Night Owl

Chapter 10 - Dunkin for Catfish

Chapter Ten

Dunkin for Catfish

I can't believe I slept so late. I rubbed my eyes as Grandma Lil walked into the bedroom. She carried a bouquet of flowers. She set them on the dresser. The room contained ten foot ceilings edged in massive boarding, encased with dark blue walls. And my bed was huge!

"Don't look so embarrassed, young lady. You needed the sleep. I've made everyone keep their traps shut this morning. You were tired last night."

I stretched my arms as I watched her happily humming while she arranged the flowers. I was more comfortable than I probably should've been for my first night at my grandparents. Grandma had given me a potion to help me sleep.

"Don't rush getting up. You still need rest. When you're ready and dressed, Saada and I have made you your favorite for breakfast."

I sat up quickly. I loved Grandma and Mrs. Saada's pancakes.

"After you eat, you're welcome to roam around so you can become familiar with the surroundings.

"Yes, ma'am."

She walked to the door. "I know you have questions. Grandpa and I have already called a meeting for tomorrow night in the grand room. We'll explain everything the best we can then." She smiled. "But today there'll be no worries." Grabbing the doorknob, she said, "I'll go and let you have your time. Oh, by the way, I called Nash and Mina after you went to sleep last night to let them know you got here safely."

"Thank you, Grandma." I stretched my arms.

She nodded and closed the door. I could hear her humming as she walked down the stairs.

I jumped out of bed, took a long hot shower, and slipped into my favorite jeans, a cotton shirt, and some tennis shoes. I jogged downstairs and into the kitchen. The pancakes smelled so good. Removing the aluminum foil, I placed them into the microwave.

While the pancakes heated, I found a large glass of lemonade sitting on top of the counter. Beside the glass sat a small bottle of potion with a note.

"Skyla, here's your lemonade to go with your breakfast. Next to the lemonade is a bottle of Polyphemus Potion. You're to take this special potion every morning from now on. It helps vampires to tolerate the sunlight on cloudy and rainy days. Mrs. Saada and I have added nutrients also. It's delicious I'm told. Drink all of it."

They knew. I was so relieved. Grandma knew I was part vampire, and she had already gone out of her way to mix a potion for me and others. I wonder who?

I ate my pancakes. At least I tried to eat them. Funny, I'd always loved them. Now, all I wanted was the lemonade, and the cherries she put in them.

I cleaned my dishes and went out the kitchen door to the large screened-in porch where I found Grandpa Red sitting over in a dark corner.

As long as I could remember, the rocking chair in the dark corner was his spot. He sat there every day, whittling for hours, carving unique wooden animals. I have the crow, a horse, and an Indian in my collection.

He kept all his creations in an antique box situated beside him. Grandpa always told me that the box came from Scotland. An odd-shaped lock was attached to it. The key stayed connected to a short, heavy chain, which Grandpa always kept in his pocket.

As I walked closer, I saw Chief Jo Elkins and Deputy Bill Horseford, along with Bill's father Pete, sitting with Grandpa, enjoying Mrs. Saada's coffee while reading and discussing the local news in the Pen Pusher Newspaper.