Day Thirteen - Ship

Somehow Teddy and I have found ourselves in a silly little routine of saying goodbye to each other in the mornings.

After having breakfast together, along with Calvin (who now prefers to listen to Teddy talk about recent news about space over reading), I walk Teddy to the front door. It’s a short walk, but we like the extra time together.

“Anything I can get for dinner later?” he asks, hovering at the door.

I rock back and forth on my feet, “I think we have everything we need for the stew tonight.”

“Okay then,” he says and opens the door, taking a step out onto the porch. “I’ll see you later then.”

“See you later,” I say, and reach to grab the door behind him to close it.

Teddy turns around quickly as the door is half shut. “You sure I can’t bring back a dessert?”

“We’ve still got lots,” I say.

Teddy nods and takes a few steps away from the door. “Okay then, I’m going!”

I say goodbye and shut the door, and start to head back to my desk. But before I get there, the door opens again and Teddy sticks his head in. A goofy smile is spread across his face.

“Get going!” I say and motion like I’m shooing him out the door.

He closes the door again.

And just as I think the door is about to close for the last time, Teddy sticks his head back in.

“Bye,” he quickly says one last time before slipping out the door.

I can’t stop myself from smiling.

Mrs Thompson appears in front of the staircase and looks at the front door and then back to me.

“I ship you and Teddy,” she says with a smirk on her face.

“You ship us? Like a parcel?” I say with a puzzled expression.

“Yes, I ship you.” She says with the smirk not leaving her face.

I have no idea what she means.

Mary suddenly appears and looks displeased, a frown on her face.

“She means she wants you two to be in a romantic relationship together. It’s an online web term.” Mary says.  “It feels weird to have an older person throwing it out there like that.”

“Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I can’t be hip! And yes, Mary understands the term exactly.” Mrs Thompson says with a nod like I should have understood this the whole time.

With all the interference with ghosts and technology, I rarely spend time on my phone or online. Most of the time I keep it locked away in my room.

“And how do you know of this term?” I ask Mrs Thompson.

“I’ve heard the kids around town use it.” She says, “Especially when they’re talking about their little crushes on each other. I think you have a crush on Teddy.”

I feel heat rising to my cheeks, “Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah, I haven’t been around you two very much but it’s so obvious.” Mary says.

Mrs Thompson and Mary aren’t wrong, I can’t deny that my affection for Teddy is a bit more than just our friendship. I deeply appreciate his company whenever he’s around.

“I ship it too.” Mary says with smile on her face.

My face is burning now.

“Oh, don’t be embarrassed, dear,” Mrs Thompson says and attempts to pat my shoulder but her hand just falls through my body. “It’d be nice if he stuck around to keep you company.”

I shake my head. Teddy is set to checkout at the end of the month once his project is done. And who would want to stay around a haunted house?

Mary nudges Mrs Thompson, “Let’s not tease her too much. We do want our ship to sail, don’t we?”

Her and Mrs Thompson giggle together in unison.

Though I’m still a bit lost about this concept of shipping people, I’ll have to search the term later tonight. But for now, I guess I can say that I hope the ship of Teddy and I sails at some point too.