Free Lure by Brian Rathbone Page A

Julie said, and the crowd drifted away from the booth.
    "Uh. I suppose so. Yeah."
    "I'm curious. You said mostly vegetarian."
    She hadn't actually asked a question, but Sam beat Shells to the answer, "Sausage links don't count as strict vegetarian, do they?"
    "Not most of them, no," Aunt Julie said, looking thoughtful.
    "Shut up," Shells said.
    "Here, both of you need to do an herbal flush and detoxify. I can see in your auras that you are very toxic, and a toxic body has toxic relationships. You hear me?"
    "Yes, ma'am," Sam and Shells said.
    "It's just some nice, gentle herbal teas."
    Having past experience with Aunt Julie's 'gentle' teas, Sam knew that each one was like swallowing a hand grenade. The last time she had tried one of Aunt Julie's teas, she couldn't leave the house for days.
    "I'm really worried about you, honey," Aunt Julie said, turning back to Sam. "I'm trying to read your aura, but there is just too much energy around, and with all that's happened to you, I can't cut through it. All I can see is darkness. When you get to North Carolina, you go straight to a psychic and get checked out. You hear me. No doctors or any of those quacks; you go see an honest to God psychic. Promise me."
    "I promise, Aunt Julie. I promise."
    "OK. I feel better then. But here, take this crystal with you, it'll protect you." The woman produced a piece of crystal the size of Sam's index finger. Notches had been carved on both sides of the thickest end, and a leather thong had been tied securely around it.
    When Sam accepted the stone from her aunt; she could almost feel it vibrating, and it felt warm to the touch, warmer than she would have expected.
    "Wear this around your neck and it will protect you," Aunt Julie said. "And don't forget to go see a psychic."
    Sam nodded, always amazed by the things that were important to her aunt. "Yes, Aunt Julie." This landed her another kiss on the cheek.
    "Here's the combination to the lock on the shed. It's dry in there. And you can keep your stuff there as long as you would like, though I do hope you come back soon."
    "And you behave yourself, you rascal," she said to Shells, who waved from behind Sam.
    "Damn, dude. Does she always have to get all up in your business?"
    "Pretty much," Sam said.
    Walking out of the barn into the sunlight blinded Sam for a moment. The sun was starting to sink low, and folks were setting up for the rodeo. "I wonder if Joey and Mark are over there," Sam said.
    "Aw, man. I wonder if they have any french fries made up."
    "You know they cook bacon and fish in that same oil," Sam said.
    "Shut up," Shells responded almost automatically, and then she laughed, "That might be why they taste so darn good. Damn you carnivores and your tasty bits. If you would all just eat bean sprouts and avocados, I'd have no worries."
    The smell from the concession stand was promising, and they walked up the grassy hill to the front windows.
    "What's up, shiny happy people," Joey said from within, his reddish hair cut short, and his neatly trimmed beard was of the same color. His ears were pierced and he wore large black rings that made him look to Sam as if he were part LEGO.
    "Can you make us some fries?"
    "The oil's not hot enough yet," Joey said.
    Mark walked over to the fryer. "One fifty."
    "Yeah. That's too low."
    "C'mon, dude," Shells said. "I'm jonesing for some fries."
    "No can do," Joey said. "If I throw frozen fries in there now, I'll never get the oil up to temperature. Sorry."
    "Bummer, dude," Shells said.
    "I can make you a crab cake sandwich, or a hamburger or something. The grill's plenty hot."
    "Nah," Shells said. "I'll pass."
    "So I hear you got evicted," Joey said to Sam. "Heard you were having some trouble with the law too. That ain't right; turning on their own like that. You all right?"
    "Yeah, you need us to kick somebody's ass?" Mark asked from behind Joey.
    "I think I'll be all right, but if I'm ever looking for backup, you know you'll be the first I