Death orders a plate of bacon, black coffee, and fresh ham. Life orders a plate of scrambled egg whites and a stack of strawberry pancakes with whipped cream. She even asks for soy milk with a smile that could conjure sunshine.
“You’re dead to me.” Death says wearily, as their waitress shoots them a glare that could melt the diner windows.
Life’s lips curl, and she puts out a brown hand on the table, tilting it so the diamond ring on her finger glittered.
“Tough; you’re stuck with me for life.”
Life pumps the breaks the moment she sees the next souvenir shop and hops out of the car as soon as Death says she’ll do the obligatory gas check. As Life orders the garishly colored Kansas magnet piece and snacks for the road, the woman at the countertop eyes the way her gold bracelets flash against her dark skin.
Life smiles. “They aren’t for sale.”
“Who gave them to you?” The shopkeeper asks lightly, the unspoken question of did you steal them heavy in the air.
The woman starts. She looks out the window to see Death leaning against the hood of their car, blonde hair tangled in her loose tank top. Life’s brown eyes dance with amusement as the shopkeeper struggles over what to say. It’s the grating noise of the receipt machine that saves her from answering, and Life soon saunters out of the shop, magnet and goodies in tow.
Death leans down to make sure Life can tie the beige ribbon around her head, but Life wipes away the dirt and grime from her forehead before she does.
“You must be exhausted.” Life whispers, pressing a kiss on Death’s cheek that burns even after she pulls away.
They’re in the vacant parking lot of an old strip mall with Life looking at her like she’s about to collapse.
Death leans back on the driver’s seat and gives a tired, but grateful nod. “It’ll get easier.”
Life doesn’t answer; she only leans her head against Death’s shoulder and closes her eyes.
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