Old Habits

Conor: learning to catch

Chores were done quickly with so many people. I was still a little used to it taking Susie Lynn and myself a couple hours. But now we could tackle projects and chores and still have time to throw a softball around before lunch. Our classes were in the afternoon, so that time was taken up by being inside.

Susie laughed at my form, but didn't offer any suggestions as I threw her the ball.

"You can't make fun of me and not help," I complained. "Tish, tell her."

"Conor, you look like you have never thrown a thing in your life," Tish snorted.

Susie Lynn threw the ball to my girlfriend who twirled once and then tossed it to me.

"Try again," she said. "And this time, try to pay attention to your arm. And your body. You have to lean with it, not away from it."

I tried to take her advice, but the ball sort of flopped out of my hand. Tish held her hand over her mouth, but of course I knew she was laughing at me. Susie picked up the softball and threw it to Tish.

"You catch the ball just fine," Tish noted, tossing it at me again. "Okay, lift the ball up, pull your arm back and point with your other arm towards Susie. Now swing your arm and throw the ball."

My next attempt went much better. I smiled as Susie Lynn caught the ball in her mitt. Tish clapped and I rolled my eyes at her.

"Conor!"

We all started moving toward the sound of Mel's voice. Even Keith and Ralph started moving out of the shop up the path. I had no idea why anyone was needed me at the house, but I hoped it wasn't anything serious.

Tish reached for my hand as we made it to the porch.

"Someone has just turned onto our property," Mel said. "Susie, will you go to the shop and stay with Keith and Casey? And I'd rather have the rest of you wait down there."

"Mom," Susie complained.

"Thank you, Susie Lynn."

My heart sank. Tish squeezed my hand as we headed inside, immediately hurrying to the camera feed. The SUV had stopped and a figure out of the car. They were holding a dark umbrella.

"Vampires," Tish whispered, wrapping my arm in hers.

I waited as the vampires crossed our sidewalk and headed to the front door. A moment later, they knocked.

Ralph frowned at the door and then rolled to it with Mel. I stayed in the kitchen, watching the screen with Tish.

"Stefa?" she asked.

"I don't know," I replied.

We could hear the door creak open.

"Can we help you?" Ralph asked in a flat tone.

"Um, I hope so," came a familiar voice. "Do you know where Stefa is?"

I frowned, stepping out of the kitchen. The others followed me in confusion.

"Jackson, what the hell are you doing here?" I demanded.

Jackson gave a little wave to me, but took a small step backward. Lacy was with him, folding the umbrella. She was ghostly pale in a smart looking green dress. She had fully turned like we had suspected. Jackson would have probably looked charming if I didn't dislike him so much.

"I'm looking for Stefa," he said. "She's vanished off the earth as far as I can tell and the only place I could think to look for her was here. So is she here?"