YouKnow WhatHappensAfter Dark

Freddy felt the dead people the most at night. That was the only way she could put it.When she understood what was happening, that is.Like most stories about dead people and their re-entry into thisworld, Freddy’s story begins with the usual:

It wasn’t always that way.

Part One: When it began…

Freddy was 20 years old, and newly out on her own. She’dmoved out of her parents house at 19 and ½, and moved out of her ex-boyfriend’s house just three weeks after that. Too proud to tell herparents they’d been right (or even let them think it if she’d gone backto them and said she needed her old room back) she’d spent twonights on the street before finding a small apartment near therestaurant she worked second shift at.“So at least I got a place to go home to tonight,” she said to Lois,who had an old-lady name but was Freddy’s age. The two usuallyworked together at the restaurant, which tried very hard to recall thespirit of a 1950’s diner while trying not at all to use the prices set backthen. They were standing in the entryway under the overhangingawning, with Lois lighting a cigarette and eyeing the misty rain thatwas falling.“You sure you don’t want a ride?” she asked Freddy. Freddypulled her hood up and shook her head back and forth once.“Uh uh. I’ll be fine. It’s not far. I don’t get cold that easy.” Shewaved to Lois and began walking into the rain. Lois called back, “Justlemme finish my smoke. I’m going that way anyway!”But Freddy waved her off and kept walking. It was almostmidnight and the streets were quiet. The streetlights fuzzed in themisted sky and didn’t quite cast enough light to show her where she

was going. They looked to her like larger, closer stars. She thoughtthey were pretty like that.She tucked her hands into the pocket in the front of hersweatshirt, just under the

UCLA

across the chest. She hummed a little,tunelessly, as she walked, head down.A horn honked, right next to her, causing her to jump. She turnedto her left and saw Lois, in her parents’ car, pulling alongside her.“C’mon, get in here,” Lois said. “You’ll get soaked.”“I don’t mind walking, really,” said Jenny. She didn’t like to ridewith Lois. Lois was

not

a good driver. Plus she thought Lois might be alittle high tonight. She’d seemed unusually happy and jumpy.“Suit yourself,” said Lois, and turned the volume on the CDplayer up to where Freddy could hear the thump-thump-thump of thebass in the song but nothing else. Lois waved through the passengerwindow as it rolled up. She floored it and sped off, turning the corner ablock up almost on two wheels already.Freddy, later, would think that she was lucky to have not gotteninto the car with Lois that night.Not long after that, Freddy would wish that she

had

gotten intothe car.