"This would be faster if you used the whiteboard, you know..." These arguments always take half a day on the Ouija board. But, some people (or ... you know... former people in this case) insist on the 'traditional method'. But it just winds up being more passive/aggressive than Post-It notes on the fridge.

The planchette did start to move with greater speed and purpose. 'Message received, at least...' I sighed and waited for my supernatural roommate to finish his reply.

"H...A...V...E...F...R...I-"

"You'll have it on Friday?! It was due LAST Friday! I can't keep fronting you! You still owe me for the electric bill!" We had a deal; all the bills are in my name, since I'm the alive one in this relationship. We split cost on everything except gas, water and trash. He doesn't need the heat, doesn't wash or shower, and really doesn't produce enough waste to make it worth arguing over.

But he just LOVES watching Netflix, day and night.

I sighed. The only reason he's still haunting this place is his 'unfinished business'. And really, that should have been a giant, neon-glowing red flag for me to translate that into 'unpaid debts'. But I was out of time, out of money, and out of options. So sharing an apartment with an apparition for 6 months would let me get myself in order and into my own place.

... it's been 2 years.

I'm cutting it fine this month on my own expenses, but I can make to Friday. I rubbed my temples to try and abate the tension building behind my eyes. "... Fine. But rent AND electric by Friday. Alright?"

"A...G...R...E-"

"Agreed, got it." I paused. I knew he was doing some side gig. His 'day job' was late-night security, but he admitted early on that it wasn't sufficient to cover his debts. "What's your side hustle now? I know that Uber banned you after they found out you were pretending to be a self-driving car."

"C...R...Y...P...T...O-"

"Oh for fuck's sake!!"