Omnipotent

Chapter 3

I came to the television in shock trying hard to misdirect Zack's ideas. But sadly it was true. My face was shown on a news report calling me psychotic. I went back to my desk covering up the fact that the world knows me now by not Winter McKnight CEO of Greenlife Inc; but rather, Winter McKnight, The psycho guy who can talk to the dead. If I could I could crawl under my desk in a ball and cry, I would. "Don't feel bad," My secretary, Samantha Carson responded. She tried to make me feel better.

She had a nice voice with light black hair and an interesting way of understanding people. I tried to sip my coffee but the desk was so crowded, I couldn't find my cup. Just then the other shoe dropped when a muscular red haired worker taunted me and said: "AWWW. Look at that. Winter's secretary's cuddling him like his momma!" I didn't look up. I was angry and just said, "She's dead Jim. My mom is DEAD! Do you know how that feels when someone you love is gone? Especially in childhood?" I ran to him and punched him in the face, giving him a bloody nose. I didn't want anybody talking smack about my mother. I had tears all over my face now and sat to my seat. Coffee in hand to wake me up from this hellfire.

Jim went to the bathroom to get a tissue for his nose. My mother Ella was nice. Long dark chocolate angel hair that fell down to her hips. Her voice, so soft and graceful, it was like hearing birds sing. Her eyes. An alexandrite purple hue that shined every time she gazed into my steel grey ones, my brother James's brown ones, or my other Brother Rick's red ones. I can't see those beautiful eyes anymore. She was shot with my dad when they investigated a scene and was shot by Noah's, my dad's, own partner... When I heard about their death, I had to be on my own, and I hated that. I looked at my family photo that lay on my desk. My hands around Noah and Ella's necks, giving them big hugs. I cried some more and by the time I was done, it was already two thirty-five. I asked my boss to be excused in my lowest voice possible. I went to the vending machine and bought some chips for lunch because I only had five dollars. I then walked home munching my Pringles. I wasn't in the mood for a ride from the taxi. As I finally made it to the stairs of the apartment, I put the key into the hole, I opened my door. I smelled something foul in the kitchen. My breakfast had turned to brown egg plumps and hard as frozen steak, bacon strips. I put my breakfast in the trash. Weird. I didn't recall making this. Maybe someone did it for me? It was probably Autumn. You know how horrible her cooking is. I thought. "It's not possible" I said to myself out loud, taking my Eggo waffles out of its box and popping them to the toaster. "She's dead." I thought about it for a brief moment, setting my breakfast alone. My voice spoke again. Then who could have done it? It wasn't you. If it was Autumn she couldn't even hold the eggs. Ghosts can't hold eggs. That's crazy! I thought for a moment on what I did this morning. I had a rude awakening, had some crackers and milk, left for the taxi, and had work. Came here, and talked to myself just like I'm doing right now. My voice became vague with underestimation.

"You sure?" I nodded

"You're telling me that you did not cook breakfast and instead ate crackers and milk?"

"Honest."

There was knocking by my neighbor Mrs. Lott. A nice aging woman with a sweet voice and an honestly terrible chef. I opened the door. "Who were you talking to in there, Dear?

"Oh. Nobody."

"Nobody?" She paused for a moment at that juncture, and then replied. She does that when you know something's up. "Okay. If you say so. Oh. Subsequently you were at work and I heard you rushing, you forgot to lock the door. So made breakfast for you."

"You broke in?"

"No... Not at all, I...let myself in." I almosed accused her again, but she cut me off.

"Just trying to return the favor."

"you really don't have to break in.." I slurred to myself.

"What?"

"Nothing. Thanks Mrs. Lott."

My waffles suddenly popped out and I slammed the door. On the counter, my coffee from work sit. This usually wasn't my cup of Joe when I was a kid. I spread the butter, then pour the syrup on the waffles, sit down, and read the North Garden Gazebo, our town newspaper. I was still on it. I took a few morsels then my digital watch bleeped. It was time to go back to work. I grabbed my suitcase, a wallet full of twenty-five dollars and some cards, and my car keys. I drove to Starbucks in a Chevrolet Equinox and bought a hot chocolate. I drove quickly to Greenlife Inc, now awake and rushed to my desk with a smile, still hoping Mom doesn't call (somehow). The day's getting pretty good. Until I lay cheek first on the floor with a bloody nose. "Jim! What was that for?" I yelled. "Just returning the favor." Jim smiled. Just then the office phone rang. I answered it warily. A man with a deep voice spoke. "Come to the lobby of this building and find two muscular guys in suits. Follow them to the back room and your questions will be answered" I did as told and searched for muscular men with suits. I found then found them near the entrance. I then followed the men. They led me to the back room. Garbage Disposal. Why would two men lure me to the back to answer all my questions? And why here? Its scent is so foul, no wonder anybody comes here. It's like the recycling bin or garbage can that nobody takes out. I had to get to my parents. My dead parents. "I have places to go, gentlemen. I bet you do too." I replied. I pushed the two men out the way like double doors. It took a long time, but it worked. As I headed back to the lobby but then the man on the right side, "We know what you don't. You may think we are part of some Federal Investigation, but we are not." The man on the left stopped me. "If you ever want to see your family, it's a good idea to get your hands off the handle." Righty chimed in and said something.

"Oh. Your girlfriend. She's alive." He replied.

"What?"

"Yes; living, alive, breathing, reborn, you name it." Lefty replied. "But... you can go. I guess you don't want to see her. I understand if she's not that important. "I became furious due to that statement and yelled, "Not that important? Are you kidding?"

"Our work here is done" Righty told Lefty. "Indeed" Lefty told Righty. Both brawny men

shook hands and walked away leisurely, waiting for me to stop them. But what if it was a trap? Autumn's alive! Now you could see her! I thought. "Wait!" I stopped the men. They had smiles on their faces. "We'll call Small right away! Thank you for your time Winter McKnight." Righty keenly bellowed. They both shook my hand. One at a time.

Autumn and I had a good relationship. She was the bread and I was the pork and cheese. She always would ease me when I felt dejected. Just like when I met Jay. When I adopted Jay, my very first tomcat. Whom I found astray by a storefront; and one night his eyes meet mine and I just knew we were going to be as thick as thieves. Jay was adorable; he had brownish gold fur around his body and tail. He was a rag doll crossed with a Persian, and he had the longest floppy ears that touched the ground. Jay had a way of telling the good from the bad. We named him Jay because it means a willing man not giving up. But sadly one day he had disappeared into the woods. And never returned. I was devastated, but Autumn was right there. She was always there. I was doing this for Jay in the end. I locked the door of the trash room and said, "Here I go." Under my breath. As I turned to the elevator, Righty stood there and Lefty was behind me.