Page 143 of Someone Like Me
“Oh!” Josie says, breaking into a giggle. “Hi, Daddy!”
I’m ready to jump out of my skin, and I rake my hands through my hair just to keep myself in the chair. I grind my teeth together and try to remember what Evie told me about square breathing, but I can’t. I reach for my phone instead.
Me: Freaking out a little.
I watch the screen and feel a measure of relief as soon as the read receipt appears.
Evie: What’s wrong?
“There you are, Anthony,” Grandma coos. I freeze in my seat, and the hair on my arms stands straight up. My thumb hovers over the keypad, and then I just admit it.
Me: Apparently, I’m afraid of ghosts.
Evie: You at the hospital?
Me: Yep.
I’d be lying if I said I’m not about to lose my shit, but talking to Evie grounds me just a little.
Evie: Who’s there?
Me: Besides Aunt Josie & Grandma? Pretty sure my grandpa and brother.
I follow this with a scream emoji, and she sends me a line of laughing/crying faces.
Me: So glad you find this amusing.
Despite my sarcasm, the thought of her laughing about this helps me breathe a little deeper.
Evie: I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you, my love.
Seeing the words, the way she has claimed me asherlove hits me like a shot of morphine. An intoxicating warmth rolls over me, and I almost moan in relief.
Evie loves me. What is there to fear?
Adrenaline begins to drain away, leaving me so tired. I’m so fucking tired. I just want to crawl into bed with her and sleep for days.
Evie: Do you want to say anything to them?
I blink at the screen, alert again.
Evie: They can probably hear you.
“Shit,” I say aloud, the morphine feeling unfortunately gone.
Josie frowns at me. “What’s wrong?”
Unable to explain this to her, I just shake my head.
Evie: The universe is giving you an opportunity. Take it.
I narrow my eyes at the screen as a low rumble escapes me. Not that she can hear it.
Evie: Don’t be stubborn.
Okay, maybe she can hear it.
Me: I swear, I’m in love with a witch.
