Free After Death by D. B. Douglas Page B

was dry — he could only numbly nod. Eli eyeballed him.
    “Now how the hell am I supposed to do that, Franklin?” he asked with a strangely harsh tone, his top lip pulled back from his teeth. Frank noticed his sharp incisors poking out — He’d never noticed that before… Don’t get distracted! Stay on The Important Subject and Get-it-over-with! Frank tried to clear his throat and dropped his eyes to the floor. His voice came out husky and rough.
    “By making a promise that you will. Maybe coming back has something to do with unfinished business — A commitment that must be kept — Even beyond the grave.”
    He knew how laughably stupid this must sound, how ridiculous — He just had to hurry up and finish.
    “You always hear about unsolved murder victims haunting the scene of the crime or —”
    Eli’s loud guffaw cut through Frank like an ax. His cackle was so loud, it shook the glass on the nightstand.
    Frank felt like he’d been slapped. He could feel the blood coloring his cheeks as Eli almost cried with laughter, doubled over and wheezing on the bed. He wanted to run away, hide in shame but Eli recovered quickly, his glittering eyes turned on him again, mouth twisted into a lopsided grin.
    “What a buncha rubbish!” He spat vehemently. “You believe that crap, Franklin? You surprise me, an educated man like yourself…”
    Frank couldn’t feel more idiotic. His face pulsed with blood and he knew he must look like a tomato. Still — the attack pushed him to defend himself…
    “Who’s to say, Eli?” He heard himself reply, his voice rising. “Who’s to say what happens after death and why…?”
    His scene was ruined, his idea was ruined, he was ruined — after all this preparation…He couldn’t very well put this reaction in his book — it wasn’t what he had thought would happen at all… It was done. He needed to just get out of there. Now .
    He mumbled something like “I’m glad you find it so amusing…” without even thinking and bolted for the door. He was almost free, almost away when Eli called after him.
    “Franklin, hold on — Wait a second… If it’ll make you feel better…?” Eli’s voice was gentle now, conciliatory…
    But it was too late. Frank just wanted to keep on walking and leave this mess behind him. Literally. He spoke over his shoulder, still moving.
    “No, no, that’s okay… Maybe it is idiotic…”
    He was out the doorway when the clatter of Eli’s walker hitting the ground behind him made him stop.
    “Franklin, I’m sorry…” Eli called after him. His voice was truly penitent. “Come back. Please… If it’s important to ya, go ahead — Ask me again.”
    Frank turned back. Eli was trying to reach down and pick up the walker so he could chase after Frank but he couldn’t quite reach it. He looked dangerously unstable.
    Frank instinctively rushed back to him, put the walker back in position and guided his hands to the rails.
    Eli stood up and stared at Frank — His expression clearly both worried and sincere.
    Frank didn’t want to ask Eli anything now — The moment had passed and he already felt it was a major misfire he didn’t need to repeat. On the other hand, he didn’t want to leave it this way either. Maybe he could play if off as a joke? He reconciled himself to the idea, smiled sheepishly and was about to put it into play when Fernando appeared in the doorway.
    “Hey, Frank, Rachel’s been lookin’ for you, man.“
    Fernando bobbed his head in greeting to Eli. “Hey Eli. How’s it goin’? What’s the hot topic today?”
    Immersed in their private moment, Frank and Eli just smiled at him and said nothing. Fernando looked from one to the other, not understanding.
    “I interruptin’ something?” He asked.
    Still neither responded, frozen in position like statues. Fernando finally scowled, gave them both a dirty look, and walked away, shaking his head.
    “Fuckin’ weird guys, man…” He grumbled.
    They waited until he was