Cheri Cheri Lady 'link' -

The song played on. “Cheri, cheri lady, going through a motion…”

She sat alone in the corner booth, a slash of crimson dress against the peeling vinyl. Her name, he’d later learn, was Elara. But tonight, she was just a silhouette tracing the rim of her glass with a fingernail painted the color of a bruised plum. cheri cheri lady

“I’m Leo,” he said against her hair. The song played on

He squeezed her hand. “You’re not a stranger anymore.” But tonight, she was just a silhouette tracing

When the song faded into a crackling static before the next track, they didn’t let go.

The “Cheri Cheri Lady” wasn't a ghost anymore. It was just the prologue.

“I know,” she replied, pulling back just enough to look at him. “You fixed my carburetor last Tuesday. You didn’t overcharge me.”