Page 8 of Zombie's Howl-O-Ween
“They’re calling for fifteen to twenty inches!” That may not sound like a lot, but I’d seen less shut the town down. It was blowing snow and whiteout conditions that kept most people tucked away in the warmth and safety of their homes.
“Yes, and the wind is picking up speed. We’ll probably have to be closed Saturday and maybe Sunday, depending on how bad it is.”
I turned around to face my mom. “I’m going to the party. Brandon invited me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, sweetie. The worst of it is supposed to hit after midnight.” She tapped her finger against her lips. “I should have Papa check the generator to make sure it’s working properly. Can’t have the food in the refrigerator and freezer go bad.”
“The weather could change. Maybe it won’t be so bad.” I prayed the weather people had gotten it wrong. “I’ll just make sure to be home before midnight.”
Fortunately, I wasn’t a child. If I wanted to go to the party, my parents couldn’t stop me. I was twenty-one and a legal adult.
Of course, if I went, they would give me a lot of crap about it and make me feel guilty for not respecting their opinion. That was okay. I could handle anything they threw at me. I needed to see Brandon, and my parents wouldn’t stop me.
“Well, you can certainly pray for better weather. But the Farmer’s Almanac predicted extreme weather around Halloween. They’re rarely wrong.”
A groan left my lips.
This was just great. Finally, the guy I secretly liked had made a move and an early winter megastorm was trying to get between us.
Well, not if I could help it.
I would be at that Halloween Bash, and no amount of wicked weather wouldn’t stop me.
4
Zombie
I sat at the bar in the clubhouse and watched the entrance, hoping Trixie would appear. Maddox assured me that she was interested in me. But I wasn’t so sure. She hardly knew me, and it was possible once she knew all my weirdness, she would move me into the friend zone.
“That’s a cool wolf mask.” Lynx sat next to me.
“I’m a lone wolf.” In my life I’d been a loner, so I thought I’d dress up as one.
“Nice. Sure you want to be covered up when your girl gets here? She won’t know it’s you.”
“Maybe I don’t want her to know it’s me.”
“Well that defeats the purpose of inviting her, doesn’t it? How will she find you?”
I considered his words. “I’m not sure about her anymore.”
“Don’t give me that. You’re sure. You’re just afraid.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “I’m confident you have nothing to worry about.”
I stared at him through the tiny eye holes. “What are you supposed to be?”
“The Man of Steel, of course.” He hopped off the bar stool and stood with his hands on his hips, chest pushed out, and he a massive grin. Clearly, he was proud of his costume.
“I don’t know who that is.” I hadn’t watched very much television growing up and watched even less as a grown man. Most pop culture references floated right over my head. But I could talk cars and do general maintenance on them. I also enjoyed putting stuff together like furniture, wooden playsets, and pergolas. And riding my Harley.
“You don’t know Superman?” His mouth dramatically opened. “The best superhero on the planet?”
“Nope.” Just then, I saw Trixie enter, dressed in red. “Oh, shit. She’s here.”
“Boy, she’s a looker in that Red Riding Hood costume. Did she know you were going to be a wolf?”
“No.” I didn’t know who Red Riding Hood was either.
“Amazing. I mean, you’re not the Big Bad Wolf, but it works. It’s like y’all are on the same wavelength. A perfect match.”
