One Foot In & One Foot Out

Chapter 37.2

"That's not lame! That's so cute," she says smiling and grabbing his arm to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe that'll be us one day?"

Jael looks at him in surprise, "Do you want it to be us one day?"

"Yeah," he smiles, "I'd totally love that," he says kissing her forehead.

After a fun-filled warm successful date, the couple made their way back to Kostas' apartment.

Jael made sure that she got another "Italian sausage" before they passed out asleep exhausted in his bed.

While being wrapped up in the loving embrace of Kostas, Jael got the sudden urge to pee. She wiggled her way out of his firm arms and turned over to look at him to be sure she hadn't stirred him from his peaceful slumber.

Throwing on her pajama top, Jael made her way out of his room and walked down the dimly lit hall, making sure to not also wake up Kostas' Huskie, Pup, on her way to the bathroom.

She made it there, used the toilet, then stood in front of the sink and mirror to wash her hands.

Before she turned away from the mirror, she noticed that her reflection was not the only one being reflected. She turned to glance behind her but didn't notice anyone there.

Looking back to the mirror, she still saw the reflection of a little old couple that seemed oddly familiar.

When it finally dawned on Jael who the couple was, she sighed and became saddened. It was the cute little old couple from the festival.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered to the mirror, "I'll be back."

"I guess I'm a reaper again," she thought to herself.

Jael made her way back to a sleeping Kostas and shook him awake. He groggily opened his eyes and rubbed them gently.

"Hey, you ok?" He asked, pulling her back down onto the bed and wrapping his arms around her again to spoon her.

"I've got to go on a little night mission. My reaper abilities are back, and I have a job," Jael responds.

"Really? They're back? That's good to hear, but you sure you can't just ignore it and come back to bed? I'm gonna be cold," he joked.

Jael turned in his embrace and smiled at him, "As much as I want to stay in bed and keep you warm, I have to go. I'll be back soon."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Kostas reluctantly released her and she rises to dress herself in some proper clothes. She couldn't find the heart to tell Kostas who the couple was that had died. After throwing on her jacket, she kissed him on the head and walked back to the door.

"I love you, girlfriend," he says sleepily.

Jael stops in her tracks.

Did he mean that? Or was this just sleep talk?

"I meant that," he said like he was reading her mind.

She smiled, "I love you too, boyfriend."

Making her way back to the bathroom, Jael saw that the couple's reflections were still standing there. Reaching her hand out to the mirror, the woman does the same as if to touch Jael's hand.

Jael is instantly transported to the bathroom of a dark house that she doesn't recognize. She exits the bathroom and walked towards a room with an open door to see the little old couple's bodies lying peacefully in the bed, but their souls sitting on the edge like they were waiting for her to come for them.

"What happened?" Jael asked them.

"We were on our way home from the festival. Some young person crashed their car into the back of us and Emilio and I hit our heads. He on the steering wheel, and me on the dash. The person who hit us drove away without checking on us. I guess they were scared of what would happen.

We just had some bruising on our heads, but other than that we were fine, so we came home. I guess our injuries were worse than we thought. We are old. I guess our bodies were more damaged than we thought," the woman repeated.

"What is your name?"

"Margaret."

"I'm very sorry Mrs. Margaret, Mr. Emilio. This shouldn't have happened to you and I'm so very sorry it did."

"Oh, sweetheart, my Margaret and I lived a long full life. Our last day was spent enjoying each other's company amongst other happy people. We'll be fine as long as we have each other."

Even though Mr. Emilio was trying to reassure her, Jael was still very upset about their passing.

"Do you have anyone special in your life sweetie?" Mrs. Margaret asked.

"I do," Jael smiled, thinking about Kostas who was likely sound asleep.

"Do you love them?" Mr. Emilio asked this time.

"I do," Jael answers.

"Then hold them tight and never let go. Never take the time you two have together for granted. Spend every day as if it very well may be your last. Set out to do all the things you've wanted to do together. Work out and forgive any disagreements the two of you may have with the other. Cherish that person! Life can get lonely by yourself. Especially the older you get. Wouldn't it be lovely to have someone by your side?"

Jael smiled and wiped the tears that seemed to have made their way to her cheeks without her knowing. Older people hold so much wisdom.

"Thank you," she said hugging them both.

"We're ready to go now sweetie," Mrs. Margaret says grasping her husband's hand and looking at him.

Jael nods, and in the blink of an eye, the three of them were gone.

When Jael returned to Kostas' house and back into his room once more, she noticed that he had fallen back soundly asleep. He must've been really tired.

Taking off the clothes she had on and slipping back into her pajamas, Jael carefully crept back into bed next to him, scooting her back closer to him to feel the warmth radiating from his body.

Just as she was getting settled, her cell phone chimed with a notification.

"Who the heck could that be? It's like four in the morning," she says annoyed and reaching over to the nightstand to retrieve her phone. She whispered to no one but herself, "A message from Davin? What does he want?"

*Jael, how would you like to become the next queen of The Middle? *