It's A Wonderful Midlife Crisis (Good To The Last Death #1) - Robyn Peterman Page 0,37

key.

“Come on, Sam,” I said as I hit the ground and began to bellycrawl back around the house.

Sam didn’t move. His partial nose was pressed to the glass and he waited.

Damn it, what was I supposed to do now? Did I leave him? Would he be able to find his way back to my house? Was I being ridiculous? Yes. He’d found my house once. He could find it again. However, his sense of direction sucked and it could take him days to find me.

I did the only thing I could do. I did the crazy-stupid thing. Why? Because Sam meant something to me. I loved him and I was batshit nuts. I bellycrawled back to where he stood… or floated, to be more accurate.

“We have to leave,” I whispered as I peeked into the kitchen.

Sam said nothing. He placed his decomposing hand in mine and gently squeezed.

He wanted to see his wife find her glasses. I understood. However, there was a slight problem here. She couldn’t see him, but she could definitely see me.

Moving my head to the right of the door, I peeked into the bottom corner of the glass with one eye. It was still dark out. I had dark hair and was dressed all in black. Plus, she wouldn’t be wearing her glasses. It was risky, but if I was being honest, I would love to see her find her ring and glasses too. If I was going to partake in illegal activities, I should get to reap the reward of a misdemeanor well done… or something like that.

The little old woman entered the kitchen and turned on the overhead light. She was in her bathrobe and slippers. She was positively adorable. Sam sighed next to me in happiness and anticipation.

She glanced around the kitchen in confusion. I ducked down so she wouldn’t see me and then curiosity got the best of me. Slowly I rose up and peeked again.

She gasped and placed both of her hands over her heart. Her body began to shake with sobs as she carefully walked to the teapot and touched her wedding ring with such reverence that my eyes filled with tears. Sam’s body trembled beside me. I couldn’t look at him or I would truly lose it. I just held tight to his hand and watched.

Taking the glasses with the ring attached into her gnarled hands, she kissed her ring and began to laugh.

I couldn’t hear a word she said, but her intention was as clear as my new 20/20 vision. Pointing at the ceiling, she shook her finger and laughed through her tears. As her lips continued to move, I could make out the words Sam and I love you.

Glancing over at Sam, I gasped and almost cried out. My chest felt tight and my head began to throb.

Gently pulling me to the side of the house, Sam smiled and touched my cheek.

He was no longer a decaying corpse of a man. However, he was still dead. An ethereal and somewhat blinding golden glow surrounded my friend, and his body was restored to what it must have been before he’d passed. He was beautiful. Sam’s eyes twinkled and his smile would stay etched in my memories always.

“Sam?” I whispered in a panic, not understanding what was happening.

“Thank you, Daisy,” he said in the voice that was the same one I recognized from being inside his mind earlier. “I can go now.”

As he began to fade away, my tears came quickly. I knew this was the last time I would ever see Sam. He’d stayed to make sure his beloved found what she treasured the most. He was moving on. Selfishly, I didn’t want him to go. In the short time I’d had the privilege of knowing him, I’d grown to love him. This was the suckiest, most beautiful experience I’d ever had.

“Bye, Sam,” I whispered, reaching out to touch the golden glow surrounding his diminishing body.

It was warm and inviting—felt like silky liquid. I waited for Sam to completely disappear before I got back on my stomach and began to crawl. My heart was shattered, but it also felt strangely full. I’d just helped my friend move on. It was clear to me he was going somewhere lovely. The golden glow was a sure sign.

At the edge of the house, I paused and scanned the area for people or lights in houses. The coast looked clear. As soon as I got to the sidewalk, I would stand up