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~GHOSTLY LOVE BONUS MINI-CHAPTER~
Walter checked his tie in the mirror. Still straight, as it had been two minutes ago and a few minutes before that.
He was reaching for his comb when a voice bellowed from the back of the house. “Quit primping. You’re going to be late.”
He shouldn’t be this nervous.
“You look good.” Brad walked up behind him, inspecting Walter’s image in the mirror.
“The tie’s not too much?”
“I think the tie looks great. But you should feel comfortable. Do you think the tie’s too much?”
Walter had pulled out his best, and that included a tie. He hadn’t examined the choice until a few minutes ago. “Well, it’s a date. A man should wear a tie on a date. At least on a first date.”
Brad grinned. “Okay then. The tie stays. Are you doing dinner first?”
“An early dinner and then the movie.” Walter rubbed his hand across his jaw.
“You should go to the barber shop more often. Fewer nicks.” Brad shot him a falsely innocent smile.
Walter just grunted in reply. The kid might give him grief over his shaving skills, but after he’d passed the half century mark he’d understand.
Clearly trying to hold back an even broader grin, Brad finally gave up and beamed. “Can’t wait for the debrief. Have fun.” Then he disappeared into the back of the house.
Debrief. Walter scowled. At least Hillary was out for the evening—some kind of girls’ night. One hovering busybody was more than enough.
He retrieved his keys and headed out. But as he reached for the back door handle, he couldn’t make himself open it. His heart squeezed and his hand trembled. Oh, Ingrid.
Walter had promised her. Not long before she’d gone, she’d asked him to promise. He didn’t want to, but he’d have done anything—absolutely anything—to make her happy. She was the love of his life.
It had taken him a little longer—if he was honest, several years longer—than she would have wanted, but here he was, on the precipice. He couldn’t waver now. She’d wanted him to keep living, to meet other people, find happiness again—maybe even love. Not only had he promised, but he owed it to her to try. Ingrid had always grabbed a hold of life and literally spun around with the joy of it. He might not be capable of spinning, but he could do a little jig.
He reached for the door and opened it. As he stepped through, he realized: Ingrid would have liked pretty little Mary Margaret, Brad’s “psychic nun.” Yes, he was absolutely certain of it.
THE END
