After Dark by James Leck, Yasemine Uçar, Marie Bartholomew, Danielle Mulhall Read Free Book Online Page B

Johnny said, and we all filed into Romero’s.
    The place was filled with old-timers eating big platefuls of bacon and eggs and sipping from steaming mugs of coffee. Mom insisted we sit at the front counter, just like she and Hal used to do when they were kids. The locals stared at us as we made our way to the stools and took a seat.
    A few seconds after we sat down, our waitress — a husky woman with gray hair and a name tag that read Mabel pinned to her white shirt — bustled over. She handed out the menus and filled our cups with coffee without asking if we wanted any.
    â€œBack in a sec,” she said and left.
    â€œTry the blueberry pancakes,” Mom said. “They’re delicious.”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said, looking around. “I think we might get run out of town if we don’t order the bacon and eggs.”
    â€œI’ll get both,” Johnny said, putting his menu down.
    â€œDon’t you have to watch your figure for your fans?” I asked.
    â€œThe producers want me to beef up a bit for next season, so I’ve got to increase my calorie intake.”
    â€œThey want you to beef up, Johnny, not pork up.”
    â€œDon’t worry about me, bro,” he said. “I’ve got some killer workouts that’ll keep me a lean, mean, vampire-fighting machine. You should join me, Chuck, you’re looking a little soft in the middle.”
    â€œThe Ping-Pong coach at Choke likes me to carry around a little extra weight, you know, for reserve energy, in case I get caught in an extra-long match.”
    â€œWe didn’t have a Ping-Pong team at Choke, did we?” Johnny asked, but before I could explain, Sheriff Dutton walked in and strolled over.
    â€œMorning,” he said, nodding at us.
    â€œGood morning, Sheriff,” Mom said, swiveling around on her stool.
    â€œPlease, call me Rick.”
    â€œAs long as you call me Claire. Catch any monsters last night?” she said, grinning.
    â€œCan’t say that I did, but I had my hands full. There were plenty of calls. Some of the local kids were out celebrating the end of the school year.”
    â€œSpeaking of trouble, I’m not sure my brother, Hal, came back home last night. Do you think he’s okay?”
    â€œWell, you know Hal, he’s a … little eccentric, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
    â€œIt’s just the truth,” Mom said.
    â€œBut he knows the woods around these parts better than most folks,” he added, and took a business card and pen out of his pocket. He scribbled a number on the back and handed it to Mom. “If he’s not back by dinner tonight, give me a call and I’ll see what I can do.”
    â€œThanks,” Mom said.
    â€œWhat can I get you, Sheriff?” Mabel asked, wandering back with her pot of coffee.
    â€œI’ll have a big cup of joe and some blueberry flapjacks,” Dutton said. “You all have a good day,” he added and then took a seat at a booth in the back.
    â€œHe’s a handsome devil, isn’t he?” Mabel said, winking at Mom. “And he’s single, too, if you can believe it.”
    â€œDo you have any vegan options?” Lilith blurted.
    â€œEggs?” Mabel said, shrugging.
    Lilith frowned. “I’ll have a bowl of oatmeal, please — no milk.”
    â€œI’d like the bacon and eggs — and could you put some extra bacon on the side?” I said, looking pointedly at Lilith.
    â€œI’ll see what I can do,” Mabel said, while Lilith glared at me. “It’ll be a bit of a wait — we’re a little backed up today. One of our waitresses called in sick. I think she came down with a bad case of celebrating the end of school.”
    Mabel wasn’t joking. It was almost an hour before we got our food. While we waited, Mom went over some of the renovation plans and assigned a few jobs. She’d hired some