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"… so the good part is they can just hose me off at the station and I won’t have to worry about showering Get it? Hose ?" Iris’s syrupy French-toast voice finally interrupted my inner critique and I snapped to attention

"I’ about hosing Again"

Right then, Aed to veer Iris toward more innocuous subjects as we ate We talked about her boutique and some new stock she wanted me to try When ere finally finished, I insisted on picking up the check, so she insisted on paying the tip

"Should we head out to the Sty?" Iris asked ere in the parking lot I shuddered Not because I didn’t love the Pig Sty, our local bar that ned by a pair of nahuals whom I adored It was just that the Sty was also usually home to Stuart Gray, Jason’s cousin and Rockabill’s self-appointed ht back

"Sorry, Iris, but I’ht, with my self-control just about shot One word out of Stu’s obnoxiousbolt If I could zap lightning bolts, that is

"How about a ride hoot a deal"

She nodded and we ambled over to her little pink hybrid "I don’t see your wet suit," she said, casually, as we got in her car

I ignored her as I buckledto leave your clothes in the sand?" she asked, trying a different angle "Don’t they get dirty?"

I blinked at her, and she started up her car

"I could hold them, you know For you Make sure they stay dry"

I fiddled with her car’s stereo

"Just a little sex? Please?" Iris’s voice was like carahed with me "I’m sorry I can’t help it"

"I know, Iris I know," I said, still giggling as I patted her hand affectionately "But those lines do put the suck in ‘succubus’"

CHAPTER TWO

After work the next day, I went ho to train with Nell The screen door on our little house creaked alarly when I opened it, and I es My key stuck, as usual, and I jiggled it the way I knew it liked to be jiggled until I was allowed inside My dad was sitting in our little living roo poker

"Hey, Dad!" I said, surreptitiously checking on his condition before I hung up my coat

"Hey, honey," he answered He sounded, and looked, really tired

"How you feeling? Can I get you anything?" I knew he’d hate that I fussed, but I couldn’t help it I was good at fussing

"Oh, I’ive hiue, he didn’t look too bad, and whatever newHe’d looked decidedly rosier recently, and he was sleeping better

"Really, I’ that stupid uys you stayed awake to watch Steel Magnolias," I chided

He groaned "Are you kidding o out and chop down a tree or change a tire to prove my masculinity But I do love that damned movie," he confessed finally

"And that’s why I love you, Dad," I said, leaning down to kiss him on his stubbly cheek

"I love you too, honey And I don’t want you to worry so ood That new treat"

"You do look better," I said, asthe subject "So, what’s for supper?"

"I thought I’d ood, honey And therefor you"

I narrowed ," my dad answered casually

Well, it couldn’t be a naked vampire or my dad wouldn’t be so calthe Hallratuity I was terrified fireworks would explode or the naked vampire would ju suddenly, although I wasn’t sure if it was over the thought of Ryu naked or the idea of cake

Mmmmm… cake…