Cinnamon (Shooting Stars 1)

they were holding hands.

"Maybe it's just a client," Clarence offered

charitably. My eyes clashed with his hopeful look. "You don't hold hands with your clients," I

managed to reply.

We both stood there, gazing through the

window. Whatever they were saving to each other

pleased Daddy. His smile widened and then he leaned

over the table to meet her halfway so they could kiss

on the lips,

I look at Clarence.

"Still think that's a business meeting?" He let his eyes drift down and shook his head. "Sorry." he said.

"Me too." I replied and turned abruptly. I walked as quickly as I could. Clarence had to

jog to catch up. "It might still be something innocent:' he offered. "As innocent as Cain's murder of Abel," I replied. The tears in my eyes felt like they were frozen, stuck against my pupils, making the world appear foggy around me.

Mommy's lying sick and broken in a hospital room, was all I could think. It made my throat close.

I crossed the street quickly, nearly running toward the parking lot now.

"It's amazing that you decided to come into the city and be down here just at the right time," Clarence said trying to slow me down.

I stopped abruptly, so abruptly he almost stepped into another pedestrian.

"No, it's not really."

"What do you mean? You knew about this?"

"No. The spirits in the house made me go. The moment I woke up this morning, it was as if someone had whispered in my ear during the night or just before I woke up telling me to go. I felt pushed along."

"You're kidding, Aren't you?"

"No. I'm not. They look after me," I said. I walked on. Clarence hurrying to catch up again.

"You really believe there are spirits in your house? I thought that was just something you wanted people to believe, something we had fun spreading around."

"It is fun. but I do believe it now. Yes." I said. I paused at the entrance to the parking lot. "You'll come over one night this week and go up to the attic with me and decide for yourself."

"Really?"

"Unless you're afraid," I said.

"No," he said shaking his head. He looked back in the direction of the coffee shop and then looked at me again. "No." he repeated, but this time. he didn't sound as confident.

"I've got to stop by the clinic to see my mother," I said. "Will you be all right waiting in the car?"

"Sure."

"Thanks," I said.