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“That was before you grew a whole body.”
“We don’t know the rules. I could get thrown into another dimension.”
They had spent the entire evening puzzling over the miracle of Montgomery’s corporal awakening and came up blank. Willow even chanced conjuring a mirror charm to contact Esme for help. She did not crack the mirror, and there was no black smoke, thank the Fates. And of course her sisters Ivy and Bliss ran to the mirror to take a peek behind Esme’s shoulders at the man who might or not be still a ghost. It was quite thrilling and perplexing to all four of the witches, but no matter how many books they searched through that night, there was no indication something like this had ever happened before. They ended the night more confused than ever, and Esme made Willow promise she’d bring her ghostman to visit.
“We’re exploring new territory here. Anything can happen at any time.” Willow wrapped her hand around Montgomery’s and squeezed. “I’ll go through the door with you and I promise I’ll hold on tight.”
Montgomery squeezed back. “Don’t let go.”
“I won’t let go.”
Willow stood up taking Montgomery with her and walked right up to the front door. “Ready?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“No time like the present. On three. One, two… oh wait. I almost forgot my purse.” She let go of him momentarily, leaving him at the door clutching his chest.
“The property records said I died of consumption? Are you sure it wasn’t angina?”
“Just breathe. And close your eyes.” Willow took his hand again and led him to the threshold, edging the tips of their toes right up to the doorway.
“I gotcha, boo,” said Willow, and for good luck, she raised up on her tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek.
His surprise and delight set him in a blissful daze when Willow leapt through the door, pulling him along with her. When Montgomery’s feet landed on the sidewalk, his whole face cracked into the widest smile Willow had ever seen. He puffed up his chest, lifted his face to the sun, and inhaled the first fresh air he’d breathed in over a century.
“You’re still here,” Willow said brightly, not letting go of him. But Montgomery tugged her by their adjoining hands and pulled her into his arms… and held on.
“Thank you,” he whispered into her hair. And she sensed his voice quiver as he repeated again and again, “Thank you. Thank you.”
When he pulled back, she watched a single tear track down his cheek and caught it with her thumb.
“See?” she said, showing him the drop on her thumb. “You drank so much tea, it’s coming out of your eyeballs.”
He sniffled and laughed mildly. “That reminds me. We’re out of chamomile.”
“We’ll pick some up. But first, I want to take you somewhere.”
They strolled down the sidewalk hand in hand (mostly because Montgomery wasn’t sure if he’d disappear if he let go) and Willow watched him take in the modern updates to the town. He looked at everything in wonder, seeing many things for the first time.
“Goodness gracious,” he said, “Look at these automobiles!”
“You haven’t seen a modern car before?”
“On the television, yes. When the Moonstone was a sports bar. But never in person.”
“What about the cars driving by the shop?”
“I could only see a few feet beyond the windows.”
“Do you want to touch one?”
“Heavens no. I mean, yes… but I wouldn’t dare.”
“Why not?” Willow dragged him to the curb where an old, rusty economy car was parked. “Go ahead. Touch it.”
She tapped her fingers on the hood to demonstrate.
“Will the owner be upset?” he asked.
