Free Unbreak my Heart by I. R. Johannesen Page B

raising her eyebrows in mock protest “Who did you say was shouting the pizza and sodas tonight, Crank?”
    “Sorry, my mistake, Crank apologised. He placed an arm around Clare’s shoulder. “Clare is shouting for the pizzas and sodas tonight, boys. We are her privileged guests for dinner.”
    Edward turned to Clare. “Thanks for shouting us all pizza tonight, ” he said wryly, “but I just hope you don’t regret it when you see how much pizza Uncle Crank can eat. Mom always used to say he’s like a bottomless pit when he’s hungry.”
    Clare looked up at Crank and smiled a dimpled smile that made him want to whisk her into his arms and kiss her again right there on the spot. “I think I should be able to cover it ... just,” she quipped, “but if I was a little short I’m sure your uncle could lend me a few bucks to cover it.”
    This time it was Michael who decided to add his two bob’s worth. “Actually,” he piped up, “Uncle Crank is so rich he …”
    Crank was forced to act fast. “Could afford to shout the whole meal,” he cut in before Michael had a chance to spill the beans about his vast wealth. “Providing, of course, that you two nephews of mine haven’t also both turned into bottomless pits since I last saw you.”
    Michael looked at him strangely, but said nothing.
    “Well, bottomless pits are my concern for tonight and mine alone,” Clare reminded Crank as he opened up the back of his 4WD so that Michael and Edward could put their luggage in. “And I am fairly certain that I can cover the cost of our meals regardless of how much anybody eats.”
    Once they were all in the car and buckled up, Crank started the engine and headed back to Karnack. “I’m fairly certain that I spotted a pizza joint a couple of blocks from where I dropped you ladies off in town yesterday,” he said, glancing at Clare.
    As he drove toward the heart of Karnack they passed a Thai and a Mexican restaurant and several high profile American fast food chains intermingled amongst the shops. “I don’t think it’s too much further now,” he said, turning on his indicator as he approached a set of lights. “I’m fairly certain that it was right… yup, just as I remembered.” He pointed to the large pink and white sign with a massive picture of a pizza as he turned the corner. “… just around the corner on the left.”
    “Michael, could you please help me undo my seatbelt?” Willow asked him politely when Crank had stopped the engine in the car park. “Yesterday it was a little stiff.”
    “He’s not Michael, I am!” Edward teased.
    Willow scratched her head and looked confused. “But I thought …?”
    “Don’t worry Willow,” Michael said, undoing the seatbelt for her. “Edward’s just messin’ with ya. I am Michael. He does that all the time tryin’ to be funny, but hardly anyone ever gets fooled. Besides, I’m not even sure he knows how to unbuckle a seatbelt.”
    “ Doesn’t he!” Willow giggled.
    Michael pretended to be shocked as he watched Edward undo his seatbelt and open the car door. “So he does, what a surprise!” he exclaimed.
    Willow giggled again. “You two are funny.”
    As they sat at their table inside the pizza parlour quietly talking amongst themselves as they waited for their orders, the sudden burst of music from Crank’s cell phone cut through the chatter.
    “Excuse me for a moment,” he apologised, noticing that the call was from Macey. “ Boys it’s your Mom. I’m gonna take this outside where it’s a little quieter. I’ll let you know the news as soon as I get back inside, okay?”
    “Hi Mace ,” he greeted as he reached the curb. “Has there been any word yet about Eli’s condition?”
    “Hi Crank.” Macey seemed a little calmer. “Did the boys arrive okay?”
    “Yeah, they’re a little tired after their long bus trip, but they’re both fine; still bickering as usual. As a matter of fact we’re just about to have pizza for