Page 96 of Ghost

Ghost

Baker gazed out the window of his office, looking at who knows what. I knew not to talk to him while he was peering through the glass. It was the time that he took every day to relax. Staring out the window while music played was his means of escape.

The same as Abby and me sitting on her deck watching the sunset.

I sat in the chair on the opposite side of his desk and enjoyed the music that was playing. When the song ended, he turned around.

Upon seeing me, he gave a nod. “How’s it going, Brother Ghost?”

“Going good, thanks.”

He stroked his beard as he looked me over. “What brings you in? Hell, you haven’t been up here in ages.”

“Just wanting to talk.”

“About?”

“Well, first, what was that song that was playing? I liked it?”

“Peter Gabriel. In Your Eyes.”

I recognized the artist as being the singer of Abby’s favorite song. “Have you heard Solsbury Hill? Same guy, I guess.”

“I have,” he said. “You’ve never heard it?”

“She was going to play it for me but hasn’t got around to it. Just wondered what it was about. I liked that last one.”

He reached for his phone, fucked with it for a moment, and then set it on his desk. In a few seconds, a song began to play.

I closed my eyes and listened intently. I didn’t perceive the song as spiritual, as Abby had described it. To me, it was more of a revelation about a man who was finding himself. When the song ended, I opened my eyes.

“What’s that about, in your opinion?”

“It’s about him finding himself after he quit the band he’d been playing in. He talks about making it from day to day, and how his life was in a rut. He talks about his life being filled with people who had no etiquette, and how he was going to find his own way. It’s about taking your own inventory and moving on without the baggage. That’s what I hear, anyway.”

“Good tune. Kind of timeless,” I said.

“I agree.” He turned down the music and stood. “I know you’re not here to talk music. How’s the girl?”

“Abby? She’s great, thanks.”

“Didn’t wreck the car, did you?”

“Nope.”

I crossed my arms and looked around the room. “Bought a ring.”

“I’m guessing it’s not a clunky sterling silver set-up with a skull on it, is it?”

I laughed. “Nope.”

“You’re proposing to her?”

“Planning on it.”

“It’s a good feeling. Committing to a woman you love. I proposed to Andy on Christmas morning.”

“Do you have any regrets?”