“I can’t say I have,” Ever responded. His eyes glazed over as he thought back to 30 days ago when he’d arrived back on Earth. Everything was so much: the sounds, the smells, the light and the shadows, all weaving together in a fabric that made no sense. He had vague memories of his existence as a soul in the Underworld, though the Readings that Death had instructed him to learn were clearer in his mind.

  The door squeaked open as customers walked in: it looked to be a father, mother, an older boy and a younger girl. One of the fascinating things Ever found so far about humans was how their physical appearance told a story in of itself of their origins.

  “Good afternoon, how’s it going?”

  “Great thank you, thought we’d stop by to get some ice cream before we melt!” The mother said. Her curly red hair bounced as she fanned herself looking up at the menu.

  “What would you two like? Did you want to try some flavors first?” Chaos asked with a gentle smile.

  “Did you want to tell the gentleman what flavors you wanted to try?” The father encouraged. The boy had green eyes like his mother, but his hair was wavy and brown, like his father.

  The younger girl clasped her father’s hand and hid behind it. While facially she had the cheekbones of her mother, that’s where the similarities stopped. Her eyes were blue and her hair was straight, light blonde and long. Perhaps she wasn't a blood relation at all.

  Another customer came in; the door didn’t open. It was an older gentleman, wearing a sensible suit, probably in brown. He also held a cane, leaning into it on his right side, though that happened more as habit than by actual need.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  As he locked eyes with Ever, his name materialized in cursive writing above his head:

  Tom Stojkovski

  19 Feb 1942 - 20 October 2022

  He tipped his hat slightly. “It’s been a while since someone’s seen me.”

  Ever looked at Chaos, who was reaching over and giving each of the children their ice creams. He didn’t seem to notice Tom in the room.

  *Hello, Tom. I’m Death’s apprentice, Ever.*

  “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ever.”

  *Likewise.* Ever started scooping the mother’s order of strawberry sorbet. He wasn’t sure he could summon the scythe while in human form. Was that why Tom was here? He placed the cup of sorbet on top of the ice cream display. *Is there a flavor you would like to try?*

  “No, I’m fine, thank you.” He floated over to the little girl with blonde hair, watching her with fondness.

  *She is your…?*

  “My granddaughter, yes. I died at half past six in the morning and she was born two hours later. The old body couldn’t hold on for another day.”

  *Ah I see. I’m sorry.*

  With Tom and his granddaughter side by side, he saw the similarities between him, the mother and the little girl. More than that, there was a carefulness to the way the little girl inspected the ice cream and licked at it, reflected in Tom’s watchful warmth close to her but not too close, as if he were afraid that by touching her she would disappear.

  *It’s OK to leave when you’re ready.*

  Tom nodded his thanks at Ever, floating after the family as they left the ice cream shop.