Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner Read Free Book Online Page B

exception. We all migrated to the foyer, then stepped out onto the front porch where hands started shaking and good-byes started flying.
    In the flurry, Larson took my hand, his skin rough against my own. “It’s been a lovely, enlightening evening, Mrs. Connor. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
    His eyes reflected a deep intensity. Not necessarily evil . . . but the man definitely looked as if he knew my secrets.
    I shivered, fighting revulsion and a hint of fear. “Yes,” I managed. “I’m sure we’ll cross paths again soon.”
    “And I’m so sorry I didn’t have the chance to meet your daughter. I imagine she’s just like her mother.”
    My chest constricted and I realized I couldn’t breathe. It was almost eleven o’clock. The mall had been closed for an hour. And I hadn’t heard a word from Laura or Allie.
    Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit .
    “I hear Timmy crying,” I muttered, ostensibly to Stuart, but I didn’t bother to see if he heard me. I raced back into the house, tossing “thank you all for coming” over my shoulder as I disappeared inside.
    “Pick up, pick up, pick up.” I had the phone in my hand and was pacing the kitchen. Laura’s voice, that damn message, the beep, and then, “Allie? Laura? Where are you guys? Hello?”
    No one was answering, and I was on the verge of slamming down the receiver and racing to Laura’s back door when the machine beeped and I heard Mindy’s voice, laced with giggles. “Mrs. Connor?”
    “Mindy.” I exhaled, and my legs gave out. I sank to the ground and hugged my knees to my chest, my back pressed against the dishwasher. “Where’s Allie?”
    “She’s on the treadmill. We both had double scoops, so that means we have to burn like three hundred calories or something to make up for it.”
    I closed my eyes and decided I’d save the eating-disorder lecture for another time. “Can you put her on?”
    Mindy didn’t bother to answer, but I heard the clatter of the cordless phone changing hands. “Mom! Mrs. Dupont took us to an Adam Sandler movie! Isn’t that cool? He is soooo funny.”
    “I didn’t realize you guys were going to be gone that long,” I said. “I thought you were just getting ice cream.”
    I could practically hear her shrug. “We kinda begged. But, Mom, it was such a slammin’ movie.”
    I assumed that meant she liked it. “Any reason why you didn’t call to let me know where you’d be?”
    “Huh? I was with Mrs. Dupont, remember?”
    Okay, I wasn’t being fair. “Sorry. I just got a little worried when I couldn’t find you.”
    “Then let me have a cell phone.”
    My daughter, the pragmatist.
    “So,” I said brightly, “why don’t you and Mindy come over here tonight. I’m wired from coffee. If you’re still up for that Harry Potter marathon, I’m game.”
    “Um . . .”
    Not the enthusiastic response I’d wanted. “Come on, Al. It’ll be fun. You two can stay up as late as you want.”
    “Yeah?” A pause. “Why?” Suspicion laced her voice. Smart kid.
    “Because you’re my kid and I love you and I want to spend time with you.” And protect you.
    “Oh.” I held my breath while she thought it over. “We don’t have the movies.”
    “I’ll send Stuart out to get them.”
    “And we can really stay up for all of them?”
    “Absolutely.” I could be magnanimous in victory.
    “Cool.” A pause, then. “And, Mom?”
    “Hmmm?” I was distracted by the realization that I now had to convince Stuart to schlep to Blockbuster.
    “I think the guy at the concession stand likes me.”
    No more distraction. “Which one? That blond guy who looks like he plays college football?” I’d wring his neck if even looked at my baby girl that way.
    “ Nooo. ” I got the verbal eye roll. “He’s probably about sixteen and he’s got glasses and curly dark hair. He’s cute.”
    “You don’t need a boyfriend, Allie,” I said. “Believe me. There’s time enough for that later.”
    “Oh,