AUGUST TO JANUARY THE FULL MOONS. GRANNY'S DINER. Chapter 7
Picture if you will, a far away place. Where calm can become a storm. Where past and present liaise. Where anything can happen. Picture Granny's Diner.
"That's great of Granny letting us stay here"
Mulan sips her coffee but her eyes remain on Red.
"I will help around the diner as thanks"
Red slipped her shoe off and played footsie with Mulan. They hadn't taken their eyes off each other, except when the door bounced open dramatically, the diner was not open yet!
A tall elderly man. Long white hair and a beard to match.
Eugenia's head popped up from behind the counter. Her mouth dropped open.
"Zach?"
"Eugenia?"
"Grandad?"
Then a glance to the counter
"Granny?"
Mulan sat back and watched the three. She thought Reds grandad was dead. This was proving to be an interesting trip.
Granny was in a spot. She saw that Red was confused and as for Zach he turned the close/open over, took off his coat and sat down.
Trouble attracts trouble. The door again, dramatically.
Granny is now on the edge of running for the hills.
"Cora?"
"Eugenia?"
Red whispers to Mulan "the queen of Hearts"
"Zachariah?" Cora says his name with contempt. He strokes his beard
"I see the wicked harlot is still here".
At this point granny nearly clears the counter to stop Cora from reducing Zach to a pile of ashes. Cora's reputation precedes her.
Questions fire at granny like bullets from a Kalashnikov.
"When did you move you here?"
"Why didn't you answer my letters?"
"Why didn't you tell me he was alive?"
"Is that my granddaughter?"
"Why is this man here?"
"Does mummy know?"
"And where is Anita?"
Up to this point granny had kept shtum.
"ONE AT A TIME, PLEASE".
An air of anticipation wafted through the diner.
"Ruby my sweet, it's a long story can we talk later?"
Red pouted. Granny gave Mulan a desperate glance. She obliged and took Reds hand and lead her out. Granny was in debt to that girl.
"Cora, it's good to see you, take a table please"
With all the grace that the queen of hearts carries, she sat down in one fell swoop as if it was a throne, while still giving Zach daggers.
"Ok, now Zach. What the hell are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you well Eugenia. Where is my daughter, I need to talk with her and now I see I have a granddaughter too. You could have put word out for me-"
"How the hell could I do that? osmosis? Why for fairy trumpets would I Zach? Our daughter is a werewolf, you are a slayer. If you have come this far, then I suspect you knew this already"
"I heard rumours. Sickening lies-"
"No! It's true. Anita thinks you are dead, it's better you stay that way-"
Zach was on his feet
"My granddaughter? Is she...is she also tainted?"
"Oh yes out and proud every which bloody way, Zach, stay away from her, you hear, don't you dare interfere I warn you."
The crossbow always close by.
Zach went pale.
"The Lord His Eminence tests me so".
His knuckles white as he gripped the back of the chair.
He put his coat back on and as he walked through the door
"Our business remains unfinished Eugenia."
She felt she hadn't breathed until this moment.
"Cora..."
Cora smiled
"Thank heavens that odious man has left. Give me a hug then"
As the two women embraced Cora reached behind Eugenia and flipped the open/close sign. It was to be a long hug.
"But Ruby, I need to talk to Ruby" Granny didn't relish that chat.
Cora pulled Eugenia in tight. "Ruby has a good head on her shoulders and besides,
She has excellent taste in women". A cheeky gleam.
Eugenia relaxed into Cora's Arms. It felt good. It felt needed.
Time contracted. It was like yesterday.
Now all they had to do was kiss. That they did.
Other matters could wait.