Free Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis Page A

home, please.”
    â€œWait just a minute, young lady. What did that boy give you before you came in here? It looked like some kind of pill. Are you high?”
    The big kid who was driving pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Hayley. “You mean these?”
    It was a can of Altoids mints.
    â€œWe shared a bag of Funyuns on the way up here, so we had stinky breath,” Gemma said, seething.
    â€œWant one?” the boy offered Hayley.
    â€œNo, thank you. I’m fine,” Hayley said, barely audible.
    Hayley looked over to Mona and Liddy for support, but they had already quickly downed their beers at the bar and were slinking toward the exit before Gemma spotted them too.
    Hayley feared she had just crossed a line and perhaps lost her daughter’s trust for good.

Chapter 11
    â€œI’m really not comfortable appearing on camera, Bessie,” Hayley said.
    â€œNonsense. You’re a natural,” Bessie said, fluffing her own hair as she stared into a mirror.
    A pimply kid around Dustin’s age, wearing a Jay-Z t-shirt and tattered jeans, stood behind a mounted camera. Next to him was a pudgy kid holding a cheap-looking boom mike.
    â€œWhere did you get all this equipment?” Hayley asked.
    â€œRented it from the high school. My crew members are volunteers from the visual-arts department. They’re getting extra credit for helping me out.”
    Bessie had decided to make a promo video for her burgeoning candy business and post it on YouTube. When she called Hayley to come over to her house, Hayley just assumed the special candy she promised to whip up for her was ready to be picked up.
    But it wasn’t.
    Bessie had other plans.
    She needed a straight man for her video. Since Bessie had very few friends, Hayley was basically her first and only choice.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?” Hayley asked.
    â€œJust be yourself. You’ll be my guest. After all, you’re somewhat of a local celebrity with your cooking column. Now don’t worry. You can just stand here and smile and I’ll do all the talking.”
    â€œLike a Price Is Right model.”
    â€œExactly,” Bessie said as she finished primping.
    That didn’t seem so bad.
    â€œOkay, let’s try one and see what we get,” Bessie said. “You boys ready?”
    They nodded, but they seemed noncommittal.
    The plump one yawned.
    â€œOkay, we’re rolling.... Sound is speeding . . . and action!” the pimply kid said.
    Bessie smiled brightly and looked straight into the camera. “Hello, everyone, I’m Bessie, your favorite chocolatier. Today I have a special guest here with me. I’ve invited my dear friend, Hayley Powell, over because I’m dying for her to try some of my delicious chocolate candies you can buy online at my website, BessiesSweetTreats.com. Go ahead, Hayley. Have one.”
    Bessie waved a lumpy-looking chocolate in front of Hayley’s face.
    Hayley didn’t expect a taste test.
    But she went with it.
    Hayley bit into the chocolate. It didn’t taste as bad as she had expected.
    â€œHmmmm . . . so good, Bessie. Yummy,” Hayley said stiffly. Her acting talents were never going to make Meryl Streep nervous.
    â€œHow would you describe the filling?” Bessie said to Hayley, but the chocolatier was still looking straight into the camera.
    â€œIs that almond?” Hayley guessed.
    â€œNo, it’s walnut. Cut!”
    Bessie looked at Hayley disappointed. “I guess we should have rehearsed first. Let’s try another take.”
    This time Hayley was prepared to guess the correct ingredients; but every time she thought they were done, Bessie insisted on doing another take. She wanted her inaugural video to be absolutely perfect.
    Which meant after twenty-four more takes, Hayley had eaten a full box of chocolates.
    Hayley’s stomach was churning.
    She felt queasy.
    And she actually felt dizzy from the sugar