She nodded, she looked tired, like telling the story had aged her.
"That would be fine. I'd like to get Ezekiel's belongings out of storage so that you can have them. I should have them when you come back."
"Thank you. Before I go, do you really think the Old Springs fire could be connected to my issues?"
She gave me a weary look. "Unfortunately, yes. When you come back I'd like you to tell me what you remember from the fires that have tormented you. I've had a thought, but I wish to think a little more before I voice it, perhaps when I've heard some of your history."
I left the library in a daze.
I actually know something about my family. This was more than I'd ever learned before my parents died. I was put into the foster care system after I'd healed. They couldn't locate any living family. I'd given up on actually finding something. I knew a little about my paternal grandfather, he'd spent his lifetime in the United States Army. My paternal grandmother died young from a brain aneurysm. My mother was raised by her mother and a step-dad, she never knew her bio-dad, and her mother never talked about him. No step-siblings either. It's weird to think some families can just end. No way to find relatives. Maybe I should try one of those DNA things?
I pondered all of that while walking to my truck. The weather was warming up, which is a little weird this time of year. A clear blue sky with snow on the ground. I breathed in the crystal clean air deeply. I was really starting to like Colorado. Grimwood Springs in particular was starting to feel like home.
I climbed up into my truck, started it up, and began the short trip home. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw a sickly green light emanate from Alistair's shop. I shrugged, I'm sure if it's important I'll find out about it later. I parked, exited the vehicle, locking it up on the way out, and walked down the hallway to my office.
I saw a gaunt figure waiting for me. Alistair must need something. He saw me and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Walker. I was just looking for you to inform you that I should be able to open on Monday as planned. I'd love it if you could stop by and get a good look at my shop."
I gave him a big smile. "I genuinely look forward to it, but please, call me Kit."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
He smiled back. "Yes, Kit, sorry. I always fall back on formalities. Nature of my business, you see." He gave a little shrug in apology.
I stopped him before he left. "I've gotta ask, how did you get the shop ready so fast? There was a lot of work left."
Alistair's eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment. "Trade secret, I'm afraid. Perhaps in the future if you need help in that vein we can make a deal." A devilish smile appeared on his face.
"I might just take you up on that offer."
We both laughed as we walked opposite ways down the hall. I heard the door open and close behind him.
I wonder what he meant by that?
I spent the rest of the day distracting myself with Spot in the former video store. I had a laser pointer, a fishing pole toy, and a bag of treats that I completely exhausted her with. Then I topped play time off with a mix of catnip and silvervine, which she fell asleep on top of. So stinking cute.
While she was sleeping I decided to go tinker with my found video game systems. I'd tried to get them to work, but they all had various technical issues. With the Atari 2600 I wasn't sure if the system was broken or the games were. It would take power but act like there was no cartridge in the system. The Genesis would continuously loop the SEGA logo with both of the Sonic games, and the Altered Beast game wouldn't do anything.
I gave it a dirty look, and then said loudly, "RISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!"
Spot jumped up and gave me a dirty look, then curled back up and fell back asleep on her cat drugs.
I gave her a look. "Just say no!"
She stretched onto her back and gave me a kitty grin.
I went back up into the apartment. I left Spot downstairs in the video store, I leave the door propped open most nights now. She appreciates the room to do 4am zoomies, and I appreciate them not happening over my face.
I laid in bed, playing with my new phone. This thing is amazing. The internet in the palm of my hand.
Oh, I got an email. It's from Wren Fletcher, who's that? Oh, that's the name of the person that runs the Skeptical Spector.
Hello Kit,
Thank you for contacting me. I think we may have actually met. I think I caught the end of your paranormal experience in the laundromat, I was the woman who saw you checking yourself out while holding your cat. Small world. Actually, even smaller world, my Uncle Alistair is opening his shop in your mall. I guess you actually know that, not the Uncle part, but the shop part. I'm going to be there helping him a bit. If you want we can talk there, or after that.
Thanks, Wren
I could feel my face turning red. That was a little embarrassing. Also a little strange that she's Alistair's niece. I should call the library in the morning and see if I can pick up my great-grandfather's stuff, and maybe Wren might even want to come with me so we can all have a talk together. Kill two birds with one stone, as it were.
That's awful and sexist.
What?! How?!
Calling women birds is, and her name is Wren, so also a bad pun.
It's just a metaphor, you're so sensitive.
It's an idiom, not a metaphor.
You're an idiom!
That doesn't make any sense.
After that I decided it was bedtime.
I put the phone down and stared at the ceiling for a moment. A few days ago I was a handyman with a cat and a rust bucket truck, just passing through. Now I had a great-grandfather, a bloodline I could actually trace, and apparently a fire demon with a grudge older than I was.
Grimwood Springs was turning out to be a lot of things. Quiet wasn't one of them.
I closed my eyes, and somewhere downstairs, Spot was doing zoomies.