“This is the first time I’ve ever put myself in the morgue, I guess there really is a first time for everything.”

 

Melinda finished pulling off her jeans and stuffed them in a plastic bag. Now dressed in only her panties, she pulled open the drawer next to the one she had woken up in not long ago and climbed in. Placing her clothes carefully hidden between her legs, she laid down and pulled the sheet over her head.

 

“This is still cold,” she complained to herself as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself and aid in remaining still, “I hope they get down here soon.”

 

As if on cue, the door creaked open and she heard a male voice complaining, “I’m telling you, she’s just gone and I swear on my grave she walked out herself.”

 

“Must resist urge to sit up and ask for brains or fresh blood,” Melinda thought to herself as she fought to remain still and not start laughing.

 

“I’m pretty sure people don’t just come back from the dead,” Miles replied.

 

“He’s correct,” Kai added, “and don’t you think she would of found us if there was a mistake?”

 

“In the 10 years I’ve done this job, we’ve never buried anyone alive, either,” Daniel added, “false-positives like that just don’t happen in modern medicine unless drugs that slow down someone’s life-signs are involved.”

 

“I’m just telling you what I saw,” the man nearly shouted.

 

Footsteps approached Melinda and Daniel spoke up from next to her drawer, “Who's this, a new arrival?”

 

“I don’t know, I’m not sure they were even here this morning and I haven’t heard of any in-hospital deaths or DoAs,”

 

“I wonder?” Daniel asked.

 

Melinda felt the sheet being gently being pulled to uncover her face and willed herself even harder to not so much as flinch.

 

The man she now assumed was a doctor gasped, “I swear, she was gone and that’s noy even the same drawer I put her in.”

 

“It appears you might have just misplaced her, is it possible you might have put her in this drawer and thought you placed her in another?” Kai asked.

 

“No, I don’t make stupid mistakes like that,” The doctor huffed.

 

“It would be a simple one to make late at night and here she is,” Kai said.

 

“Yeah, I mean: this is definitely her, isn’t Miles?” Daniel asked

 

“Yeah, this is my mom,” Miles said calmly.

 

“So if you would find us a gurney to move her I’ll take it from here,” Daniel said.

 

“I know you people are up to something, and I WILL figure it out.

 

Angry footsteps echoed across the room and the door slammed shut.

 

Melinda finally let out a chuckle as sighs of relief filled the room. There was still the matter of getting her out out of the building but they were home free as far as she was concerned.

 

“You doin’ okay, mom?” Miles asked.

 

“This drawer is cold, but I’m fine,” Melinda sat up a little and held the sheet over her chest, “I’m glad I kept my panties on or I’d have an even colder butt than I already do.

 

“Melessa, did this plan require taking your clothes off?” Kai asked, rubbing his eyes.

 

“Yeah, Mom,” Miles added

 

“I was naked when I woke up, remember? Who’s going to come down here and put clothes on one of the bodies?” Melinda asked, “Also, I’m wearing panties so I’m not technically naked.”

 

“Well, I guess she has a point,” Daniel said, “It’s still awkward, but she has a point.”

 

“I’m wearing a sheet,” Melinda interjected, “I’m covered,”

 

“Yes, and I’m sure Miles is just as thankful for that as myself,” Kai said

 

“Yes,” Miles agreed

 

“You know, you guys are always talking about me doing things to embarrass the both of you but I’m the one that changed both your diapers and-”

 

Melinda was cut off by the sound of footsteps and squeaky wheels outside, “hold that thought,” she quickly laid back down, her head hitting the metal drawer with a painful thump and closed her eyes.

 

“Shit, that kind of hurt” she whispered as the door creaked open.

 

“Here, now just do what you have to do and get this body out of my hair before she get’s up and walks out again,” the doctor stormed back out of the room and slammed the door.

 

Melinda quickly sat back up and rubbed her head with one free hand and cringed, “that was stupid.”

 

“Melissa?” Kai asked

 

“What?” she continued to rub her head

 

“May I request you at least but your shirt back on before we wheel you out?” Kai asked.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Oh, man, I would’ve killed to see the look on that Doctor’s face,” Melinda struggled to pull on her jeans in the back of the hearse.

 

“Yeah, I think he was pretty mad,” Miles laughed from the front seat.

 

“You sound like you’re in a good mood,” Melinda finally managed to get them on and zipped them up.

 

“Yeah, it was a little weird back there, but looking back that was all pretty funny,” Miles said.

 

“I guess I can at least say that immortal life will never get boring with you by my side,” Kai added.

 

“I have to find some way to entertain myself after nearly 12 centuries, don’t I?” Melinda laid back down and signed a breath of relief, “it’s a little cramped back here.”

 

“Sorry, but my passengers usually don’t need much elbow room,” Daniel said

 

“I guess you make a good point, still cramped though,” Melinda attempted to stretch her arms.

 

The three rode in silence for several moments, Melinda relaxing as best she could and savoring in her small victory, as well as the possible fun the doctor’s snooping around could lead to before MIles finally spoke up again.

 

“Hey mom?” he said.

 

“Yeah, kiddo?”

 

“I know it’s weird to say, but as nervous as I am I’ve still had today just spending all this time with you and doing all this crazy stuff,” Miles said.

 

“Maybe I should die in public more often,” Melinda chuckled, “I’m enjoying spending time with you just as much.”

 

“Thanks, Mom,” Miles laughed, “but maybe that’s going a bit far.”

 

“You’re welcome, honey.”

 

Before the conversation could continue the sound of music filled the hearse, “Who wants to live forever?” a voice asked as the music crescendoed.

 

“Hold on, that’s my phone,” Melinda dug her phone out of the plastic bag where she had left some of her things and looked at a picture of Amy on the screen.

 

“Hey, Amy. What’s up?” she spoke into the phone after swiping her finger across the screen and raising it to her ear.

 

“Why did I just see Kai and Tails in the front seat of a hearse?” Amy asked

 

“because I’m in the back in of it,” Melinda answered.

 

“WHAT!?” Amy exclaimed

 

“Yeah, I had to go help collect myself from the morgue,” Melinda said, “Well, Miles and Kai did anyway, I just sort of laid there.”

 

“Did something happen!?” Amy asked, a bit quieter this time

 

“Nah, just getting ready for the funeral,” Melinda flinched as the hearse hit a speed bump, “CRAP!”

 

“Funeral?” Amy asked

 

“Yeah, my funeral, and you’re invited by the way,” Melinda rubbed her head

 

“Oh, OH. I forgot you were dead since people usually don’t recover from that,” Amy laughed

 

“You’ll get used to if you hang around me and Kai long enough, well, hopefully not the funeral part because dying in public is a bad habit,” Melinda thought for a moment, “not to mention a little bit rude.”

 

“Hey, is that Amy?” Miles asked, “Tell her I said hi.”

 

“MIles says hi,” Melinda spoke into the phone

 

“Tell him I said hello,” Amy said.

 

“Amy also says hi,” Melinda said

 

“So, are you guys doing okay?” Amy asked

 

“We had a rough night like you’d expect, but we’re doing fine,” Melinda said

 

“Good to hear, Cream is also fine so far save for a nightmare. I think it might help if you spent some time with her,” Amy said.

 

“I had an idea about that, I thought maybe she could sleep over the day before the funeral so I can explain to her and we can all get ready together, whenever that is,” Melinda said

 

“Uh, is the day after tomorrow okay? There’s not much I have to do but submit the stuff to the paper and set up,” Daniel interjected.

 

“I guess we’re doing it the day after tomorrow, so she can come over tomorrow morning if it’s okay with Miles,” Melinda said.

 

“I’m cool with it,” Miles interjected

 

“Okay, then I guess I’ll call Val,” Melinda said.

 

“Great, I’m sure she’ll love it,” Amy went silent for a moment, “You want me to invite Sonic to the thing or do you people want to?”
“Allow me, I want to see the look on his face when I invite him to my own funeral,” Melinda said with a sly grin.