“What are you doing here, reaper?” The ghost of what was the matriarch of Glenn’s family stared down her proud nose at Ever. She turned her head slightly, giving him another angle to observe the severe frown on her face.
“I’m here to help you pass on through to the Underworld,” he replied.
“No you are not.” Juliette said firmly. “As you can see, we are Catholic. We do not recognise your traditions here.” She gestured towards Luna and Glenn sitting to the side. Luna was the spitting image of her mother. Time had visited her, carefully dabbing the corners of her eyes and mouth, leaving soft wrinkles behind. With her head bowed, her thumb and index fingers slid rosary beads one after the other. While Glenn didn’t have beads, he kept his head bowed, though he looked up every so often.
Only because she doesn’t recognise us, doesn’t mean that we’re not real, Death murmured. She’s going to be a tough one to crack.
*I will try.*
Ever gently cast the scythe to float away to the corner of the room. Juliette, watched it go and didn’t say anything.
“That’s a beautiful urn,” Ever said, gesturing towards - through - her.
The elder ghost scoffed and rolled her eyes. “If you think that sweet words will make me throw myself at your gods, you are sorely mistaken, my friend.”
“But I’m your friend?” Ever replied quickly. It wasn’t much to go off, but it was something.
If possible, her frown deepened even further. “What do I have to do to get rid of you?”
“Tell me what’s keeping you here,” Ever replied. “If after our conversation you aren’t comfortable leaving, I will go.”
“What’s keeping me here?” Juliette asked. “I don’t know what you mean by that, but I do know that I am deeply disappointed in my daughter.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Ever blinked in surprise. “Luna? What has she done wrong?”
The matriarch clucked. “What hasn’t she done wrong? Leaving school, having a child out of wedlock and worst of all, burning me instead of burying me.” Her face was an emotional war zone: knitted eyebrows expressed disappointment but... was that the slightest smile of pride?
“She’s started her own successful business. I love her croissants. She’s raised Glenn into a good man. He fed me right before we came here," Ever said earnestly.
Juliette was gazing so intently at her family that she didn’t even register how a reaper might be able to eat. The smile had faded, but so had the disappointment. Instead, clouds of regret had swept in, blanketing her face.
“I was too proud to tell her that I admired her for doing what she believed was right,” Juliette said quietly. “Of course I was angry, but secretly I was praying for her success every night. She had broken the cycle of men caging us.” She squeezed her eyes shut.
Ever extended his left arm, the scythe coming back into his hand.
“It’s not too late to tell her, you know.”
She opened her eyes, equal parts surprise and hope in them. “You can… you can help me?”
Ever nodded; the scythe hummed to life.
SENSES
Hearing
Smell
Touch
Sight
Taste
Ever regarded the menu; this wasn’t straightforward. ‘Hearing’ was probably the best fit, but not because of what she wanted to hear, but what she needed Luna to hear. He selected it and the scythe bobbed in assent. This time, it became an arrow of light circling the room once before piercing Juliette’s chest. She arched her back, eyes wide open before relaxing. With a film of light encasing her being, she knelt down in front of her daughter, trying to cup her face.
“Ma chérie, je suis tellement désolé…”
Luna’s eyes flew open, darting and searching. “Maman… vous etes ici?”
Ever floated backward slowly letting the women have their moment. It shouldn’t have been possible, but he could have sworn Glenn looked right at him, eyes sparkling with gratitude.
