All This and Family, Too by Sarah E. Glenn

Author:Sarah E. Glenn [Glenn, Sarah E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781617060687
Amazon: 1617060682
Publisher: Pill Hill Press
Published: 2011-05-01T22:00:00+00:00

“Yes, like that,” their grandmother chuckled at last. “I’ll make copies of our bill tomorrow and submit it to that woman. Perhaps we should discuss more pleasant things, like Josie’s birthday party.”

The teen tapped Cynthia’s shoulder. “Did you find a good pizza place?”

She smiled. “After careful consultation with my students, I think that the Italian restaurant at the UCI Marketplace will suit your needs just fine.”

Clarissa, she of the fake boobs, had been invited to the celebration. Cynthia had to agree that the girl did have a perky chest. She also had a nose ring with a lightning bolt hanging from it, which reminded Cynthia of a huge booger every time the girl tossed her too-red hair.

The other teen was named Antonio and was one of Josie’s classmates from shop. She had assumed he was Hispanic from the black hair and tawny skin, but he’d turned out to be half-Italian, half-Chinese. That was Irvine for you: a town of white bread and wasabi. Cynthia glanced around the table and thought about the strange assembly present: Grandma and Herman, the retired professors, two science nerds in their late twenties, and three teenagers. She might have enjoyed the contrast of ages more if her sinuses hadn’t been full. Could vampires get colds?

Josie plunked down her ice-filled glass. “I need another refill.”

Grandma tutted. “Now, dear, that’ll make your third soda.”

“You said no dietary restrictions for the party!”

“That doesn’t mean you should quaff so much pop that it makes you sick. Leave some room for the pizza. I let you order all those fatty meats, the least you could do is enjoy them.”

“I could use another soda, even if she doesn’t get one,” Cynthia said. The fizz was the only thing cutting through the steady stream of sludge in the back of her throat.

Grandma frowned with concern. “Are you all right? You sound odd.”

She began to reply, but cheers at the arrival of pizza, pasta, and garlic bread drowned her out. An explosion of pain took place in the front of her face: her eyes began to swell shut, and her ears plugged up. Something about the food was making it worse. Cynthia finally made the connection.

“Excuse me,” she mumbled, grabbing a napkin and rushing outside. The mucus choking her receded almost immediately. Damnation! It was the garlic! One more legend plays out.

She blew her nose and discovered that the napkin was now bloody. Ick. She dropped it into a nearby trashcan.

The door to the restaurant opened. “Are you okay?” Josie, fingers slick with garlic butter, hovered at her side. Just what she needed, hair from the dog. The headache returned.

“I will be. It’s just that–”

“Well, hello!” a familiar voice lilted nearby.

“Imogene?” Cynthia stared, bleary-eyed. What was she doing here?

“This is Imogene?” Josie scowled.

An amused smile curved the Asian woman’s lips. “Who is this young person?”

“This is my cousin, Josie. Josie, this is Imogene.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Imogene said, extending a graceful hand.

“Sorry, my fingers are greasy,” Josie said. “Are you coming back inside, Cynthia?”

“Is the rest of your family inside?” the girlfriend cooed.

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