite bar shut down? No more vomiting in back alleys.

"Well, here I am," he said to the empty space in front of him.

"I missed you! I like the new hair."

A soft breeze caressed Jack's hair, and he shivered. "I missed you, too? I think?" He had an urge to hug her, but wasn't sure how hugging a ghost would work. Asking would be too embarrassing.

"I take it you don't like the mask," Lindsey said as her voice moved back and forth in front of Jack. "I told him it was too creepy, but he just ignored me."

Jack looked at the ground and shrugged. She wasn't wrong, exactly. "I, uh, really like it. I love it. That's the problem."

"Weird. I guess that's good. That he knows your taste?"

He could easily imagine Lindsey frowning in disbelief. He was right there with her. It was a weird thing to get attached to, and most people wouldn't get it for him based on how morbid it looked. He had his traumas, but sorrowful masks wasn't one of them. It should have been the source of more than a couple nightmares, but its vacant stare and mouth held nothing but the reassuring comfort that someone paid attention.

"Yeah, the asshole's got my number, and he knows it," he admitted with a small smile. He wanted to be irritated. He wanted a reason to not be hung up on Kieran.

"I guess you could do worse than him," Lindsey replied with a scoff.

At least she didn't say he could do better. "We're not dating," he said. The more he said it, the less meaning it held.

"I know. I heard. Neither were Tiffany and Justin."

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jack said, wishing he could throw a glare in Lindsey's direction. He settled on the dumpster where he last heard her voice. He thought of the disembodied laugh from the day before and prepared himself for bad news. "Out of curiosity, how common are ghosts? If that's not too weird to ask."

"Common enough. Most people move on."

"Are there any other…others around here? Ghosts, I mean. That. Those." He couldn't have been more offensive if he tried. By now, Lindsey had to have an idea that he didn't mean to be.

Lindsey hummed in thought. "Not really. Jim's attached to his old car. He shows up when his kid parks nearby. Why?"

"I thought I heard someone laughing yesterday, and no one was there. But I mighta been hearing things?" Jack hoped it was all in his head. It was better than the alternative. Better than dealing with the prospect that ghosts were everywhere and watching his every move.

"Coulda been Jim. He's done EVP stuff before, but I don't think he's ever bothered to be more…aligned? In sync? Y'know? Here. With everyone else. But it can happen if there's a good enough trigger or whatever."

"Okay. As long as I don't have any invisible stalkers, then okay." It was a small relief. He didn't need to be haunted by the literal ghosts of his past. He wondered what it was that made Lindsey more aligned with the mortal world.

"No, no, no. We're all stuck with whatever we're stuck to," Lindsey said with as much reassurance she could exude. "No free roaming vapors! That's why old houses get a bad rep."

"I guess that makes me feel better. Thanks."

"Anytime! Ooh! You can take me to your apartment whenever, and I'll check for spooks. Free of charge! I'm attached to my grandma's locket, so I'm lightweight and discreet."

That didn't sound like a fun time to Jack, but Lindsey's eagerness poked guilty holes into his resolve. He couldn't bring himself to not help Lindsey go out once in a while. And if it came with the reassurance that he was living ghost-free, then who was he to say no? "Maybe? I'm not sure how I feel about carrying an invisible girl around in my pocket."

"Give me enough warning, and I can look normal for a good couple hours."

"Sure," he hesitantly replied. "Maybe we can catch a movie?"

"I would love to see a movie!"

"Would after New Year's work?" He felt like he was asking her on a date.

"Dude, it's not like I'm stuck to a schedule or something. Just gimme a couple days' notice, so I know to not wear myself out."

"Yeah, I'll do that," he said, unsure if he wanted to break Lindsey's streak of harassing Kieran.

"I'm so excited!" she squealed, her voice bouncing about Jack.

Lindsey's happiness was contagious, and Jack smiled in what he hoped was her direction. If his breakup with Augie went well, then he would celebrate by taking her out the next weekend.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]