{"id":7972,"date":"2020-05-17T02:21:58","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T02:21:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/?p=7972"},"modified":"2020-05-17T02:21:58","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T02:21:58","slug":"mirror-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/2020\/05\/mirror-man\/","title":{"rendered":"MIRROR MAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mirror Man<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a9 2020 by Leigh Grissom<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 1, 2021<\/p>\n

\n

\u200bI think I\u2019m losing my mind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI must be. Diaries are stupid and I don\u2019t have time for this. I\u2019d love to talk it out with someone, but they\u2019ll just eyeball me like I\u2019m a loony and I don\u2019t have time for that, either.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI\u2019m going to be dead soon. I\u2019m sure of it. Please, whoever finds this \u2013 I need you to understand that I didn\u2019t do this of my own free will. I\u2019m a loser, but I\u2019m not suicidal. I just don\u2019t think I have a choice anymore.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI can\u2019t keep going.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Friday nights were the worst. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie told himself every Friday morning that this one would be different, but it wasn\u2019t. He\u2019d clock out from work, go home, <\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span>have his first beer while he changed into his jean<\/span><\/span>s. L<\/span><\/span>ess than two hours later, he\u2019d be in a cab heading downtown for a night of binge <\/span><\/span>drinking and picking up someone who would drive him home<\/span><\/span> if his best friend didn\u2019t show up to rescue him<\/span><\/span>. After last call, he was usually too broke to take a ca<\/span><\/span>b. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cBut at least I don\u2019t drink and drive.\u201d Eddie muttered to himself, hoping it would make him feel better. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIt never did.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The bartender at Sweeney\u2019s cut <\/span><\/span>Eddie<\/span><\/span> off after only four beers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnough is enough, Eddie. You\u2019re done for the night.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, come on, Denny, I\u2019ve had a hell of a week.\u201d Eddie protested. He thought about making a scene, but he didn\u2019t. <\/span><\/span>He never made waves. Ever.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDude, I\u2019ve been doing this forever.\u201d Denny told him. \u201cAnd I know people who come here to be social, and <\/span><\/span>people who come here to drown something. You\u2019re trying to drown something, and I won\u2019t be a part of it.\u201d He slid Eddie a basket of fries. \u201cOn the house. Eat, drink some water, and go home, Eddie.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie snorted in half-drunk disdain. \u201cA bartender with a conscience. You\u2019re so \u2026 damn \u2026 right. Thanks, Denny.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou need cab money to get home?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNah. Some jackass bartender cut me off early, so I have enough.\u201d Eddie grinned.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cBite me, Eddie.\u201d Denny walked off to help another customer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie shook his head and laughed. \u201cGoodnight, Denny!\u201d He <\/span><\/span>slid the fries to the couple next to him, <\/span><\/span>dropped a twenty on the bar<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> and headed out into the night.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The <\/span><\/span>evening <\/span><\/span>air was a cool relief from the stuffy, smoke-filled <\/span><\/span>club<\/span><\/span>. Eddie took a deep breath and his head cleared a little. He decided to take a short walk and sober up for a few, then he\u2019d hail a cab.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bFor the first time in months of Friday-night carousing, he looked at the other store fronts in the club district. Sandwich shops, a couple of full-scale restaurants, <\/span><\/span>one sex toy shop, <\/span><\/span>dive bars by the block, <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span>\u2013 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bPSYCHIC READINGS BY MADAME AGNESSA.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stopped and stared at the purple neon <\/span><\/span>flickering<\/span><\/span> in the window. He\u2019d never noticed the sign before; how long had a psychic been so close to his favorite <\/span><\/span>place to drink<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cAh, what the hell.\u201d <\/span><\/span>It was early, he still had cash on him, and he\u2019d never been to a psychic. Maybe she could <\/span><\/span>help him get the lottery numbers so he could start a life somewhere else<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He <\/span><\/span>straightened<\/span><\/span> his T-shirt, smoothed his hair, and stumbled into the shop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHello?\u201d<\/span><\/span> he called.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe room was cozy, <\/span><\/span>lit only by one small touch-lamp on a stand near the door and several pillar candles on an old wooden table in <\/span><\/span>front of a bay window<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHello?\u201d<\/span><\/span> Eddie called again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bA woman\u2019s voice called from a darkened doorway opposite from where he stood. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHello! Sign the guest book by the door and I\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cUh, sure.\u201d He scrawled his name and waited, not sure why he didn\u2019t just turn around and leave.<\/span><\/span> He noticed a list next to the guest book and read the services she offered. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHuh. Past life readings.\u201d Maybe he\u2019d ask for one and figure out if he\u2019d always been a loser, or was it just this lifetime.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHere I come!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bShe was older, but Eddie couldn\u2019t determine her age. Silver hair stretched down past her shoulders in thick waves. She was dressed in a blue and white sarafan <\/span><\/span>that left everything to the imagination. <\/span><\/span>She moved like a dancer, and Eddie found it strangely charming when he realized she was barefoot.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHello, traveler! Have you come to find answers?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cUh, well, yeah, I guess so.\u201d One answer he wanted was where she was born. Her accent was soft and almost lyrical. The longer Eddie looked at her, the more he wondered if she was really as old as he\u2019d originally thought. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cGood, good, come and sit.\u201d She <\/span><\/span>indicated a small table in the middle of the room. \u201cMy readings are done here.\u201d She pulled out a chair for him<\/span><\/span>. \u201cI am Madame Agnessa. Welcome.\u201d She sat down on the opposite side of the table and regarded him <\/span><\/span>with wide, gray eyes<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Eddie felt like she was looking straight into his soul.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is your first name, traveler?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHello, Eddie.\u201d She took a deck of cards from a pocket of her dress and laid them on the table. \u201cI can show you the answers you seek. Present, the past, and even the future. Tell me yo<\/span><\/span>ur desire<\/span><\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHow about a past<\/span><\/span> life reading?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cAh yes, past lives, past lives.\u201d Agnessa shuffled the cards and laid five face-down on the table. \u201cWho were you, Eddie? Close your eyes, breathe deep, and clear your mind.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThis was ludicrous and he knew it, but he was still a little drunk, and he had no reason to go home. He closed his eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cMind clear, heart clear, soul clear, let me hear. Clear the clouds so I may see who my friend Eddie used to be.\u201d A short pause. \u201cI see a man.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWell, that\u2019s good. At least I wasn\u2019t a duck or something<\/span><\/span>. Eddie almost laughed, but thought better of it. He shivered, but didn\u2019t open his eyes. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou are good-looking, well-dressed, dark hair, darker eyes. You are adored throughout the country. I see voting booths. A politician? No, wait \u2026 higher than that\u2026 don\u2019t open your eyes, Eddie, and reach your hands toward my voice.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe leaned forward and reached out. Her cool hands took his, and he felt a sudden shockwave up both his arms. He tried to pull back, but her grip was firm.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI see \u2026 no \u2026 this isn\u2019t before. This is coming. This is who you will be. I see\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span> Her hands shook. \u201cIt\u2019s you. You\u2019re the one\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe was sobering up quickl<\/span><\/span>y<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Eddie<\/span><\/span> opened his eyes. Agnessa\u2019s eyes were squeezed shut, and tears slipped <\/span><\/span>through her thick eyelashes. Still, he couldn\u2019t break her grip.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDiavolul \u2026 the end of everything\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bFear chased the rest of the alcohol from his system. <\/span><\/span>\u201cWhat <\/span><\/span>does that mean<\/span><\/span>? <\/span><\/span>Madame? Agnessa? Let go of me<\/span><\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe psychic\u2019s eyes flew open and she let go of his hands. A sudden blast of cold air shot through the room, blowing out the candles and plunging them into near-darkness. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie was very, very afraid. <\/span><\/span>\u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAgnessa pushed away from the table and scrambled to her feet. \u201cGet out.\u201d When he didn\u2019t move, she pointed to the door. \u201cI said get out!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stood up. \u201cWhat did you see?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou will return, Eddie \u2026 and you will bring death to millions! Monster! Diavolul! <\/span><\/span>The end of everything! <\/span><\/span>Get out!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d He backed toward the door. \u201c<\/span><\/span>What do you mean?<\/span><\/span>\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet out!\u201d Agnessa flashed the sign of the evil eye at him. \u201cGo! I cast you out!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie reached for his wallet. \u201cAt least let me \u2013\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo! Keep your money and get out! Never come here again! Diavolul!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie left quickly, her shouts of \u201c<\/span><\/span>D<\/span><\/span>iavolul<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u201d following him <\/span><\/span>into the night<\/span><\/span>. His whole body felt chilled, and he couldn\u2019t make sense of what she\u2019d said. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe end of everything<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIt was bullshit. It had to be! He quickly walked several blocks away from the shop, and hailed a cab to go home. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cShe\u2019s crazy.\u201d He shivered, remembering that cold blast of air. <\/span><\/span>The terror in her eyes. <\/span><\/span>\u201cShe has to be crazy.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 2, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bI looked up every possible way to spell what that crazy witch said to me. The closest I can get i<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>DIAVOLUL. It\u2019s Romanian for \u201cdevil.\u201d I\u2019m not a devil! But the things I\u2019ve seen since then \u2013 it makes no sense! Did she do something to me? Was there something in the air that I breathed in? Did she hypnotize me? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bOne thing\u2019s for sure. <\/span><\/span>Her shop is gone. Completely. I went back and looked for it, and it\u2019s like that shop front has always been empty. Where did she go? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWhat the hell is happening to me<\/span><\/span>?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200bEddie hid in his apartment all day Saturday, and only left to do his laundry on Sunday. Every time he remembered the terrified woman screaming at him, he would turn up the TV and try to distract himself. He craved a drink, but wouldn\u2019t give in to the desire. <\/span><\/span>He knew, deep down, she was full of it. All psychics were. But God, she was so adamant, so convinced he was going to come back as this \u201cdiavo-whatsit\u201d that he couldn\u2019t just write off her fear. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bReincarnation. He\u2019d seen movies. He\u2019d read dumb stories in the tabloids about kids who knew too much about the past. But it wasn\u2019t real. It couldn\u2019t be! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe jumped when his phone rang. <\/span><\/span>Eddie<\/span><\/span> laughed out loud; Madame Agnessa didn\u2019t have his phone number. He didn\u2019t write it down in her guest book. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bStill, he had to swallow<\/span><\/span> and gather his nerve<\/span><\/span> before he could answer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie! Dude! I\u2019ve been calling for two days! Why weren\u2019t you at Sweeney\u2019s Friday night?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie exhaled. \u201cJim. Hey man.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHis best friend laughed. \u201cUm, yeah, that\u2019s my name on your caller i.d. Where were you?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDenny cut me off. I left early.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHe\u2019s never done that before, has he?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNah. But now he seems to think I have a problem.\u201d <\/span><\/span>He might be right, but not the problem he thinks I have.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHow noble. So, we pick a new place to drink next time.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYeah, sure, okay.\u201d Eddie pulled himself off the couch and wandered into the bathroom. \u201cYou bringing <\/span><\/span>Savannah?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201c<\/span><\/span>If she wants to come<\/span><\/span>. She\u2019s kinda pissed at me, <\/span><\/span>though, <\/span><\/span>so it might be just us.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie hoped it was. Jim had been his best friend since elementary school, and Eddie loved him like the brother he never had. But Jim had a habit of picking c<\/span><\/span>hicks Eddie couldn\u2019t stand for more than five minutes<\/span><\/span>. Savannah <\/span><\/span>took clingy and annoying to a whole new level<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDude. <\/span><\/span>Where\u2019d you go? <\/span><\/span>Your crap phone drop the call?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie chuckled. \u201cNah, you just got boring. Call me later this week.\u201d He ended the call<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>stared at<\/span><\/span> himself in the bathroom mirror.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cThe hell?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSomeone<\/span><\/span> else looked back at him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo. This isn\u2019t happening.\u201d Eddie wanted to <\/span><\/span>look away, deny it, but he couldn\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe was older than Eddie, but not by much. His hair was black, cut close, styled to <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>perfection even Eddie\u2019s barber couldn\u2019t muster. His eyes were dark, almost black, and he stared back at Eddie with curiosity and \u2026 something else. <\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200bIt looked like hunger.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo.\u201d Eddie told the mirror. \u201cNo. This is bull. I\u2019m making this up. That psychic did something. This is so not real!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man in the mirror gave him a nod, then pointed to his watch. Even through his confusion and terror, he noticed it was a Rolex. Nice.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat \u2026 what does that mean? Who are you?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man pointed at Eddie.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie backed away from the mirror. \u201cNo. No. She\u2019s done something to me. <\/span><\/span>She hypnotized me<\/span><\/span>!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man shook his head in a solemn \u201cno.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNobody asked you!\u201d Eddie barked. H<\/span><\/span>is laughter echoed in the tiny bathroom<\/span><\/span>. \u201cI\u2019m losing it. This is bullshit!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man tapped on the mirror.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie refused to turn around. \u201cNo. I am not hearing that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTap. Tap. Tap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie looked back. The man breathed across the mirror, casting a cloud of condensation. With his fingertip, he wrote backward, so Eddie could read it perfectly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI SEE YOU.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo!\u201d Eddie reached for the light switch. The bulbs over the mirror flickered and blazed, illuminating the hair he hadn\u2019t bothered to clean up when he shaved that morning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man in the mirror was gone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo no no no no\u2026\u201d Eddie staggered back to the kitchen. The bottle of rum on the counter beckoned to him, and he answered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bMonday morning showed up unannounced. <\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span>\u200b\u201cDammit.\u201d Eddie slapped at his alarm until it stopped beeping its way into his skull. Hungover, and he had to be at work in an hour. Dynamite.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe never drank on Sunday nights. It was his one valiant attempt at acting like an adult. He started out every week sober and ready to act like he gave a damn about his job. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bUntil today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stumbled to the shower, careful to avoid even glancing at the mirror over the sink. Part of him didn\u2019t believe what he\u2019d seen last night was real<\/span><\/span>. T<\/span><\/span>he other part of him <\/span><\/span>believed it, and <\/span><\/span>had <\/span><\/span>knocked down half a bottle of rum to try to forget. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIt didn\u2019t work. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBy the time he finished his shower, Eddie felt a little better, but he stared at the sink while he brushed his teeth. He didn\u2019t want to see that good-looking b<\/span><\/span>astard staring back at him. Eddie couldn\u2019t shake the memory of whoever he was \u2013 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWas?<\/span><\/span> Didn\u2019t he mean \u201cwill be?\u201d Eddie laughed as he did his best to brush his hair without looking in the mirror. <\/span><\/span>He dressed for casual Friday a week early; jeans, T-shirt, and the <\/span><\/span>pink <\/span><\/span>Crocs he wore just to irritate the bitch in the payroll department. It made him feel a little better.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBut he still avoided the mirror.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It had to be hypnosis or something. Maybe it would wear off. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThere was one thing <\/span><\/span>Eddie<\/span><\/span> knew for certain.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe would never go to a damn psychic again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200b\u201cEddie? Eddie!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie jumped, and quickly put down his cell phone. <\/span><\/span>He\u2019d been googling anything he could find on <\/span><\/span>reincarnation<\/span><\/span>, and other Romanian words just so he could say he knew more than <\/span><\/span>diavolul<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His boss hated it when the office grunts were on their phones during work hours.<\/span><\/span> And he hated Eddie more than anyone else in the company.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cReally, Eddie?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSorry. I was on hold and got distracted.\u201d Eddie was glad he used a headset; unless Chuck pulled the phone log, he\u2019d never know he hadn\u2019t made a single collection call in the last hour.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cInsurance?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie nodded. \u201cYessir. <\/span><\/span>You know how slow Aetna is.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSure, sure, don\u2019t pick up your phone while you\u2019re on the clock. You should be trying to verify their insurance online while you wait for them to pick up. Focus on denied charges; the more we appeal, the better our books look.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIt was a speech Eddie had heard a thousand times in the five years he\u2019d worked at MedCall, but he nodded enthusiastically and slipped his phone out of Chuck\u2019s sight. \u201cYou got it, boss.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSuck-ups don\u2019t impress me.\u201d Chuck snapped, and <\/span><\/span>bumbled<\/span><\/span> off to hassle another collector on his aisle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie glanced down at the scratch pad he used instead of a fidget spinner. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTHIS IS YOUR LIFE?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat in the hell?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The handwriting wasn\u2019t his.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my God oh my God\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bA tinny voice in his headset interrupted his mini-freakout. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cThank you for calling Aetna. Account number?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh! Sorry, let me get that number\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span> When did I dial the phone?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie tore the page off his scratch pad and threw it away. <\/span><\/span>Suddenly, he was doing everything he could to avoid seeing his reflection in the monitor of his computer. And for the first time in months, he made his call quota.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 3, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bMy handwriting <\/span><\/span>changes now<\/span><\/span>. It\u2019s weird. I <\/span><\/span>normally <\/span><\/span><\/a>write like a serial killer, but these messages I keep finding are tight, legible, and in all caps. I\u2019ve started throwing pages from my scratch pad in the shredder because I don\u2019t want anyone glancing into my trash and seeing shit like \u2013 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHOW CAN YOU LIVE LIKE THIS?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bDESTROY THE ONE WHO BERATES YOU. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYOU POOR BASTARD. DO YOU HAVE A WOMAN?<\/span><\/span>\u00df<\/span> That one pisses me off.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI\u2019m not making this up. This isn\u2019t a joke. I\u2019m <\/span><\/span>getting<\/span><\/span>scared.<\/span><\/span> What if he\u2019s real? What if that crazy psychic got it right? What if I come back as someone who\u2019ll kill millions?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCan I stop this? Stop him? <\/span><\/span>Or am I just losing my mind?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI still won\u2019t look in the mirror.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bTuesday came with another hangover. But he shaved, put on one of his better suits, and went to work, determined to stay off Chuck\u2019s radar.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe should have known better.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWell now, look at who we have here.\u201d Chuck said after Eddie clocked in. The human potato made sure to say it loud enough to catch the attention of two collectors on <\/span><\/span>his<\/span><\/span> row.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie sighed. Corey and Delayna both hated him for reasons he <\/span><\/span>couldn\u2019t figure out, and he honestly didn\u2019t care<\/span><\/span>. Plastic people got on his nerves, and those two <\/span><\/span>were a special level of fake.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSomeday, he\u2019d get up the nerve, trace their home phone numbers, and tell their respective<\/span><\/span> spouses<\/span><\/span> Corey and Delayna were sleeping together<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBut now they watched, and snickered, and no doubt planned their lunchtime <\/span><\/span>gossip session<\/span><\/span> to amuse the rest of the collect<\/span><\/span>ors<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> His whole team would know what happened. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat do you want, Chuck?\u201d Eddie stared at his boss. \u201cYou <\/span><\/span>usually don\u2019t bust my balls this early.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bChuck bristled. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie couldn\u2019t believe he\u2019d said it, but he <\/span><\/span>kept going<\/span><\/span>. \u201cYou should really try pleasuring yourself more often. You might be less of a jackass. Now say what you\u2019re going to say and waddle on, because I have a goal to hit.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCorey and Delayna stared at him with wide eyes; when Chuck glared at them both, they turned away and put on their headsets.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bChuck stared at Eddie in shock. \u201cI should write you up for that. But \u2026 just sit down and work, Eddie. And save the suit for someone who thinks you\u2019re special.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie smiled. \u201cDid you find release from such a weak insult? Have a fine day, Chuck.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bChuck backed away<\/span><\/span> from Eddie, and hunkered with Corey and Delayna to no doubt discuss new and unusual ways to fire him. Though it felt fantastic to finally call that miserable jackass out on<\/span><\/span> his verbal abuse, Eddie was still in shock over what he\u2019d said to his supervisor. That wasn\u2019t like him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie<\/span><\/span> never made waves. Ever.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie fired up his computer and pulled up his call list for the morning. Maybe he was just overly tired. Maybe he needed to stop drinking on work nights.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMaybe some crazed sociopath who wasn\u2019t even born yet was speaking through him. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI\u2019m going insane.\u201d Eddie muttered, and called GEICO on a motor vehicle accident claim.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bEddie soundly beat every collector on his team, bringing in over half a million dollars in the space of five days. Chuck, still smarting over being embarrassed, avoided complimenting him, but the Director emailed him with heartfelt congratulations, and even gave him an extra day of paid time off. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bGreat. I\u2019ll take it when I figure out <\/span><\/span>what the hell is happening to me<\/span><\/span>, Eddie thought, but thanked the Director, and used the bonus in his paycheck to buy a new suit. The suit, a better haircut, and his new assertive attitude carried him through to Friday and another planned night of drinking with his best friend Jim. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe didn\u2019t feel like debuting his new look to Denny at Sweeney\u2019s, <\/span><\/span>so he asked Jim to meet him at CrimeScene. It was one of the dumbest-themed clubs in the city, but it was crowded and loud. If he could get drunk enough to unlock his tongue, he\u2019d tell Jim about the psychic. About the man in the mirror. About suggesting Chuck should play with himself more often.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe chuckled. He\u2019d tell Jim about that<\/span><\/span> last part<\/span><\/span>, anyway.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie took a cab to CrimeScene and let the hostess frisk him as he stood inside a chalk outline of a body, then graciously tipped her a twenty he didn\u2019t know he had in his suit jacket to find a table in the back. The perky, vacant blonde showed him to his table, <\/span><\/span>and he jumped when she pinched his butt before she sashayed back to her station. He thought about asking for her number, but he thought he might wait until he and Jim left the club. It would impress his best friend to see Eddie flirt with a woman.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEd!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie saw Jim and waved him over. His smile faded when he saw Savannah tagging along with him. So much for talking out the Mirror Man with Jim. This mouthy bitch wouldn\u2019t let him get a word in edgewise. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bStill, he stood when she approached. \u201cHey, Savannah.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bShe stopped and stared at him. \u201cEddie? Is that you?\u201d She gave him that haughty sneer he hated almost as much as her laugh. \u201cYou never dress up like this. Who died?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie ignored her and fist-bumped Jim. \u201cBeers are on the way. What\u2019ll you have, Savannah?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cJust seltzer water. I\u2019m driving.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bDamn. He had hoped she would drink. She didn\u2019t talk as much when she drank.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bJim was sizing him up. \u201cSeriously, dude, you get a raise or something? That suit isn\u2019t cheap.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNah. Just got tired of dressing like a scrub. I\u2019ve had enough of Sucky Chucky the Potato Man<\/span><\/span>, dude. I think it\u2019s time to look for something else.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou know, you really shouldn\u2019t talk about your management like that.\u201d Savannah said. \u201cIf someone around here knows who he is and hears you, you could get fired or something. Then how would you buy your knockoff suits?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSavannah!\u201d Jim <\/span><\/span>barked. \u201cGive it a rest, would ya?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhy? He\u2019s a loser, Jimmy! We were supposed to go to dinner and talk about saving our relationship, but I have to watch your drink with him?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo, you pathetic shrew, you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSavannah bristled, and her face turned a very unattractive red<\/span><\/span>. \u201cWhat did you call me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie leaned forward. \u201cShrew. Vulture. Harridan. <\/span><\/span>Look up that word if you need to<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>I\u2019ll wait.<\/span><\/span>\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSavannah was apoplectic. \u201cJimmy? Are you going to let him speak to me that way?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYes. Yes, he is.\u201d Eddie said. He held up his hand when Jim tried to protest. \u201cHe is going to let me talk to you this way. But don\u2019t worry your bleached-blonde head off your little neck. He\u2019ll choose you over his best friend <\/span><\/span>even though he knows you\u2019ve screwed around on him multiple times since you\u2019ve been together. He\u2019ll choose you, put the ring on that bony finger, and I\u2019ll wander off into the sunset knowing that, while I miss my best friend, I never have to look at your mis-matched nipples showing through your too-sheer T-shirt.<\/span><\/span> You paid your doctor way too much for those fakies, Savannah.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> Eddie stood and threw a <\/span><\/span>fift<\/span><\/span>y down on the table. \u201cCall me later or don\u2019t, Jimbo. I\u2019m going to go find out what time the hostess gets off work.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 4, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bWhoever finds this, go by CrimeScene and tell Gina the hostess I\u2019m sorry. I really did like her. Fantastic body, fun to talk to, intelligent \u2013 everything I wanted in a girlfriend. But I couldn\u2019t keep in contact. Not knowing what I know. And after everything else that happened; I didn\u2019t want to risk her life, too. Tell her Eddie said he\u2019s sorry. That she deserved a better shot at a long life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI did all of this. I mean, it was my body, my hands, my fingerprints \u2013 I did it, but I didn\u2019t do it of my own free will. Please. Someone go look in the mirror and see if he\u2019s there, because I can\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200bThere was a voicemail waiting for Eddie when he came back upstairs after walking Gina to her taxi.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie, you jerk, I had to spend all night listening to Savvy <\/span><\/span>trash<\/span><\/span> you about being so mean. Dude, that\u2019s my girlfriend! Man, I don\u2019t want to lose you, but she\u2019s gonna lean on me until I tell you to go to\u2014\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie hit the delete button. J<\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>m was his best friend. He\u2019d put up with his long history of <\/span><\/span>dating <\/span><\/span>annoying women, but Savannah w<\/span><\/span>ent above and beyond<\/span><\/span>. She hated Eddie and he knew it, but if she made Jim happy, well, that was fine with him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBut he didn\u2019t have to hang around the <\/span><\/span>precious<\/span><\/span>couple anymore.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe showered, shaved, dressed in <\/span><\/span>his new <\/span><\/span>suit, tied his own tie instead of resorting to a clip on, pulled on his freshly-shined shoes, and left for work.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe landed a decent parking spot for once, paid the meter for the day, and headed for the elevator. He hated them, but he didn\u2019t have time to run the stairs. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe elevator doors slid shut. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo. Oh, come on, what the hell?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIt wasn\u2019t his reflection staring back at him. Eddie backed up, hitting the opposite wall of the elevator. He wondered, crazily, what building security would think <\/span><\/span>if they saw him lose his shit<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> forced himself to stand still.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe Mirror Man waved at him<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo way, dude. You\u2019re not real.\u201d Eddie hissed under his breath. \u201cGo away.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe Mirror Man shrugged, and shook his head \u201cno.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou got a name, asshole?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe Mirror Man threw his head back, and Eddie could tell he was laughing. <\/span><\/span>Eddie<\/span><\/span> was just about to flip him off when the doors slid open. Eddie quickly clocked in and hustled to his cubicle. <\/span><\/span>He hoped Chuck was already ass-deep in doughnuts and would leave him alone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe wasn\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWell, hello, Eddie. And congratulations.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie fought the urge to roll his eyes and focused on logging in to his system. \u201cCongratulations for what, Chuck?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNot only have you been dressing like an adult, but you haven\u2019t been late in over a week!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie put on his headset and pulled up his call list. \u201cYou done?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh, I haven\u2019t started yet, you freak.\u201d Chuck snarled. \u201cI\u2019m going to write you up for what you said to me. Cor<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>y and Delayna will sign as witnesses.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cAfter they finish beefing each other?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie spun his chair around to face Chuck. \u201cI\u2019m busy. Someone has to make calls since they\u2019re too busy trying to break the baby-changing table in the downstairs restroom. So<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> if you\u2019re through waggling your pecker around, please go away so I can work.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cUh, fine. But we\u2019re not done.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSure, okay.\u201d Eddie turned back to his call list with a smile stretching from ear to ear. It was the second time in <\/span><\/span>less than two weeks<\/span><\/span> he\u2019d made Chuck back away from him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHis email dinged. He pulled it up as he punched in his first <\/span><\/span>phone <\/span><\/span>number.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

Eddie,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d always suspected Corey was cheating on me. Thank you for the proof I needed. I\u2019m calling my lawyer now. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYou\u2019re a good guy, Eddie. Thank you for this.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u200bMelissa<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

\u201cOh my God.\u201d Eddie disconnected his call before it could ring. He opened the email attachment and stared in horror at <\/span><\/span>video<\/span><\/span> of Corey and Delayna going at it hard and heavy in the downstairs restroom. <\/span><\/span>There were even photos of Corey <\/span><\/span>taping<\/span><\/span> an \u201cout of order\u201d sign <\/span><\/span>on the restroom door <\/span><\/span>to ward off interlopers. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWho took the pictures? Had he done it? If he had, when? And how did he know Melissa\u2019s email address? He\u2019d only met her at the company Christmas party, and they\u2019d never spoken.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAt least, he thought they hadn\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie wanted to leave, clock out and go home, but he couldn\u2019t. <\/span><\/span>H<\/span><\/span>e called on his first claim, and tried to pretend he didn\u2019t feel good about what he didn\u2019t remember doing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe made goal again that day. And Chuck avoided him like the plague.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bThat night, Eddie crawled into his favorite sleep pants and well-worn U2 concert shirt and threw himself down on the couch, determined to avoid any social contact that didn\u2019t involve pizza delivery.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAnd any reflective surface. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNot tonight, creepy corporate <\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>irror <\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>an.\u201d he told the empty apartment, and laughed out loud. <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>Guess that\u2019s what I\u2019ll call you. Mirror Man. <\/span><\/span>Sure wish you were already born so I\u2019d know your damn name.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTap. Tap. Tap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie froze, a sloppy slice of pizza dripping <\/span><\/span>sauce <\/span><\/span>onto his shirt.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh, come on!\u201d He turned up the TV in response, trying to drown out the tapping. But he couldn\u2019t resist the curiosity. He had to know if his apartment had mice, or <\/span><\/span>if <\/span><\/span>some not-born-yet weirdo <\/span><\/span>was <\/span><\/span>trying to get his attention through the mirror.<\/span><\/span> Again<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie went to his refrigerator for another bottle of beer. \u201cI\u2019m going to need AA because of you, asshole!\u201d he called down the hall to his bathroom.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTap. Tap. Tap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI\u2019m coming!\u201d He flipped on the bathroom light.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDude. Really?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAnother message had been written in condensation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTWO DOWN, TWO TO GO. <\/span><\/span>YOU SHOULD THANK ME.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou did this? You sent those pics? How? What the hell is going on?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bNothing. No Mirror Man, no new message. Eddie laughed despite his fear. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cFine. Thanks. I hated them both. Melissa and Tommy? They\u2019re both nice people. They don\u2019t deserve this. Now, let me eat my pizza in peace.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe headed back to his couch and collapsed. He heard the tapping again, but this time he ignored it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bCorey\u2019s bellow of rage interrupted Eddie at the time clock the next morning<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cBastard! You ruined my marriage!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCorey lunged. Eddie didn\u2019t think. He sidestepped the attack and let Corey crash <\/span><\/span>face-first into the opposite wall<\/span><\/span>. Eddie clocked in quickly so he wouldn\u2019t be counted as late, and ducked when Corey flew at him again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cReally, Corey? You banging that hag Delayna didn\u2019t affect your marriage at all?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCorey lashed out, and Eddie leaned into the punch<\/span><\/span>, taking it across his jaw<\/span><\/span>. It hurt, but\u2014<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie <\/span><\/span>laughed at him<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCorey stopped. \u201cSeriously? You\u2019re laughing?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie nodded, and pointed at the security came<\/span><\/span>ra. \u201cSmile, jerk.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bCorey groaned. \u201cThis isn\u2019t over, you son of a bitch.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie laughed again. \u201cYes. it is. You assaulted me. I hope you have time to pack your desk before the cops get here.\u201d He turned his back on Corey and walked to his desk. Delayna glared at him with pure hatred, and Eddie blew her a kiss.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bEddie bought a six-pack of beer to celebrate Corey losing his job (and being arrested) and wondered how hard it would be for that jackhandle to post bail. <\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI\u2019ll get killed if he gets out of jail.\u201d Eddie told his empty apartment. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTap. Tap. Tap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh jeez, how are you getting louder?\u201d Eddie pulled himself off the couch and stumbled to the bathroom. \u201cWhat do you want now?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe was there. Well-dressed, perfectly-coiffed \u2013 the epitome of <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>well-dressed King Cobra.<\/span><\/span> Or the Antichrist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cGee, if I\u2019d known you were going to dress up, I would have shaved.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shook his head. More condensation, and a message:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bDESTROY THE ONES WHO BERATE YOU.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYeah, I know. You wrote that on my scratch pad at work. You had something to do with getting him arrested? No one knows who called the cops.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shook his head again and pointed at Eddie.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cLook \u2026 I don\u2019t know what\u2019s wrong with me, and I don\u2019t know why I\u2019m even talking to you. <\/span><\/span>I\u2019m not going to admit you\u2019re real. <\/span><\/span>But \u2026 can\u2019t that psychic be wrong? Do you really plan on killing millions?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe man in the mirror\u2019s expression darkened. He breathed across the mirror and wrote:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYES.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cJesus. Why? You have free will! Why would you do this?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man tapped his Rolex.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat? You got a time limit? You can only drive me psycho for ten minutes at a time?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSOONER THAN LATER.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bUnderstanding broke through Eddie\u2019s beer-haze. \u201cYou \u2026 want me to end it, so you can be born earlier?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bA nod. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie backed away from the mirror. \u201cNo. No way. I won\u2019t do it. I\u2019m not going to bring you here!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bNO CHOICE. EVERYONE DIES.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYeah, but not today. Go away, Mirror Man.\u201d He found his way back to the couch. \u201cI won\u2019t. I\u2019ll find a way to stop you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 5, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI got a raise at work. Chuck was pissed to announce it at the s<\/span><\/span>taff meeting, but it could have been worse. I could have accepted the promotion they offered me. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bJim still isn\u2019t talking to me, but Savannah is sending hateful texts from Jim\u2019s phone. I guess I\u2019m supposed to believe it\u2019s from him or something. Problem is, Jim can spell. She speaks in that weird Gen Z abbreviation-speak that makes no sense without a decoder ring. I won\u2019t answer them; I thought about playing with her, but there\u2019s no point. I still want my best friend to be happy.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHey, Mirror Man? If Savannah Giles-Bernard is still alive when you show up? Get her first.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bT<\/span><\/span>en<\/span><\/span> days flew past, with Chuck ignoring him, Delayna glaring at him and trying to sabotage his call list (she couldn\u2019t), and no contact whatsoever from the Mirror Man.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie <\/span><\/span>felt better than he had in weeks. No alcohol, no hangover<\/span><\/span>; he even went to the gym to run on the treadmill for the first t<\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>me in the four years he\u2019d been paying for a membership. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMaybe it was over. Maybe he\u2019d been right about the whole hypnosis thing, and it finally wore off.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cJust say no to psychics.\u201d he muttered as he shaped his goa<\/span><\/span>tee. He thought about reaching out to Jim and decided against it. Tonight, he\u2019d go back to Sweeney\u2019s, limit himself to iced tea, and prove to that douchebag Denny that he didn\u2019t have a problem.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAt least, not anymore.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe got the reaction he wanted when Denny saw him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201c<\/span><\/span>Wow! <\/span><\/span>Eddie! Is that you?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHey Denny. Burger medium, hold the onions.\u201d He ambled toward one of the tables. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHey, whoa, what is this? You\u2019re not sitting at the bar?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI think I\u2019ll try a different view of the place, Denny.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYour usual to drink?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cIced tea. Sweet.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bDenny smiled. \u201cMy pleasure, Eddie.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI did it<\/span><\/span>, Eddie thought. <\/span><\/span>Maybe now I can live longer, keep him away longer<\/span><\/span>. Figure out what the hell to do. There\u2019s got to be a way to stop this.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWhen he got home that night, still stone cold sober, he went straight to bed. A good night\u2019s sleep felt like the best way to celebrate \u201cthe new Eddie.\u201d He thought he\u2019d go for a run in the morning. A real one. Outside. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe\u2019d been asleep four hours when his cell-phone rang. Bleary, he grabbed for it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHuh? Hullo?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cJim?\u201d Eddie sat up. \u201cDude, it\u2019s 2:00 a.m. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cShe\u2019s dead, Eddie\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cShe? Who?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSavvy. Savvy\u2019s dead. Somebody killed her\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie grabbed for his jeans. \u201cI\u2019m coming, dude, where are you?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWe\u2019re outside Sweeney\u2019s. I was clearing our tab and she went to the car. I came out and she was \u2026 oh God, Eddie\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHold on, buddy, I\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bEddie brought Jim back to his apartment after they\u2019d spent all night at the police station. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cThey always look at the boyfriend.\u201d Jim stammered when Eddie handed him one of his last beers. \u201cBut I couldn\u2019t. She was a pain in the ass, but \u2026 you know I didn\u2019t do it, right, Eddie?<\/span><\/span> Denny, other witnesses inside and outside, they knew it wasn\u2019t me.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDude, there\u2019s no way you would have done that. I know it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWho would do that? I saw it, man. There was so much blood \u2026 her throat\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie sat down next to his best friend. \u201cJim, listen to me. You did not do this. They\u2019ll catch the bastard who did.\u201d He indicated the beer Jim held. \u201cKnock that back and I\u2019ll bring you another one.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bJim eyed him with concern. \u201cEddie? It\u2019s Friday. You\u2019re sober.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie nodded. \u201cYeah. Trying something new. So those last four in the fridge are yours.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe talked to Jim until he stretched out on the couch and fell asleep. Without thinking, Eddie ambled to the bathroom to brush his teeth before trying to get some sleep himself.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man was there.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie groaned softly, careful not to wake Jim. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shrugged.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cIt\u2019s been days. What have you been up to?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man breathed across the glass. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYOU SHOULD THANK ME.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cFor what?\u201d Eddie hissed. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTHE BITCH IS DEAD.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie had to grab the sink to keep from falling. \u201cYou \u2026 you did this? How? You\u2019re not even born yet?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man pointed at him. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo. No. I came home, went to bed. I\u2019m sober. I didn\u2019t <\/span><\/span>black out<\/span><\/span>. I didn\u2019t do this. For God\u2019s sake, go away. You\u2019re not real!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shook his head sadly. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI\u2019M ALMOST DONE<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo. No more, dammit. No more\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe tapped his Rolex again. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI\u2019M WAITING.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie turned off the bathroom light and stumbled to bed, thankful Jim didn\u2019t hear any of the exchange. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWho is it?<\/span><\/span> Who\u2019s next?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie wanted to sleep. He didn\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bEddie stayed close to Jim the entire weekend. Savannah\u2019s family had flown in to claim her body; they were taking her back to Kansas to bury. Jim wanted to fly with them for the service, but her family said no, blaming him for \u201ckeeping her in such an awful place like Dallas.\u201d <\/span><\/span>Her mother had screamed and beat her fists against Jim\u2019s chest, telling him he was the reason she had been murdered<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Jim tried to reason with them, but it was no use. Eddie kept him talking, grieving, and quite drunk the rest of the weekend. Eddie stuck to water.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe drove Jim back to his apartment Sunday evening.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDude, you sure you need to be alone?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bJim nodded. \u201cYeah. I need to get her stuff together and <\/span><\/span>get it out of there. I know her family won\u2019t want it, maybe I can take her clothes to a shelter or something.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie knew that self-righteous bitch would hate helping others, so he smiled and agreed. \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, man. You need some help?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNah. I\u2019ll do this on my own. Thanks for everything, dude. See you Friday?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie watched Jim until he closed his apartment door before driving away. <\/span><\/span>He knew he shouldn\u2019t glance in his rearview mirror, but he did. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI should\u2019ve known.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man waved happily.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDammit. If I look back and you\u2019re sitting there, I\u2019m wrecking this car.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man smiled. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cDon\u2019t bother breathing on my mirror, dude. It\u2019s too dark for me to read it.\u201d Eddie slammed his fist on his steering wheel. \u201cWhy her? I mean, she<\/span><\/span> was<\/span><\/span> a bitch, but Jim loved her\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bT<\/span><\/span>ap. Tap. Tap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cExplain it later. I\u2019m driving.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bNo answer. <\/span><\/span>When Eddie looked again<\/span><\/span>, Mirror Man was gone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI can\u2019t keep this up.\u201d Eddie turned up the radio to drown out his thoughts. \u201cI just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200b\u201cSign this.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie looked down at the piece of paper Chuck had slammed on his desk. \u201cAnd what is this?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI told you I\u2019d write you up for what you said to me. In addition, you sent a personal email to Corey\u2019s wife, and instigated the assault that forced the company to fire my best collector.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cSeriously? <\/span><\/span>He<\/span><\/span> was your best collector?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cJust sign it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cGet HR up here and I will.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bChuck <\/span><\/span>puffed up like an angry blowfish<\/span><\/span>. \u201cThere\u2019s no need for that. I\u2019m your manager.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stood up. He kept his voice low and measured, and made sure everyone on Collector\u2019s Row heard him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cAs a manager, you should know that no personnel matters will be addressed unless we are in the Human Resources office, or a member of Human Resources joins us here.\u201d He folded his arms and stared at Chuck. \u201cSo<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>either you and I can take a walk to HR, or they can come here. You\u2019re the manager, so you choose.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou\u2019re fired.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cAm I?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bChuck turned on his heel and walked away. Eddie sat down and pulled up his call list. While he spoke to Blue Cross Blue Shield about a surgery claim, he typed an email outlining Chuck\u2019s constant harassment and sent it to <\/span><\/span>Human Resources.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

May 6, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bI found the bloody clothes in the dumpster behind my apartment. I should have pulled them out, burned them, but I didn\u2019t. Old sweats and one of my old Ratt concert shirts. I put those on before I went to bed that night, before Jim called me to say Savvy was dead. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI went to bed early. I don\u2019t remember getting back up, driving across town \u2026 and I don\u2019t remember taking a knife to Savannah. But those clothes, all the blood \u2013 it had to have been me. Been him. Been him working through me. Something. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSomebody<\/span><\/span>, please<\/span><\/span> save me. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bChuck was in HR the next morning when Eddie clocked in. Eddie pulled up his call list and logged into his email. Bill, the head of Human Resources, had sent him a note to thank him for reporting Chuck\u2019s harassment, and to let him know it would be addressed with disciplinary action. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201c<\/span><\/span>It\u2019s about time.\u201d Eddie muttered. His morning got even better when he found out Delayna had put in her two-week notice. She <\/span><\/span>flipped him off<\/span><\/span> every time she walked to the break room; he just kept calling on claims and raking in the payments. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWhen Chuck returned from his meeting with HR, he ignored Eddie completely. Eddie guessed he must have gotten a warning, which wasn\u2019t near enough punishment, but it was a start. <\/span><\/span>Corey was in jail, Delayna was quitting, Savannah was dead, if Chuck would just \u2013 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh, shit.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAlmost done<\/span><\/span>. The Mirror Man <\/span><\/span>said he was almost done<\/span><\/span>. Was it Chuck?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bAnd, as much as he hated himself for admitting it, would he care if it was?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bThe next morning, <\/span><\/span>Bill from HR called Eddie to his office. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHave a seat, Eddie. I have something I need to talk over.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie sat down, uneasy. \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Bill?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBill sat down across from him. \u201c<\/span><\/span>I\u2019ll just get right to it. <\/span><\/span>We want to offer you a management position.\u201d He held up a hand before Eddie could protest. \u201cI know you turned down the last one, but this is over your current department. I know you are more than qualified to run the business office.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie\u2019s stomach knotted. \u201cSir? I don\u2019t follow. Where is Chuck?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBill paled. \u201cOh. Oh Eddie, I thought you\u2019d heard. Chuck was killed last night.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh my God.\u201d Eddie ran his hand through his hair. \u201cWhat, I mean, how \u2026 what happened?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBill shook his head sadly. \u201cHe was walking home from the convenience store about a block from his house. He was hit by a drunk driver.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cOh man\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYeah. This is where it gets weird. Some people say he stumbled off the curb and was hit. Some say he was pushed, but they didn\u2019t see who did it. Eddie, you okay?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie couldn\u2019t breathe. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. It just came as such a shock.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bBill nodded. \u201cI know. It\u2019s been a blow to all of us. I know Chuck was a bastard, but he did have a family. I\u2019ve asked for Employee Assistance to meet with your team to help process any grief and to assist with the transition to you as their new manager. That is \u2026 if you\u2019ll take the position?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie said yes. He didn\u2019t know what else to do. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

May 7, 2021<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bThis is it. It\u2019s over. I have to run. If I run, start over somewhere, he won\u2019t be able to destroy the people around me. I\u2019ll still die, but maybe no one else around me will. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s real, he\u2019s coming, and you\u2019re all screwed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI won\u2019t be. I\u2019ll be dead.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bI\u2019m sorry.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\u200bThat night, Eddie went to the bathroom mirror and called for <\/span><\/span>the Mirror Man<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cCome on, you son of a bitch! Show yourself!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bThe Mirror Man appeared moments later. He shrugged, asking \u201cwhat do you want\u201d without saying a word.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cYou killed Chuck.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shook his head and pointed at Eddie.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cCut the crap, asshole. You know you did it. I hated him, but that was no reason to kill him!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bWords in condensation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYOU WANTED HIM GONE. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

JUST LIKE THE WOMAN. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

WHY DO YOU FIGHT WHAT YOU REALLY ARE?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cI am not a monster! You are!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bSTOP DENYING IT.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cWho else? Who else is on your list?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man shook his head.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bLAST ONE<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie pushed back the urge to rip down the mirror and throw it out the window. \u201c<\/span><\/span>Dammit! Who? Who is it?<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMirror Man smiled and tapped his Rolex.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bYOU.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cNo. I\u2019m not going to end it. I already told you!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bIT\u2019S DEATH OR THEM.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cThem? Who?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bA knock on his apartment door. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cPolice! Eddie Martin, open the door!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie turned back to the mirror. \u201cYou bastard<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bTEXAS = DEATH PENALTY.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bMore knocking.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie Martin! Open up now! We have a warrant!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stepped back. \u201cNo. I won\u2019t go out like that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bHe had owned a gun for years. He\u2019d only shot it once. He grabbed it from the safe in his closet<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cEddie Martin! We won\u2019t ask you again!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie stuck the gun under his chin.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck, assholes.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bEddie fired. Down the hall, the mirror shattered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u200bThe worst thunderstorm to rip through Dallas drowned out her cries of pain. <\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/p>\n

But he was here now. <\/span><\/span>The labor had been hard, but it was worth every second of agony. She cuddled her son against her chest and smiled through her tears. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u200b\u201cHe\u2019s so beautiful.\u201d She traced a fingertip along his porcelain cheek. \u201cHe\u2019s going to do great things in life. I just know it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mirror Man \u00a9 2020 by Leigh Grissom May 1, 2021 \u200bI think I\u2019m losing my mind. \u200bI must be. Diaries are stupid and I don\u2019t have time for this. I\u2019d love to talk it out with someone, but they\u2019ll just eyeball me like I\u2019m a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[82,83,65],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7972"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7972"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7972\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7974,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7972\/revisions\/7974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7972"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7972"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/leighgrissom.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7972"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}