The Walking Wolves of Tahoe: Slaughter

Chapter 4

   Chapter Four...

I woke up late today, but that's because no matter how hard I tried, I simply couldn't fall asleep.

I tried counting sheep...it didn't work.

I tried reading...it didn't work.

I tried Benadryl...that knocked my ass out. I'll have to remember that for next time.

Tonight, is the big party, and I have to admit, I'm very excited about it. It's not every day one gets to dress up like Cinderella and go to the Ball...and know there's a huge lumberjack with incredible arms, a stunning smile and magnificent eyes waiting there for you.

I mean, I'm hoping he's there and didn't forget.

Well...if he did, there will be other gentlemen there. I'll just have to have fun regardless. After all, this is a once in a life time opportunity. I'll probably never get to go again, so I need to enjoy myself no matter what.

I watched the snow fall from my kitchen window as I poured milk onto my breakfast cereal. The coffee was done brewing and I poured myself some into my favorite coffee cup that said 'Star Trek' on the side. I walked with my cereal bowl and cup of coffee out into the living room.

I just wanted to kick back and read a book for a while, do some laundry and relax. Naomi will be here to pick me up around seven. I believe she said something about 'better to make an entrance that way. Everybody will there already and I love being the center of attention'.

It's Naomi...go figure.

I, personally, don't like being the center of attention.

I curled up in my favorite chair, setting my cereal bowl and coffee cup down on the side table next to the chair. I picked up my Dean Koonz novel and fanned through the paper pages looking for my last dog-eared reminder of where I had stopped previously.

I really liked this book. The Frankenstein series was a great one, and I'm really enjoying it. All these genetic mutant monsters that were technically superior human beings pretending to be average...and then, of course, they kill furiously without thought or mercy as they become the creatures they really are. Yep, my kind of afternoon reading.

I slurped my coffee as I turned page after page, delighted with the story line and fearing for the main character's well-being. I'd stop occasionally to either re-fill my coffee cup, go pee, or tell Pa what was happening in the story.

My Grandmother only spoke German and could only read German. I would read books when I was a teenager and then retell the story to her while she would quilt after dinner. My Pa would sit and listen too. He would laugh at his Mother's reaction when she would get upset or scared from the stories I re-told.

I remember those times fondly...and miss them dearly.

"I know...I know." I said out loud to Pa, "I need to put the book down and go get ready."

It was dark outside by now, but being the dead of winter, it gets dark very early.

I uncurled myself from my favorite chair and with coffee cup in hand I went to the front door and turned on the outside light for when Naomi arrives later.

I opened the door and poked my head outside. It was a cold, crisp night. I was glad to see that the earlier snow fall hadn't really added up too much. I probably should go shovel the drive, but I really didn't feel like doing it. I have the number of the snow removal company my neighbor gave me when I told him I shovel my own snow, like I did in Iowa back home on the farm. He laughed at me and handed me that company's business card.