Shorty Saturday. I know it’s been a week with a few short ones. But this is your regularly scheduled short short. Next time you settle in to work at Starbucks take a look around and see if anyone is paying you too much attention…

I’ve been sitting at the table at the Starbucks down the road from my work for twenty minutes now, and the guy in the corner has been watching me since I took my computer out. I can see him just out of my peripheral vision. He looks like he’s dressed for work – something outdoors, judging by the heavy canvas pants and the denim work shirt. His cheeks are stubbled with maybe a day’s worth of growth, but his goatee is well kept. His sharp eyes under heavy brows have traced between me and my computer. I’m at an oblique angle to him, so he can’t see my monitor. And, sure, maybe he’s taking issue with some of the stickers on my laptop – maybe the astronaut girl? The “FEMINIST” sticker? The “Let’s Summon Demons!” sticker? 

No, he’s definitely looking more at me. I should go. I can write in the car. That’s fine. Wait, no, goddamn Starbucks and their wifi! 

Okay, I’m going to ignore him. I can write a ghost story for today with some weirdo staring at me. No big deal. Focus, Jordy. Focus.

He’s getting up. He’s walking over here deliberately. 

He just leaned down close to my ear and said quietly so only I could hear, “I’m your ghost story today.” 

Now he’s walking back towards the bathrooms.

Oh shit. 

He just disappeared. Vanished. Didn’t even make it to the bathrooms. 

What the hell?