Fruitbat

17. 17

17

Si

4:32 am

Danny’s weight is crushing in the most satisfying way. Our naked bodies meld together like puzzle pieces, and I don’t want to let go.

He tries to roll away, but I tighten my grip with all four limbs.

“Stay right there.” I plead.

“I don’t want to hurt you.’’

“You’re not.” I kiss his cheek, nose, and mouth.

His body relaxes.

“I’m really heavy,” he says into my lips.

“You’re perfect.” I weave my fingers in his dark waves .

His arms wrap me in a cocoon of his spiced body heat. Every inch of me is lit up, white hot, by his presence.

We lay in blissful stillness, until . . .

“I need to pee,” he whispers in my ear.

I laugh. “Me too,” and I release my grip.

He kisses my lips, twice, and peels himself off me.

I drink in the sight of his juicy ass and broad back scurrying to the bathroom, sitting up, I fold my legs into a knot as my eyes trace the room. If I were to stand up and spread all four limbs, I might be able to touch every surface.

There are crystals scattered about, catching lamp light, glamouring back at me.

The moon stares in the slanted window, its shadowy face gives me a wink, and I smile back. Did you enjoy that show? I sure did.

The bathroom door opens, and Danny strolls out, in a gloriously naked display, but bends down to collect his clothes.

“Don’t…” I protest.

He looks at me, through his lashes, with rosy cheeks.

“Don’t.” I grin, twitching the edge of my brow.

I hop off the bed and step up to him, unfolding upright, I kiss his mouth and gently swat his ass cheek.

“I’ll be right back. —I’m not finished with you yet.’’

He snickers, watching my backside sway into the bathroom. I give him a little shimmy before closing the door.

There’s just enough room to stand in the center and aim for the toilet with my hip nearly brushing against the vanity. A corner shower stall, behind the door, fills the space with the most headroom, across from the slanting wall I lay my forehead against, until I’m relieved.

There’s a washcloth folded neatly on the edge of the sink, that feels like it was left out for me, to clean up with.

After I’m fresh and my curls are in place, I stroll back out into the studio.

Danny stands off the edge of the bed—still naked—holding a small plate with a lit birthday candle poking up from a chocolate snack cake with white icing swirls. I might burst.

“Happy birthday,” he beams.

“Where’d this come from?” I smirk.

“I slipped it in my bag, before we left the store,” he grins slyly.

I blow out the candle and kiss his lips. My throat feels thick and my eyes pinch back a well. I take the plate from his hand and set it on the kitchenette counter, before throwing my arms around his neck and covering his face with kisses.

His arms squeeze my waist.

“Thank you.” I gaze into his warm eyes.

“Eat your cake,” he blushes.

I gather the plate and hop up on the bed next to him. Folding one leg behind his back and dangling the other off the edge.

His hand falls onto my thigh, shooting a flitter of sparks to my belly. I pick up the cake with two fingers and bite a quarter chunk out of it. Smiling ear-to-ear as I chew, gazing starry-eyed at his beautifully scruffy face.

He smirks and that one dimple pokes me right in the chest.

I swallow, holding the chocolaty sponge to his lips .

He shakes his head “no,” but I insist, curling my lip and chomping my teeth, to show him how it’s done.

His tongue reaches out to welcome the cake in, and without breaking our gaze; he bites down. Where has this been all my life?

I take another bite and feed him the last, tossing the plate onto the mattress and wrapping myself around his shoulders. Our crumby lips join together, and I roll back, pulling him on top of my body.

He lays his head on my chest and curls into me.

I wrap my legs around him again and electricity buzzes the air.

The television, in the corner of the room, blips on.

“We must be laying on the remote,” he chuckles, fanning his hand over the blankets, searching for the hidden device.

A newscaster with a pearly white smile drops their facade for a serious matter, and my face appears on the screen. Pale gray skin and sunken smoky eyes, closed in peaceful slumber, the captured image taken from an overhead view.

“Wait,” I bolt upright.

Danny turns to the TV, and then back to me with a gaunt expression.

“Volume?” I flail.

He finds the remote on the nightstand and hurries to appease my request.

“We come to you with sad news this morning,” the statuesque man announces.” A body has been collected from the scene of an accident near Tukey’s Bridge. It appears to have been a hit and run. The victim, John Doe, was pronounced dead on the scene, at arrival. Police are asking anyone who knows this individual to please call…”

Danny touches my knee, igniting a current, and the TV blips off.

“What?” My jaw hangs.

“Si…” The charge from his touch singes my skin.

I can’t find words and I hope he can find them for me.

“You’re okay,” he soothes.

“Danny, what was that?”

“I should have told you.”

“What?” I don’t understand any of this.

“Do you remember the scene at the bridge?”

“The SUV didn’t hit me.” Right? “I rolled out of the way.”

“You did . . . but your body stayed behind.”

“What?” That doesn’t make sense. I look down at my body, in the flesh.

“The soul separates from the body when a traumatic death happens.”

“I’m not dead, I’m sitting right here.” I grab his forearm and static shocks both of us. It’s nearly visible, trailing my skin.

“You’re not in your body anymore.”

“Are you dead too?”

“I’m a medium. —I’ve seen spirits all my life. I didn’t realize you didn't know, at first.“ His eyes drop to the floor. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.”

I search the ceiling for clarity as my mind twists in a tornado of confused emotion .

“You’re the first to ever be . . .’’ Danny pauses, his forehead wrinkling, “this present? I’m not sure how to explain it.”

“Danny, I don’t . . .”

“I know.”

His touch tingles my skin again. “How?” I wave my hands over his, lying on my thigh.

“I figured banging my head has jarred something? I don’t know?”

“You’re alive?” My heart sinks. “But I’m a ghost?”

Danny nods with sadness in his eyes.

“Do I just exist like this now?”