Free Haunted by R.L. Merrill

she did. Mackenzie dazzled them both and they became fast friends. I seemed to be surrounded by women who could dazzle. I felt like a fizzle around them.
    Grandma started to get tired, so I called them a cab to take them back to their hotel. She was going to a bingo hall that night and she needed to take a nap. We hugged goodbye and I promised I’d come home for Christmas this year, hoping that would appease them.
    Shannon got in the cab last and gave me one last hug. “So you really are ok? You’re happy? You certainly look like you’re in your element,” this she said with an exaggerated laugh.
    “I’m really happy here. I also just got offered a traveling opportunity so I won’t be in the shop for a couple of weeks, in case you have trouble getting hold of me.”
    She looked surprised.
    “What will you be doing?”  
    I wasn’t sure how much to tell her so I said, “Tattooing a group of people in the music business. It’s a good opportunity for me and for the shop.”
    She smiled. “Well, I guess you are doing well then. I love you sweetheart. Happy Birthday.”
    I thanked her and told her I hoped she was taking care of herself. A kiss on the cheek and a slam of the cab door and they were on their way out of my life for the time being. It had been nice seeing them and now I needed to get my head together for my next adventure!
    Troy came in early that evening to go over plans for the shop in my absence. I told him who was coming in and for what. He looked over my drawings and told me numerous times how happy he was with what I’d accomplished, even going so far as to praise my work and to mention the possibility of me tattooing him after I was finished. He was crashing with friends while he was covering for me. It felt weird to know someone was going to be in my space. I knew Mackenzie would be there so no funny business would go on and I’d get Daryl to come by, too. He was a good spy!
    I also had to finish packing my gear. Daryl was coming over to pick me up at 10 a. m. so I had plenty of time to take Mackenzie out to breakfast at Ye Olde Coffee Pot in the morning. Sleep did not come easily, so I read a horror novel until around 3:00 a.m. before finally shutting out the lights. I dreamt about ghosts and guitars.

Chapter Four
     
    The next morning I was tired but wired with excitement and nerves. What if we didn’t get along? What if they hated my work? What if this little experiment was a failure and I disappointed the guys? Or even worse, what if I disappointed Daryl? These guys were obviously important to the people around them, and apparently, millions of fans!
    Mackenzie tried to help over breakfast, but as someone who’d never failed at anything she had little to go on.
    “I spent my life disappointing people, how the hell am I supposed to not disappoint the band?”
    “Wow, that negativity is doing wonders for your complexion! Jay, you are so talented! So what? You decided to do what you love instead of what could have paid you handsomely? On second thought...No, can’t let yourself be tempted by the green devil.” She shook her head and made a sign of the cross. Then she folded her arms on the table and leaned in, giving her perfect cleavage a little lift.
    “Tell me honestly, Jay. Are you happy here? Doing what you are doing?”
    I nodded, “Of course! This last year has been the best! Maybe it was just my stepmom’s under reaction to the shop that has me in a funk, I don’t know. I love it here, and I love working with you, Kenz. I don’t know what I’d do without you!” She reached over to grab for my hand but I covered hers with mine. “I just can’t shake the ‘what ifs’? Maybe I’m supposed to be doing something else with my life?”
    “Maybe you are, and what you are about to do is going to help determine that.” She waggled her eyes at me and leaned in even closer. “Yeah, what you are about to do! Have you lost sight of the fact that you are going to be holed up with