Excerpt: The Esoteric Excursion

Troy sat up front with Matt while the Selberts occupied the middle seats. Matt was driving and happily talking with the SUVs occupants. “So, Richie didn’t explain too much about Shane?”
Mary leaned forward and laughed at Matt and said, “No, not really, just that he was a deputy that died in the line of duty helping deal with the Clive Blake Zombie fiasco. He said Shane was a complete jerk and deserved what he got.” Alarmed, Mary whipped her head around to where she believed Shane was seating. “Can he hear us,” she asked a little frightened.
“So, can you see him?” Mary asked with a shudder.
“Yes,” Matt said, and as he did, his breath steamed like he was outside on a cold day in January. Matt hurriedly checked the air conditioner and turned it off.
“Sorry folks,” Matt said as he drove. “Sometimes the air conditioners in these Range Rovers are so good that they’ll throw snowballs at you.” Matt turned a little to address Mrs. Selbert, who was shivering a little from the cold. “Yes, I see, hear, and talk to Shane all the time.”
“So, why is it you can,” Troy said snarkily, “and no one else can?”
“Never said no one else could,” Matt replied. “I believe that some of the people in this group will be able to after they’ve been around him a while, but I…” and Matt looked at the SUVs air conditioner with consternation as everyone began shivering as their windows began fogging up and the rearmost window began icing up on the inside.
“Shane, are you doing this,” Matt demanded toward the back seat. Mary, John, and Troy looked with alarm at the space Matt was addressing. They all heard a buzzing noise and Matt then translated. “He says he’s not doing anything.” Matt then turned the heater on said, “Imagine having to run the heater on a day like today.”
“Does this kind of thing usually happen when Shane’s around,” John demanded as Mary unlocked her seatbelt and snuggled against her husband for warmth.
Matt rolled his window down to allow the cold, moist air to escape and he replied, “No. This is the first time ever.”
“S-s-soo, Matt,” Troy said as his teeth chattered from his position of shotgun, “How is it you’re able to see and talk to Shane?”
Matt had the heater going full blast and had the vents pointed at Mr. and Mrs. Selbert and he blew on his cold fingers before answering.
“I was there when he died.”