The next morning was October 31.

Halloween.

I got up, showered and then did my morning routine. Coffee prepared. Ghost and Spirit all around my feet, until I opened their food and put it in their bowls.

Once i separated the two, at least a half dozen times, I would pour my coffee and lean against the counter.

.

I saw the cat play toy on the counter and I gently put it back against the counter.

I walked into the living room. The tv, of course, was on.

"Morning, Whisper."

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"Hi, Will," came an excited voice.

"Bend down."

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I leaned my head down and felt the feather touch against the side of my face.

I think I blushed again.

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Then I heard the all too familiar giggle.

"These cartoons are great, Will. I like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

But Bugs is not always nice to Daffy."

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I sat on the couch, laughing.

"No, he is not."

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"And they have a skunk on here that always tries to be a cat's boyfriend.

Do you think Ghost would like a skunk for a boyfriend?"

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I shook my head.

"I honestly don't think so, hun. I don't think cats and skunks could have babies."

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Whisper giggled.

"If they did, they could call them skats. Or maybe ..."

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I cut her off.

"I get what you are saying."

I knew what was coming next and I didn't think it would be appropriate for her to say.

"So, I am going into the village today."

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"The village?"

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"Yes. Maynard's Rock. There is a small village, not far from here."

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"Can I go with you?" she asked, excitedly.

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"I don't know."

It wasn't that I didn't want her to. I wasn't sure if she could.

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"Its okay. I don't think I can leave the house, anyway.

I have tried a couple times but I can't get through the walls on the outside of the house."

She giggled, loudly.

"Did you know I can walk through walls, Will?"

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I sipped my coffee, nodding, as I did so.

"I assumed you could. You are a ghost."

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"That means that I died, doesn't it, Will?"

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My heart was in my throat. I could feel tears filling my eyes.

I could only nod.

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"Its okay, Will. I don't remember anything about it."

She laughed quietly.

"I like that pig," she said, quickly.

"He is so funny and he can't talk right.

Bu ... bu ... but ... I ... lie ... lie ... like him."

Again she giggled.

"So when are you going to the village?"

.

"As soon as I have my coffee and get dressed."

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"I will stay here and babysit Ghost and Spirit."

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"I think that is a good idea."

I stood up.

"But no knives."

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She just laughed.

"I promise Will. Have fun in the village."

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I refilled my coffee and walked down the hall to my bedroom.

I decided to shave my head, since it was growing out slightly and I was used to the shaved head.

I stared at myself in the mirror.

Not too bad I guess.

I laughed at myself. When did i get vain?

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Fifteen minutes later, I said goodbye to Whisper, fought to keep the two kittens in the house, and went outside.

It was sunny, but there was a chill in the air.

I had planned to walk, but changed my mind and drove to the village in my Rav4. I could have afforded any car I wanted, but I fell in love with my burgundy Rav4, as soon as I saw it.

As I drove the winding 1/2 mile or so, of road to the village, I contemplated getting a small pickup truck as well. Since I had such a large property, I was sure there would be times it would certainly come in use.

By the time I reached Maynard's General Store, I had made up my mind. I would get a pickup in the spring and also see if I could hire some locals to build me a garden shed and maybe even a big garage, back from the house.

I would also have to check and see if was any snow clearing for the road that went to my house.

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As I walked into the store, I was greeted by a woman, who was about my age.

"Good morning."

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I smiled at her.

"Morning."

And then I blushed.

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The woman laughed.

"That is a nice shade of red you are wearing."

She offered me her hand.

"My name is Sheila Parsons. I am John's sister."

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I shook her hand gently.

"Mayor Maynard?"

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She nodded.

"Just call him John."

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"Okay, Sheila."

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"And you must be Will Templeton," she commented walking toward the main counter in the store.

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"I am sorry," I apologized.

"Yes, I am Will."

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She went behind the counter and poured a coffee.

"Would you like one?" she offered, turning to me.

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"Sure. Just black."

I reached into my pocket for some change.

"How much do I owe you?"

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"For what?" she wondered, passing me the coffee.

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I pointed at the mug.

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Sheila laughed and passed it to me.

"The coffee is free, Will."

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I blushed again.

"Thank you."

Sheila was not a beauty queen, but she was an attractive woman, with shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes.

She wasn't that tall, but very slim and she had a smile that simply radiated.

And she made me feel comfortable.

I sipped the coffee. It was perfect.

"It is great. Thank you."

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"So, how can I help you, Will? I know you didn't come here for just the coffee."

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I shook my head.

"I was hoping to see John. I have a few questions to ask him."

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She sat on a stool behind the counter, sipping her coffee, holding it with two hands.

"Perhaps I can help you."

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"Maybe."

I sipped my coffee.

"Where do I start?"

I laughed, nervously.

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"At the beginning is usually a good place," she whispered, smiling.

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I nodded, looking behind her.

"I don't see any cigars here."

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She shook her head.

"Not much call for them here, Will. Most everyone here just smokes regular cigarettes."

She reached under the counter and pulled out a notebook.

"But if there is anything special you want, I will see about getting it for you."

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"Well I like Colt cigarillos. The ones with the plastic tip."

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She nodded.

"Rum flavoured, wine dipped."

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"That's the ones."

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"I would suggest White Owls, as well. They are a nice cigar and not too expensive."

.

"You know your cigars?"

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She smiled, a sad smile.

"My late husband used to smoke them. He drowned a couple years ago."

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My heart sank.

"I am so sorry."

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"Its okay. I am happy here. Henry and I moved back here, after the accident.

I didn't want him growing up in a big city, alone, especially with no father figure in his life."

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I nodded. I didn't know what to say.

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Sheila must have noticed, because she looked back to the notebook.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to talk your ear off."

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"No," I answered quickly.

"Its just that I am not used to talking to people. I have always been a bit of a loner.

Well, a lot of a loner."

I took a deep breath.

"I just don't know what to say, other than I am sorry."

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She smiled.

"You are a strange one, aren't you, Will Templeton?"

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I nodded.

"Very much so. But I prefer ...

unique."

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She smiled, her beautiful smile.

"Then unique it is."

She stared at me for a few seconds and I could swear her cheeks started to flush.

"Okayyyyy," she exaggerated.

"Is there anything else unique you would like?"

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"Scotch."

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She looked surprised.

"Now there is something we rarely get a request for. Even at the Pub, we only get maybe one request a year."

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"Well, it is an acquired taste, but I like it."

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Sheila thought for a moment.

"There just might be a bottle or two in the storeroom. Just give me a second and I will check it out for you."

She got up and walked to the end of the counter and disappeared into a room to the right.

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"Dat scotch stuff tastes a little like parfume," came a man's voice from behind me.

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I smiled as I turned.

"There are many that would agree with you , but ..."

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There was no one in the store with me.