Chapter 13 - Winter of 2020

Marco was seated cross-cross on the floor with wires scattered all around him. He picked up one end of a yellow one and gingerly picked a port to plug it into. He had been attempting (and somewhat succeeding) to fix some old machine for a couple of days now, which was only half the battle. Now all Marco had to do was restring it to the rest of the system. The instrument made a fuzzy screech when the yellow chord was inserted, which was actually a good sign that one machine was talking to the other. Marco cuffed his sleeves up to his elbows as he took in his own handiwork. While he coiled an unneeded cord around his arm, there was a knock to the door. 

“Ah, Rodriguez. Got that thing to work, I hope?” his boss asked.

”It’s getting there. I expect myself to be finished by tonight.”

”That’s really great to hear, we have a private word though?” 

“Yeah, when?”

”I was hoping that right now would be a good time.”

Rather nervously, Marco followed his supervisor into a cold and dreary office room. He knew that this could either be great or terrible news. The boss sat down at his desk, and gestured for the other to do the same. 

“What is this?” Marco asked.

“We as a company have appreciated your dedication. You’re a great member to have on staff.”

”Oh, thank you.”

”However,”

Marco’s stomach sank at his overseer’s tone. 

“We’ve decided to update our technology. This modern shift will render your position unnecessary. I’m very sorry to inform you that we as a company will have to let you go.” Briefly breaking through his stone faced demeanor, he said, “This…  this wasn’t my decision to make.”

Marco wasn’t sure what to say. He stared down at his own hands, which were folded discreetly as if he was praying. “I dunno what I’m going to do. I have a daughter.”

Snapping back to his formal, articulate rhythm, the boss said. ”We hope the best for you. Truly, this is not personal, it’s just the sacrifice that business must make. Thank you for your time.”

Marco made a speedy escape from the office room, trying not to seem in any kind of distress. He knew he was doing a lousy job when coworkers poked their heads out from their cubicles to see what was taking place. Minimal things needed to be gathered before Marco was sent on his way. He had to walk home the old fashioned way, since Lexi was out of town.

“It’s been a while,” Birdie said. “I mean, I’m glad to see you, but you seriously need to kill that habit."

“I know,” Marco sighed, letting a wisp of smoke emit from his mouth.

“Are you just feeling the winter blues?”

”I got laid off.”

”Earlier today you did?”

”Mhm.” 

Birdie nodded. Her form drifted up and down the bridge, mimicking the action of pacing. ”I’m very sorry. Your woman works there too, doesn’t she?”

”Yes, but she's out of town at her dad’s funeral.”

“I’m very sorry to hear of her loss.”

”And I’ve told you about Hudson, haven’t I? He’s become more and more hostile. I wish I didn't have to fear him all the time.”

”That’s a reasonable expectation.”

”You’re a smart gal,” Marco said. “How do I get him to go away? Is there anything I can do?”

”I… I’m not sure. You know as much as I do.”

”Even if I did find some cure, I wouldn’t want to get rid of you, Birdie. Or the others, for that matter.”

”Why is that? Am I not a ghost too?”

”Yes, but you’re different. You aren’t like him. He cause all kinds of trouble. Not you.”

”I’m human just the same as the next dead guy. I’m no different.”

”But you aren't the issue.”

”Why are you trying so hard to put me on some kind of pedestal?”

There was a silent beat. “Not all of you are bad.”

”Course not. Nobody is inherently good or bad. Why is it so black and white in your mind? We’re all people. We’ve all done regrettable things.”

”Why are you arguing?”

”I don’t mean to argue, I only want you to question your thinking.”

”Why?”

”Becuase logic can be flawed, and seeing another’s point of view�" even if you don’t agree with it�"will broaden your horizons and help you in making informed decisions."

”I suppose it would.”

Birdie asked again, ”Why do you try so hard to see me as better than I am?”

”I guess because you’re too similar to myself, and if you have flaws, that means I have flaws. And I know that I’m mistaken sometimes, for everyone is, but part of me doesn’t.” Words tumbled out of Marco’s mouth like ripe fruit from the vine. “I need me to be perfect.”

Birdie placed her chin over her folded hands, and peered over with attentiveness. “Why?”

”I don’t know. If I think too hard about it, I might have an existential crisis.”

Marco leaned on the stone bridge with his weight held in his shoulders. His breathing was shallow. The hairs behind his neck stood up like cactus spines. 

”Are you alright dear?” Birdie asked. She leaned down to match his level, attempting to look him in his skittish eye. “You seem unwell. Shall we go home?” she proposed. 

With some effort, Marco stumbled down the street with Birdie by his side. Passing vehicles felt like earthquakes to his unsteady knees. His steps were slow and calculated. Birdie walked along the path beside the trembling fellow, matching his speed gracefully, standing tall and steady. Home was the last place Marco wanted to be at a time like this. He wasn’t in the mood for Hudson’s smug look, his self-centered cockiness. He had full control of what Marco said or did, and he knew it. He could break his pipes or short circuit his phone line, and nobody, living or dead, was capable of doing anything about it.

“I dunno what I should have expected, but this house is exactly like you,” said Birdie as her eyes glazed the room. She wafted down the short hallway, and poked her head into each room. “Where is Juniper?”

”School,” mumbled Marco.

”Ah, I forget that kids have to do that.” She strode to the door calmly. “Will you be alright on your own?”

”No, please don’t go. I don’t want to be alone.”

”Oh… ok. Would it be alright if I got some water?”

”Sure, whatever.”

”Thanks. I haven’t had any since the sprinklers in the park went off this morning.”

”Wow, yeah. Have as much as you require.”

Birdie’s hands cupped the crystal stream of tap water. Some of it pooled in her palms, some passed right through, some flowed up her wrists and into the rest of her body. Immediately, her allusion became crisp, the clearest Marco had ever seen her. She almost looked alive by the realism she possessed. Her eyes crinkled to make way for her full cheeks, round from decades of smiling. Her hands were rugged and worked, and possessed many scars, some healed and some recent (rather, as recent as they could be, compared to her death). Birdie’s hair was the color of an old wooden pier, faded brown with streaks of sterling grey. It cascaded down her back, pin straight and shimmering. 

“I appreciate it,” Birdie thanked.

Marco rolled his head around in a loop. ”I think I would feel leagues better if I had a shower and a nap.”

”Sometime’s that’s all there is to it-”

”Not so fast,” Hudson interrupted. “I’m not sure we’ve met yet. Should I introduce myself?”

”There’s no need. I’ve heard all about you.” 

”Just as I suspected. You’re little miss therapist, aren’t you?”

”I am not a licensed professional, no. I just like to lend a hand when I’m able.”

”Same difference. Still, you’ve gotta dip, lady.”

”Rude,” Birdie scoffed. “Who do you think you are?”

”Call me Hudson. I’m the sheriff around these parts.” He tossed his slouchy sweatshirt and beanie aside. Underneath, he wore what was meant to be a white tank top, now stained and smudged with lord knows what. Hudson’s left wrist was wrapped in a Velcro brace. Still, he confidently shielded himself with his fists. 

“Is this what we’re doing?” Birdie asked. She removed her blue satin blazer, and placed it folded on the ground beside her. She fixed her baroque patterned blouse and matched her opponent’s crouched and alerted stance, only with more technique and precision. Marco took a few large steps back, as to be extra sure not to interfere. 

Hudson made the first blow. It was strong, but misdirected, and flew right over Birdie’s nimble duck. She made no counterattacks, only blocks and dodges.

“Seems like the only DEfense you have is a mediocre OFFense,” Hudson panted. It was clear that he was running out of stamina, while Birdie remained calm, her breathing hardly raising over its usual tempo. The ambitious young man made another blow directed to her chin. Birdie firmly gripped his arm, and took it with her as she used the opening to slide behind him, dragging his limb to a painful degree. Hudson managed to yank his arm out of her grasp, but Birdie was still in back of him with a steady control of his shoulders. A kick to his back knees folded her opponent to the floor. He was pinned with nowhere else to go. 

“You leave my boy alone,” Birdie shouted through gritted teeth.

With the wind knocked out of him, Hudson uttered, ”Ok. I’m sorry. I’ll be gone.”

Hudson scampered off when Birdie finally removed herself from his back. “Street rat,” she muttered after his cowardly form. She placed her jacket over her shoulders again.

”Gee, uh. Thanks,” Marco said. He wasn’t sure what to do, so he simply gave a double thumbs up. “You know you didn’t have to get into a fist fight, right?”

”Psh, I beat his a*s no problem.”

”I honestly had no idea you could do all that.”

”The best fighter knows when to shut up. That’s what my instructor always said.”

Marco nodded. “Welp. I guess that’s the end of that.” 

“How about the other ghosts?”

”Not so much an issue.”

”I’m glad I could be of service then. Thanks again for the drink.”

Before she could disappear, Marco called out, “Birdie, wait.”

”Hm?”

”Why do you do all this for me?”

”It’s not like I’ve anything better to do. I suppose it gives me purpose.”

”Are you doing this much for other people?”

”I don’t interact like this with any other living folks, but I like to find ways to make things better, even if it isn’t so noticeable."

”Doesn’t it frustrate you, never being recognized for what you do?”

”Not really. It makes people happy, and that makes me happy by proximity.”

Marco smiled. He paused before asking, ”Is it weird to say I love you?”

”To me? No. Of course not. Love is so much wider than the definition we often give it. Romance is great and all, but there are other kinds of affection, whether it be familial, or platonic, or others.” 

“I love you then, Birdie.”

”Aw, shucks. I love ya too Marco. Have a good evening now.”

”And to you.”

The woman’s form dissolved into the space between the kitchen and living room. Marco watched the fight�"if one could even call it that�"play out in his head. He grinned to himself as Birdie, skillfully and with much ease, saved the day like she usually did, like a mother hen to some random chick she, for some reason, decided was hers now. With nobody left to entertain him, Marco decided to dial his girlfriend’s number. She picked up almost instantly, as if she had been expecting his call.

”Que pasa?” She greeted. Her tone indicated good spirits. 

“Sup. I just wanted to say hi.”

”Hey. Has literally anything happened in Wisconsin?”

”Well…” Marco trailed off. He had almost forgotten what went down just earlier that day. “I got laid off.”

”What?!” A scuffle and shuffle sounded from her end. “What happened?” Lexi exclaimed. 

“They’re “updating the technology” so my position would be “rendered unnecessary." ”

”But you do such a broad range of things, are all of them unnecessary now?”

”Honestly, I think that everything in Logtown is running out of funds, and they need an excuse to pay less staff.”

”Yeah, that probably isn’t far off. That sucks, man. I’m sorry.”

”You’re apologizing? You’re at a funeral!”

”I was. I’m not currently.”

”That’s what I meant. Where are you right now anyway?”

”Me and the fam are at some local diner.”

”Oh, I’m sorry to take you away from your food and stuff. We can call later if you need.”

”No, jeez. I was trying to find reasons to get out of there anyway. It was very loud inside the establishment.”

”I see.”

”I hope you haven’t been too lonely without me,” Lexi said. Marco could picture the way she would have twirled her hair preeningly, or checked her nails. 

“No, actually, I just had a friend over. That was nice. But yeah, I do miss you, all the way in whatever state.”

”Don’t you worry your little loverboy heart. I’ll be back soon�"wait. Hang on. You said you had a friend over?”

Marco covered his mouth as he realized his slip up. ”Uhm, yes?”

”Do I know this person?”

”I don’t think you would. I’ve known her for…a couple of…times.”

”What.”

”Nevermind. Nevermind. I’m not sure I could explain how I know her. Great gal. Great pal. Weird backstory.”

“Okay, whatever,” chuckled Lexi. 

“Alright. Another thing that happened, and please don’t be afraid, is that I finally got that haircut I’ve been talking about since forever.”

“Why would I be afraid? Should I? You said that and it instantly made me fearful.”

”No, no. I’m quite pleased with it. I guess I say that ‘cause I was a little scared. I had it done by my daughter’s best friend’s older sister.” 

“Why didn’t you just go to your regular?”

”Okay, this was really weird too. My daughter kept nagging me to go, so eventually I did, and the girl did a great job, but afterwards, I noticed the hair cutting lady handing my kid some amount of money. I don’t know how much, I don’t know why. I just thought it seemed kinda sketchy.”

”Um, yeah. Definitely. Did the stylist seem shady?”

”No, and also yes. She seemed like she could have been the kind of shady one wouldn’t be expecting. Reverse psychology, ya know?”

”Sure. Well that’s strange.”

”My thoughts exactly.”

”Ohh my stars, I forgot to tell you about the trip.”

”What trip?”

“My mom wants you to come to the next family reunion and meet my relatives.”

“Wait, actually?”

”Yeah dude. My mom is turning sixty, so she’s having a big get together for that. She’s invited you specifically to be there.” Quiet, as not to be heard by any onlookers, Lexi whispered, “My mom is starting to pull reasons for get- togethers out of thin air.”

“I don’t blame her. When will it be?”

”Late February. Her’s is on the 21st.”

”I don’t foresee any calendrical collisions.”

”Awesome. I’ll let her know. Oh, would you look at that? They sent my sister out to come find me.”

”Hi Marco,” said another voice.

”Uh, hey.”

Silence took over the line. If he listened hard, Marco could hear speech from the other end, but nothing clear enough to make out. 

“I gotta hit it. See ya soon,” Lexi said.

”Yeah, talk to you later.”

With nothing else to be said, the conversation came to a close. 

Juniper arrived home to find her father flat on the floor listening to the song “Knowing Me, Knowing You” through his CD player. He looked completely downcast, but did perk up some when his daughter walked through the door. 

“You alright, daddy-o?”

”I’ll tell you about it later. Do you want to lay on the floor with me?”

”Absoludely,” Juniper said. She kicked off her shoes and placed her body right next to her father’s. ”What’s playing?”

”ABBA’s greatest hits. I decided to start listening through all my CDs.”

”When’d you decide that?”

”About two hours ago.”

”Two hours?” Juniper yelped. “Why aren't you at work�"ohh. I think I understand.”

”Just lay with me for a minute. It’ll all play out like God intended.”  

“Whatever you say, dad.”

”If you don’t like this music, we could change it. I’ll listen to whatever you want to, if you have the disc.”

“Nah, ABBA is cool. I don’t think you’d like what I like anyway.”

”Try me, I dare you.”

”No, no. This is fine,” Juniper said as she shut her eyes. “I like this song.” Music flowed through her body. In a state of careless relaxation, Junie’s troubles seemed to melt. Her responsibilities were simply sent away, for that moment at least. She was soon encompassed by the comfortable trance of slumber. 

Reviews

[RomaJ]

Chapter 13 lands on a subtle but effective cliffhanger -- scenes with Birdie in particular are the most intriguing to me. Lingering questions about the ghosts, Marco’s future, and the broader world leave the reader eager for what comes next. I enjoyed reading this