My dad is the Grim Reaper

Upon reflection, having only served in this position for a scant eight days, fortune has smiled upon me: in that brief span, I won the lottery—netting approximately $160,000 after taxes—and on that very day, plus the jewelry Alice gave me that day, I got another 50,000 dollars. In combination, these two windfalls have garnered me over $200,000 in just a few days—a sum that far exceeds the earnings of my usual work as a wedding planner. At this rate, might my career in wedding planning soon be relegated to a mere sideline?

That evening, I arranged a dinner with the families of Mark and White. After a leisurely luncheon, I drove to the Smith Haven Shopping Center, an area replete with boutiques, intent on selecting exquisite gifts for the children of Mark and White. With a modest fortune freshly earned, I felt compelled to indulge—a sentiment that brought me great satisfaction.

After an afternoon of perusal, I procured a remote - controlled airplane for Mark's son and acquired a plush teddy bear, over a meter in height, for White's daughter. I wager that these tokens will elate the children beyond measure tonight!

Having stowed my purchases in the car and noting that it was nearly six o'clock, I made my way directly to Jackie Restaurant, situated near Mark's home. Upon entering, I announced Mark's name to the hostess, who promptly escorted me to the reserved table. There, White was already awaiting my arrival.

"Sam, you're here! Come, have a seat—I shall join you immediately after work, as the others have yet to arrive!"

"And where are Mary and Beth?"

"Beth remains at home; Mary will bring her along shortly."

I opened WhatsApp and selected Mark's profile picture, typing, "Mark, White and I have arrived—right by your residence. Should you delay further, the arrangement might fall apart!"

Seating myself beside White, I remarked, "Do you still frequent this establishment? Ever since I relocated, it has been three or four years since I last dined here."

"In our neighborhood, this is the sole venue of any repute; there is little else to choose from!"

"That may be so, yet this restaurant has stood for many years—perhaps two decades, if memory serves."

At that moment, Mark entered with his wife and son.

"Bob, meet Uncle Sam!" Mark declared, gently supporting his son as he gestured towards me.

"Hello, Uncle Sam!" Bob greeted warmly.

"Hello, Bob. Mark, I must say, Bob has put on quite a few pounds recently! With each gain, he increasingly resembles you—albeit a paler version of your younger self!"

Amid our banter, I swiftly rose to guide Mark's wife, Dotty, to her seat. Though jests flowed freely among the three of us, I have always held Beth and Dotty in high esteem, for they have consistently looked after me ever since they learned of my single status and frequently invited me to share their meals.

"Sam, how have you been? I am deeply sorry about your dad."

"Rest assured, I am well." I turned to Mark's son, Bob, and inquired, "Bob, come here—can you operate the trunk of Uncle's car?"

Bob nodded eagerly, "Yes, I can!"

"I knew you were the most capable, Bob. Now, take Uncle's car key, proceed to the door and into the parking lot, and retrieve the two gifts from the trunk—one for you and one for little Beth."

Before I could finish, Bob seized the key and sprinted off.

"Remember to lock Uncle's car afterward!" Mark called out hastily from the doorway.

Before long, Bob returned cradling the items. "Uncle, here is your key."

"Well done, Bob. The airplane is yours, and the bear is for Beth."

The plump little fellow casually tossed the teddy bear onto the sofa while clutching his airplane with both hands. "I know, but no boy would ever play with dolls!"

"Bob, you must thank your Uncle," his mom admonished as she rose.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

We conversed a few more minutes until White's wife, Mary, arrived with their daughter, Beth. The instant Beth stepped through the door, Bob rushed over, exclaiming, "Beth, behold the airplane Uncle Sam procured for me—isn't it marvelous? And here is your gift as well!"

Each child, embracing his or her gift, radiated unbridled joy.

Mary tugged at my arm, chiding, "Why on earth did you purchase such an enormous bear for her? It must have been exceedingly expensive! You are spoiling the children!"

Before I could reply, White stood and proclaimed, "Sam, you struck the lottery yesterday—$160,000! What are such trifling sums compared to that, isn't it so?"

After a bit more playful chatter, Mark, seated nearby and tasked with ordering, announced, "As per our usual custom, I have ordered for everyone. Speak now of your preferences, lest I order for all!"

I truly savored this convivial atmosphere. In the days when my dad was alive, our meals were intimate affairs for just the two of us, punctuated by the occasional drink, as he was a man of few words. Even now, after meeting with clients or following a wedding, I often receive invitations to elaborate banquets organized by newlyweds. Yet, I have always endeavored to decline such gatherings, for I find them rather stifling; I prefer the warm camaraderie of this circle.

By a little past nine, with the children needing to be in bed for school the next day, Mary and Dotty took them home, leaving only the three of us to engage in a spirited conversation covering all manner of topics. Eventually, Mark arranged for a designated driver to return me home.

Upon my arrival, just as I was preparing to rest, I heard a knock at the door. Glancing out, I saw Williams. "Come in—no need to wait at the door; I was just seeking you!" he announced.

"You have been running about these past days, and you have imparted much wisdom to me. I insist on giving you a small tip, haha."

Williams, taken aback, replied, "Sir, what are you doing? I have exerted little effort, merely assisting a friend. Moreover, serving you is something I do willingly."

"Enough of the formalities. Since today marks our third encounter, simply call me Sam!"

"Yes, Sam!"

"Now then, let us attend to business. You are here today to arrange something for me, are you not?"

"Sam, I have come to introduce you to a few friends."

"Friends, you say?"

With a clap of his hands, two phantasmal figures emerged from behind a wall. One, towering over Williams by more than a head—easily around 1.8 meters tall; the other, shorter at barely 1.6 meters yet exceedingly rotund. Though I consider myself somewhat stout, in comparison, I felt remarkably balanced.

"Sam, these two—the tall one is named James, and the portly one is called John. They are among my dearest friends. I have recounted to them your recent exploits, and they earnestly implored me to bring them here, so that they might serve you."

Surveying the trio—one slender and tall, one short and stout, with Williams in his century - old attire—the scene was most surreal.

I nodded and said, "Effectiveness matters little; since they have come with Williams, henceforth consider them friends, and like Williams, address me as Sam."

They bowed in unison, "Yes, boss!"

At that moment, I could not help but feel reminiscent of a cinematic mob boss.

Williams proceeded to introduce them: "James is a Mexican who, in the 1970s, clandestinely immigrated to America and labored on construction sites without legal clearance. Tragically, he met his end after a fall from a building; fearful of liability, the site manager hastily concealed the incident by burying him in obscurity. John, conversely, succumbed to an overdose of sleeping pills around 1983 over matters of the heart. With no kin or friends to claim him, his decaying remains were discovered months later, and his unclaimed body was ultimately cremated."

When asked why they did not venture to the netherworld, one remarked that mingling with ghosts among the living was far more liberating, while the other expressed a desire to remain a free spirit.

Indeed, each soul harbors its own peculiar notions—these two are, without a doubt, rather eccentric.

I inquired of Williams, "Should I need to summon them in the future, what is the proper procedure?"

He replied, "Simply inscribe the name of any one of them on a piece of paper using your ring; then, by burning the paper, they shall appear."

At that moment, I recalled an important matter and imposed one solitary condition: henceforth, whenever they arrive, they must first knock—no one is to enter by phasing through walls unannounced. I fear the day when they might appear at any given moment, for I could scarcely bear it.