Working as a cashier in a small town was quite rewarding, even though the pay wasn't great and she had to do the job of stocker and bagger as well, at least until her boss could hire someone else. She'd overheard coworkers saying the two who had held those positions had been abruptly fired a few days earlier for stealing and reselling cigarettes. The townsfolk seemed friendly, except for the older gentleman who came in at least twice a day and repeatedly griped about the price of everything from toilet paper to cheese and seemingly every item in between.
"That's ole man Whittaker. He's just an old sour puss. Ignore him," her boss had told her on her first day.
Ms. Sarah, as she called herself, was another regular in the store. The woman talked Ella's ear off every time she came through her line. But instead of complaining like Mr. Whittaker, Ms. Sarah complimented her blouse or invited her to come get her hair done at the woman's salon across the street. Ms. Sarah was one of the customers Ella enjoyed talking with.
Another person she looked forward to seeing every day at lunchtime was an officer with the local police department. He came in daily, since her second day at the store, between eleven-thirty and twelve-thirty to get a bottled soda and a bag of chips. The tag on his uniform said "Hawkins," and she used that to make conversation the first time they met. "How are you today, Officer... Hawkins?"
"I'm good, actually," he answered with an enthusiastic smile. "How are you..." he started as he read her name tag, "Ella?"
"I'm doing well, thank you," she smiled back.
"I've not seen you in here before," he stated as he accepted his change.
"I just moved to town about three days ago."
"Ah... Okay, well that explains it," he said as he picked up the bag with his items. But instead of immediately leaving, he continued to stand there glancing from her to the floor to the customer in line behind him. Only when the little, elderly lady behind him bumped him in the rear with her cart did he clear his throat and say, "Well, it was nice to meet you, Ella. I will see you tomorrow." And just like clockwork, every day since then he came in the store, bought a bottled soda and a bag of chips, waited in line as long as it took to have her ring up his items, paid for them, and stood around talking for a few minutes until telling her he would see her tomorrow.
Officer Hawkins' attractiveness had not been lost on Ella. With his auburn, crewcut hair, light freckles across the bridge of his nose, and stubble on his chin, she was quickly smitten. His fit physique was evident from the way his uniform fit him, and his charismatic charm, handsome smile, and obvious interest in her were only bonuses. She looked forward to going to work every day just to see and talk to him.
Ella had been working at the store for a week now and had just gotten her first paycheck. With it, she bought groceries and paint for the bathroom. She planned to sand off the old, peeling paint and brighten the room a bit with a pretty aqua blue shade with white trim. She hoped her supernatural roommate would like the new colors as well.
She still hadn't gotten an answer to her numerous questions regarding the spirit she could now sense whenever it was near. Even though she couldn't see the ghost, she felt a wave of calm and safety when it was around. She regularly carried on one-sided conversations with the entity.
"I'm home from work," she called out as she brought in the groceries and paint. "I'm off both days this weekend, so I'm going to paint the bathroom," she added while putting the milk, cheese, and eggs in the refrigerator. "I'm going to take a shower, and then I will make dinner," she detailed before hurrying up the stairs.
Later, as she sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy the scrambled eggs and toast she had just prepared, she invited the spirit to join her. "I don't think ghosts eat, but you are welcome to join me here at the table."
The chair in front of her shifted slightly to the left and then scratched across the floor to allow enough distance for someone to take a seat. Her breath caught in her throat for a moment at the shock of the situation, but she then continued to eat as though nothing had happened. "You know, I never really believed in ghosts before," she muttered, attempting to make conversation. She could feel the invisible eyes upon her. "But I'm glad you're here," she added after a few minutes of silence.
Once she had finished eating and cleaned up, she went upstairs to get ready for bed. She wanted to get an early start on the bathroom in the morning, so she was going to bed earlier than normal. As she turned off the lamp beside the bed, she said her usual, "Goodnight," to the presence.
"Goodnight," a voice in the darkness repeated.
Jerking up to a sitting position, she quickly switched the lamp back on. She was surprised to still be the only visible soul in the room. "What is your name?" she tried once more.
"Cole," the spirit answered after some hesitation.
Nearly ecstatic at getting an answer, she replied, "Hello, Cole. I'm Ella."