March 4, 2026 #Donnaepisode

I was halfway through my tea when Donna appeared.
Not floated. Not dramatic.
Just… standing there like she’d been there the whole time.
You’re staring, she said.
I am, I admitted.
Catalina popped in upside down over the arm of my chair.
Oh good, we’re doing the Donna episode.
Joe followed, looking slightly nervous.
What episode?
Sally hovered near the window.
The one where she finally answers the question everyone’s thinking.
I blinked.
What question?
Donna crossed her arms.
How I died.
Joe shifted.
You don’t have to--
Oh relax, she said. I’m dead, not fragile.
Lionel leaned against the wall, adjusting his scarf.
Honestly I’ve been curious too.
Donna looked at all of us.
Then shrugged.
My body quit before my spirit did.
Catalina tilted her head.
Meaning?
Donna sighed.
Years of stress. Carrying things that weren’t mine to carry. Ignoring every warning sign my body sent me.
She looked at Joe.
Then one day it just said, “We’re done here.”
Joe swallowed.
I know…
Donna nodded sweetly.
I leaned forward.
But you were in the hospital.
For a little while, she said. Our daughter was there. Her boyfriend too. They were lovely.
Joe looked surprised.
You saw them?
Donna smiled.
I wasn’t blind, Joe.
Catalina frowned.
Wait… so basically your nervous system rage-quit.
Donna laughed.
That’s actually the most accurate description I’ve heard.
Sally waved a hand.
Darling, the human body is a terrible long-term employee.
Lionel nodded.
No benefits package whatsoever.
I asked quietly,
Were you scared?
Donna thought about it.
Not really.
Joe leaned forward.
You weren’t?
She shook her head.
I was… relieved.
Everyone paused.
Donna smiled gently.
Turns out when you finally stop carrying everything, the universe is very quiet.
Joe reached for her hand.
She let him.
Catalina whispered,
Okay that was kind of beautiful.
Sally sniffed.
Let’s not get sentimental. Someone still owes me breakfast.
Lionel looked around.
Is anyone else hungry or is that just a ghost habit?
Coco walked across the table and knocked over my teaspoon.
Which I took as a yes.
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