The Ghost and the Piano
Fiction
October 7, 2022
By the time they left Keys Piano Bar at 1:20 am, the temperature had dropped to near freezing. Del pulled up his jacket collar before taking Amahle’s gloved hand.
“Wasn’t that an amazing night, Am?”
The white steam from his breath hung in the still air.
“I enjoyed it very much,” Amahle said. “You are so good. People love you. There’s almost five hundred dollars in tips here.”
She tapped her purse where she placed the envelope containing the tip money.
They walked to the curb and flagged a cab.
As the cab pulled in front of their house, Amahle laid her hand on Del’s knee and kissed him three times on the cheek. He knew this was an invitation and quickly paid the cab driver while his wife smiled at him.
“Keep the change, and thank you,” he said as he got out and made his way around the cab.
He opened the door and took his wife’s hand to help her out. The cab sped away, and the couple turned to walk to their door.
Without warning, Del felt a sharp pain in the back of his head and fell to the ground. The last thing he heard was his wife’s scream and the gunshot.
