Free The Uninvited by William W. Johnstone Page B

“What’s a creature from the Black Lagoon?”
    It’s an old movie,” Brett answered, very much aware of his age. They’re so young, he thought. And though I’m only thirty-five, I feel like an old man around them. Dear God, was I ever this young? He decided that in a way, he had been. But not to this extreme. Other days and other ways, pal, he thought.
    Yeah,” a boy said. “I seen that on TV the other night. A double feature. The other was about giant ants takin’ over the country.” He pronounced ants “aints.”
    Brett thought briefly of correcting the boy’s pronunciation and grammar, then blew it off. To hell with it—let the English department struggle with it.
    â€œGross!” a girl said. “Ants? Ugh! What could be worse than that?”
    â€œGiant roaches!” another young lady said.
    The dismissal bell was only seconds away. Brett looked at the young lady who had mentioned roaches. “Why did you say that, Cindy?”
    â€œâ€˜Cause who likes roaches? Nasty things. Can you imagine roaches crawlin’ all over you? Blagh!”
    Amid various shudders, complaints, and vocal expressions of horror, consisting mostly of “Ughs!” “Blaghs!” and “Grosses!” the bell rang. The second period of the short day was over. Brett’s third period was free. He straightened his desk, then walked to the teachers’ lounge, hoping Kiri would be there. She was, and as usual, the mere sight of her brightened his entire outlook on life.
    Brett had had one disastrous marriage, just before he shipped out to Nam, and that one stroll down the aisle had soured him on any type of permanent relationship. Until he met Kiri. Little by little, over a period of two years, she had wormed the story out of him. It was not a new story, did not have any new twists to it. It was just the same old story of two young people falling in love with love and not being able to make the marriage work. They parted bitterly, hating one another. Luckily, there had been no children. His wife, he later learned, had his child aborted while he was in Vietnam.
    Kiri smiled at him as he filled a mug with strong coffee from the ever-present urn. “Not too much longer now, Kiri,” he said. “Few more weeks and this mess is over.”
    â€œGoing to teach summer school next year?” she teased him, knowing how he hated it and just exactly what his curt reply would be.
    â€œHell, no!”
    She scooted over one chair, giving him room to sit beside her. “I sometimes wonder who looks forward to vacation more, the kids or the teachers?”
    â€œI can assure you, dear, both look forward to it with equal anticipation.”
    â€œSpeaking of anticipation,” she smiled, rubbing her hand on his thigh.
    Luckily, they were alone in the lounge.
    â€œKiri,” he said, as her hand moved up his thigh to rest lightly on his crotch. “You are absolutely the most brazen female I have ever met.”
    She laughed as she squeezed his thickening penis, feeling him harden beneath her hand. “Chicken!” she said.
    â€œIt’s not a matter of bravery. If I have to get up suddenly, it’s going to be embarrassing. How would you like it if I reached over and grabbed you by the tit?”
    â€œDon’t be crude, dear,” she teased him.
    â€œCrude’s ass! I swear to God if you don’t stop what you’re doing, I’m going to drag you behind the curtains on the stage and . . . and . . .”
    â€œGo ahead, Chicken.” She kissed him softly on the mouth. “What are you going to do?”
    He told her. In very crude language, using four letter words.
    â€œOohh,” she said.By all means, come to the house an hour earlier this evening. I just don’t believe you can do all those things.”
    Laughing, she moved away from him, down one chair, giving him time to compose himself should anyone barge