Human Steps, Zombie Knees

"I feel like this might be a bad idea after all," I muttered as I watched little snippets of black fall past my view.

"No, you need the hair cut, it's getting all shaggy." Nora was concentrated on the scissors, thankfully. Her movements were fast and close and I was more than a little concerned for the wellbeing of my ears.

"No, no, I mean talking to the General. I could just wait. Try next month—" Nora's hand landed firmly on top of my head and tilted it back. She looked less than happy—which, in retrospect, was a bit uncalled for.

"R. You are talking to him. Today. Not next month, not next year. Today. You are going to put on nice clothes and go have dinner with him like a grown ass man." She raised an eyebrow like she had control over me or something. "If you don't, I'm telling Julie."

Okay, she might hold the strings a little.

"I just, General Grigio isn't going to approve of me. He doesn't like me. He won't agree to making me family." I pulled away from her hand, avoiding her frown in the vanity mirror.

"R, how can he not like you? You kinda stopped the zombie apocalypse. That's something he had an invested interest in!" She tossed the scissors down and pulled the towel off my shoulders. The white dress shirt still looked freshly pressed, but I reached up and straightened my tie.

"He's going to say I'm not good enough—and he doesn't like me. He's going to shoot me. Again."

"That was years ago, and why would he say you're not good enough?" she asked and rested her hands on my hair, chin soon following.

I shrugged my shoulders and for some reason she found that as an excuse to plant her elbows down on them. "Stop that. I don't know how you could think you're not good enough. You're the best guy Julie's dated, like, ever. You guys have been the longest relationship she's ever been in. And I'm sorry, but you ate her last boyfriend. I don't think you can get more dedicated," she said. A silly grin broke out on her face. "You're gonna do great, R. I promise."

"Thanks, Nora," I mumbled as I felt my ears get hot. Blushing was still one of the worst parts about being alive again. Even after all these years. I looked down at the tiny ring. It was a simple band with a simply diamond, but it'd look wonderful on Julie's finger.