Beast by Todd Michael Cox

Author:Todd Michael Cox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wisconsin, family, werewolf, secrets, illness, family relationships
Publisher: Todd Michael Cox

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“Will it be done by deadline?”

“Sure.”

“That’s a yes? A definite yes?”

“Yes, it’s a yes.”

Andy was talking to one of his writers, a nice white-haired older gentleman who was working on a story about the Talbot Library and its proposed expansion plan. A good writer but he had a tendency to bring things in either at the last minute or past deadline. I work at one speed, he’d once said. Mine.

“Tom, we need it by Friday at six, no later.”

“It’ll be here.”

Andy gave Jenny Atkins a look when the older man turned away and she had to cover her mouth to hide her giggle. She was, as usual, leaning in the doorway of Andy’s office and she gave the older man a smile as he passed her on his way out. When he was gone Jenny walked over to the desk and leaned down to Andy.

“You treat Gramps like shit.”

“I do not. I treat him like I treat everyone.”

“You treat everyone like shit.”

He groaned and pretended to read some papers. “I’m busy.”

He knew she was smiling that damn devilish smile of hers, the one that came just before she said something sassy, but he forced himself not to look at it.

“Guess what?” she said.

“If you say we’ve got more Dogman sightings I swear I’ll scream.”

She sighed and stood tall, and remained looking down at him for several seconds before she sighed again.

“Jesus, Andrew, you’re no fun.”

“This isn’t supposed to be fun. This is work.”

“Well, you better be more fun when me and Terry come over. When will that be, by the way?”

“We haven’t decided. Don’t you have work to do?”

“Not really.”

Now he looked up and yes, there it was, that damn smile. When he felt himself about to return it he looked away again.

She sighed once more. “All right, if you’re gonna be that way I’ll leave. Sometimes you’re a real killjoy, you know that?”

“Yes.”

“I suppose Rachel says that all the time.”

He was about to respond but stopped himself. Rachel didn’t call him that, no, but Megan had. Jenny didn’t need to know that.

“Okay, be pissy,” Jenny said. She turned and left.

Alone now, he leaned back in his chair and stretched out his feet. This was becoming habitual, he realized: faking that he was working when others were around. Not a good sign. But what did it mean, exactly? He didn’t hate his job, he didn’t think… but he’d never really taken the time to stop and ponder what he did feel about it. Perhaps there was a reason for that. Maybe he didn’t want to know the answer, maybe he was at that point in his life where contemplating such a topic might lead to conclusions that he couldn’t act on. A man reaches that age where he might hate the job he’s found himself in but can’t do anything about it. What could he do, look for something else, and here in Talbot of all places? Leave? No, he’d made too many promises, to himself, to Lucas, to a sister a thousand miles away.

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