Be My Valentine (A Piper Harris Mystery, Volume 6) by Deany Ray

Author:Deany Ray [Ray, Deany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“This isn’t really happening, is it?” Ryker asked.

I wasn’t sure what to think about first: my gum revelation, Edie and Sourpuss going at it, or the lingering feeling from Ryker and our almost-kiss.

Why did I have to have that gum revelation now? But more importantly, why did those two have to pick this exact moment to start a fight?

Ryker and I watched as the shadows in the front intensified their scuffle, with others trying to separate them.

“Oh, geez,” Ryker said, standing up. “I think we need to step in.”

“I thought you said your Grams could handle herself here,” I said, still seated.

Ryker looked at me, bewildered. “They really hit the jackpot with you as their security, huh?”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell them all along,” I replied, finally getting up.

We made our way towards the brawling seniors. As we got closer, I recognized Edie and Sourpuss swatting at each other while others attempted to pull them apart. I briefly considered asking Gran to fire a warning shot to end this, but Edie managed to break free just then.

Sourpuss lunged at Edie, but Edie jumped back just in time, dodging her, making Sourpuss stumble forward. Unfortunately, Edie’s leg got tangled in Greta’s knitting needles. She almost fell but managed to steady herself. Sourpuss let out a laugh, got up, and tried to grab Edie again.

“Get away from me, you crazy broad!” Edie shouted, sprinting away. Sourpuss jumped up and chased after her.

Ryker and I exchanged helpless looks. What was this? Kindergarten?

The movie continued playing, but no one paid attention. The real action was right in front of them, much more captivating than the on-screen romance.

Edie ran out of the row with Sourpuss hot on her heels. People clapped, shouted, and did I hear someone taking bets on the outcome?

Edie dashed in front of the screen with Sourpuss close behind. We watched their silhouettes against the Casablanca movie backdrop: Edie’s white curls under the top hat bouncing and Sourpuss’ tight bun almost tickling Humphrey Bogart’s nose on the screen.

Scar Chin, Pendant Girl, and the others stood on the sidelines, frozen and clueless about what to do.

Sourpuss almost had Edie when Edie finally tripped and fell, yarn wrapping around her leg. A loud bang followed by a hissing noise caught everyone’s attention. I watched in dismay as Bogart’s face began to crumble, slowly sinking to the ground.

It looked like Edie had accidentally punctured the movie screen with one of Greta’s knitting needles.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd as the movie continued to play, but the screen fizzled and slowly deflated. Everyone, including Edie and Sourpuss, who had momentarily forgotten their fight, watched in shock.

“It would’ve been a miracle if we’d made it through the night without a hitch,” one of the residents said.

I rushed over to Edie to help her up and untangle her from the yarn, especially as Sourpuss quickly scrambled to her feet. I worried she might take another swing at Edie, but with the screen now deflated, the confrontation seemed to be over.

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