Page 28 of Nothing Less than Magic
“That sounds sensible,” I say, impressed.
“They’re good kids. I only pray that our divorce doesn’t screw them up.”
I know she’s thinking of our parents and the toll it took on us. “It’s not the same thing, Lolly. Mom and Dad are not you and Brent.”
“No, they actually loved each other.”
I can’t disagree. In the end . . . well, who knows what was going through my father’s mind? But there is no denying that they loved each other. They always had.
We both become quiet, having said more than we usually do on the topic of our parents. From a young age, we learned to compartmentalize our memories of them, especially the last ones. I’d be the first to say it isn’t healthy, but it’s less painful.
I pull into the public lot and cut the engine. It’s dark, but the streetlamps throw off enough light that it’s an easy walk to the hotel.
“See all the scarecrows?” I stop so Lolly can get a better look.
“They’re kind of creepy, don’t you think?”
“What are you talking about? They’re cute.”
“They remind me of a Chucky doll,” Lolly says.
“You’re nuts.”
I open the door to the Ghost Inn and am welcomed with a din of voices. It’s crowded tonight. Everyone up from the city for the weekend’s festivities.
“I hope we can get a table. I should’ve called ahead for a reservation.”
Katie is behind the bar, sees me, and flags us over. “It’s crazy. The hotel is completely full. I heard they’re even booked at the Prospector.” She makes a face, because the motel on the other side of town is a little long in the tooth.
“This is my sister, Lolly. She’s visiting me for the weekend.”
“You guys staying for dinner?”
“We’d like to, that is if we can get a table.”
“Let me see what I can do.” Katie comes out from behind the bar and whispers something to the hostess.
Next thing I know, we’re getting whisked away to the back of the restaurant and seated at a table next to the fireplace.
“Your friend the bartender came through,” Lolly says, surveying the place. “Is it always like this?”
“No. It’s because of the parade tomorrow. People come from all over to celebrate Halloween. Because . . . you know . . . Ghost.”
“People are morons. Hand me that menu.”
Katie brings us tonight’s cocktail special. “A little creation I cooked up called the Ghost Ghoul. It’s basically a Moscow Mule with tequila instead of vodka. Tell me what you think.”
“Clever name,” I say.
Lolly takes a sip. “It’s good.”
I test it and nearly choke on the tequila. “Whoa, how much booze did you put in here?”
“Too strong?” Katie swipes mine off the table. “I’ll make you another one and be right back.”
Lolly smirks. “You’re a lightweight.”
“What I’m not is an alcoholic. Slow down there, girl.”
