Sleeper Seven by Mark Howard Read Free Book Online Page A

Slowing, she turned up the steep gravel drive, the Kia's tires spitting pebbles onto the undercarriage. She passed a large outdoor stage constructed of rough-hewn timbers, bereft of any live music on this weekday afternoon, and drove over to the parking area to slip between a minivan and a pickup, the only other cars around.
    Jess locked the car out of habit, and steeled her nerves as she explored the outdoor seating area while looking for the entrance. It was hot, and the only company she found outside was a carpenter bee the size of a hummingbird, which greeted her by brazenly hovering within inches of her face. Ducking and weaving, she shooed it away as she spied the entrance and made a run for it. After checking to see if anyone had spotted her embarrassing dance of avoidance, which they hadn't, any attempts at further discretion were thwarted as the wooden screen door swung shut behind her with a loud
thwack
.
    A few locals finishing their lunch glanced up, but soon went back to their meal, utterly uninterested in her dramatic entrance. Another table held a family of four, whose bickering children had distracted the parents from even noticing her. Relieved, she headed towards a large ornate bar in the back, where a friendly-looking older woman was tidying up.
    "Hey honey, just one a ya?" she hollered to Jess. "Sit where you like, I'll be with y'all in a minute."
    Jess made her way through the maze of tables and perched on a barstool, then turned to smile at the family of four behind her, who looked like they were out-of-towners as well. She took a chance.
    "Hi, are you here for the Adams Center?" she asked, mentally kicking herself as she realized they were probably
not
here to teach their kids how to astral travel.
    "Why no, dear, what's that?" the mother replied, wiping ketchup off her young daughters arm. The boy, who looked about six, answered for her.
    "That's where the sun house is at!" he exclaimed excitedly. His mother, ignoring him, continued on.
    "Is that near the lake, then?"
    "Mom, that's the place just nearby," the boy continued, prompting the father to join in.
    "Oh, yeah," he recalled, turning to his wife. "The place with the dome."
    "Yeah — the big sun!" the boy repeated, vindicated.
    "Shhh...Finish your lunch," the father whispered to him, then turned back to Jess. "So...what exactly goes on there?" he asked, with a casualness that betrayed a distinct curiosity.
    "We'll it's like a retreat, I think...it's my first time, actually."
    "Well you're almost there, it's just up the road," the mother interjected. "I think it's like a spa or something, probably some crystal healing too, or maybe pyramid power stuff? Well...what did you sign up for exactly?"
    It was clear neither had any clue about the goings-on there, and were not-so-subtly prying for information.
    "Well I haven't actually signed up, I guess I'm just a walk-in. What are you here for?" Jess replied, changing the subject.
    "Oh, we're on our way to the lake, we're renting this year, but we're in the process of building a summer home here."
    Apparently there was some sort of resort down the road; Jess had no idea. In any case, they were no help in calming her nerves about the center; their curiosity only increased her latent anxiety.
    Returning from the kitchen, the waitress reappeared with a notepad, interrupting their awkward conversation — which was just fine with Jess.
    "Specials are up on the wall, soup is New England clam chowder, and there's $2.00 Stellas all day long. Can I get you a drink?"
    Jess ordered the special — blackened catfish — and a root beer, and after taking her order, the waitress hesitated for a moment.
    "Adams Center, huh?"
    "Yeah," Jess replied, "have you heard about it?"
    "Well sure! It was a big deal back in the 70's and 80's. We used to go there every year. Decided in '88 to skip the drive from Portland and just pack it all up and move here! I'm Kal, by the way," she said, placing her pen behind her ear and