Ghost Human Bones

Anonymous

Whenever Misa smiles at Timothy, he reciprocates without missing a beat, eliciting a joyful flutter in her heart. This encounter marked their initial date, and given the warm chemistry between them, she anticipated the possibility of future encounters, leaving her eager for what lies ahead.

They dine at the renowned Cherri Cremonesi, an elegant ocean-view restaurant where Misa’s purse has its own seating, each course is served with its specific utensil, and the patrons are attired as if attending a fashion event. To Misa, opulent establishments like this seemed to be a product of fiction. It had never crossed her mind that she would experience dining at a venue exuding such fashionable sophistication.

“Wow.” Misa’s gray-blue eyes light up with excitement. “I’m really enjoying this place. Thanks for bringing me here, Timothy.”

“Of course. It brings me great joy.” He gracefully reaches across the table to reach for her hand, tenderly pressing his lips against it.

After a complimentary lemon sorbetto palate cleanser and cherries jubilee they share for dessert, their grim-faced server approaches, casting a shadow over their candlelit table beneath the stars.

“I’m sorry Mr. Hollow, a moment, please?” The server leans into Timothy’s ear. “I’m afraid your financial institution has declined your card.”

Timothy’s eyes shift between his raven-haired date and the server, yet he keeps his smile tight as he nods. “Can you try it again?” he asks.

“Yes sir, we did. Four times. Perhaps there is another method of payment? Or maybe you’d like to phone your financial institution?”

Timothy smiles like he’s being stabbed and forced to like it. Halfway out of his chair, he turns to Misa. “Be right back.”

Five uncomfortable minutes later, Timothy slides into his chair with a scowl. He drags his eyes to Misa.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“No. Hey, uh, I couldn’t reach my banker. Um… Do you…?”

The server returns to their table. Timothy’s hopeful blue eyes hold Misa’s.

Slowly, her eyebrows raise. “Are you asking me…” she presses a finger to her chest.

Timothy nods. “I don’t have money on me. Do you mind?”

“Oh.” Misa wondered if she had enough to cover the bill from her account. “How much—” Both the server and Timothy stare at her, waiting. “Uh, sure…” She shuffles a jittery hand inside her wallet to retrieve her bank card.

With haste, their server takes it from her grasp. “Thank you, Miss.”

“Wait.” Misa says, but the server takes off. She looks at Timothy, twisting her fingers in her lap. “How m-much was it?”

“It’s one-something, I think. I’m sorry, I swear I have money.” He whispers. “I don’t know why it got declined. Damn bank.”

“Oh, it happens.” Misa smiles, likely thinking he’ll pay her back for this minor inconvenience.

On the drive home after dinner, Timothy takes a detour and pulls up to a personal banking machine. “I’m sorry, I just have to check.” He tells his quiet date.

Misa observes as the machine ingests his bank card. Swiftly glancing back at her, he enters a code and chooses the View Balance option and waits, fixing his gaze on the stationary vehicles in the nearby shopping center. As an uncomfortable silence enveloped them, Misa mirrored his actions.

“Ah, see. I had a feeling this would happen,” he remarks while pointing at the screen. Misa glances over. From a distance, it appears that his balance shows as two thousand something. Although she’s uncertain as to why he was showing her this. He proceeds to press a few more options and black bills are dispensed. “Well, it’s working now! I’ll have to call them to see why my card was declined. They can’t blame it on a low balance, so it must be due to their inadequate system, as usual.” Timothy proceeds to count the money, stows it in his wallet, and departs.

Later that evening, while wrapped in a blanket and sipping on a cup of tea, Misa gazes at her dwindling account balance, pondering the means to settle her impending school fees considering Timothy’s failure to repay her.

On the nightstand, her phone vibrates with a message from Timothy.

Hey Misa, hope to get together again. Had a great night. Goodnight.

She scrolls up beside his name, selects more options, then: block contact.