Chapter Two

The Welcome Wagon

My first visitor was an old dame from The Gardening Society.

She introduced herself as Katy McGaw.

Katy ran a disdainful eye over my barren property.

She lectured me on the importance of flora and lawn sculptures.

I was getting hungry, so I made some sandwiches and invited her for lunch.

I was relieved when the door bell rang again.

I was beyond thrilled to see three smiling people my own age.

I jumped up from my chair and Katy's rants on plant lice to let them in.

I was instantly drawn to the only male in the group.

His name was Ben.

He was dressed kind of funny, in a sweater and some funky plaid sorts, but was still reasonably nice looking.

He also had blonde hair, dreamy blue eyes, and a sweet shy smile.

All Ben needed to be really hot was a nose piercing and a few trips to the gym.

I was just about to tell him a joke, when the other blonde in the group, a girl named Marissa, suddenly cut ahead of me and started talking to him.

Every time I tried to chat up Ben, this pushy broad would do something to keep all his attention focused on her. She even pulled out a pillow and had a pillow fight with him on the front lawn.

I thought if I called them in for a meal, I might get a word in edge wise.

Brandi, the third member of the party, took me up on the offer of food.

Marissa and Ben paid me no mind.

It was like they were locked in a little world all of their own.

I felt really annoyed.

If you two wanted to keep to yourselves, you should have just stayed home and had a private party.

Katy meanwhile was still hanging out talking about ladybugs and lawn fertilizers.

She joined Brandi and me at the table.

I really enjoyed talking to Brandi.

She was a nice, quiet, knowledge Sim, that had recently graduated from college.

We had a common interest in fashion and work, so we got on quite well.

I decided to go back outside and enjoy the last remaining day of summer.

The weatherman predicted that a cold front would soon be moving in.

Brandi agreed that we should enjoy the sun.

We hung out and talked some more, while Benissa continued to remain enthralled in the others company.

Katy had long out stayed her welcome. I just didn't have the heart to ask her to leave.

She kind of wandered around talking about lawn gnomes and mulch to anyone she thought was listening.

I much preferred Brandi's more fascinating conversation about lipsticks and powder compacts.

We tuned old Katy out the best we could, when everything went dim.

It seemed like the world suddenly quit revolving.

Everything seemed to lag and go in slow motion.

A long menacing shadow loomed up over me.

Coming Next: Annette's brush with the super natural.