Ghosted by Mo Fanning

Author:Mo Fanning [Mo Fanning]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Spring Street Books
Published: 2022-09-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Silas sits on the floor, and polishes his one good pair of shoes with a rag and cotton cloth, working swiftly, moving smoothly but methodically, not stopping or slowing. Ken has been reading a book for almost half an hour. Its gaudy cover shows a man with a long red coat and flowing blond hair, one arm outstretched as if trying to capture the reader. Now he closes it with a satisfied sigh and sets it on the nightstand, his gaze stealing over Silas.

“Very well,” he says. “I’ll bite. What’s her name? I assume it’s a her?”

The last thing Silas wants to do is talk about Ellen. He doesn’t want to talk at all, because that would make Ken into a friend, and he’s not in the market for friends who lie to people and sell drugs.

“Can’t a guy take some care over his appearance?” Silas says, gathering his shoe brush and polish and carrying them over to his locker.

Ken purses his lips. “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine with me. I was just making conversation. If I’ve said or done something wrong…”

Silas’s hand tightens on the handle of his locker, willing his voice to stay even. “You haven’t upset me. I’m fine.”

“Right you are.” Ken tries for a smile. “We oldies need to stick together.”

It’s an innocent enough remark, and yet it causes bile to sour in Silas’s stomach. That he has anything in common with this sorry excuse for a man. Back on his bed, Silas laces up one shoe, and then the other, and as he goes to stand, the floor tilts.

“Storm,” Ken says, as the room rights itself. “Happens at this time of year.”

Silas takes a long breath, and slowly lets it out.

“Only lasts a few hours, unless it’s got a temper. My advice is to stay put.” Ken winks, and the dark circles around his eyes crinkle. “You’ll have to keep your lady love waiting a while longer.”

A voice sputters from a speaker overhead.

“Attention please. This is your captain with an important announcement. We are approaching rough seas. There is no immediate danger to our passengers or the ship, and no reason to be alarmed.”

The room tilts again. This time violently, and Ken’s book flies from his hand. Silas closes his eyes and tries to think past the pounding dread.

“If it gets bad, they’ll reroute us,” Ken says. “Bimini is supposed to be nice this time of year.”

Silas rolls onto his side, but can’t seem to find a comfortable position. “Where’s that?”

“The Bahamas. We get to spend Christmas Day on the beach.”

They can’t do that, Silas thinks. Surely. This ship is built to weather storms.

“Looks like your family reunion will have to wait awhile,” Ken says, retrieving his book and going back to reading.

* * *

When Ellen learned she had cancer, one person stayed by her side throughout. Julia was there until the last subway of the night, and they whiled away sticky summer afternoons playing canasta. When the pain became too much, Julia slept on the couch to be on hand no matter when.

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