Cupcakes & Corpses by B I Skinner

Author:B I Skinner [B I Skinner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: B I Skinner
Published: 2022-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The next morning, on the drive into Marcall’s, I’m surprised to see how much it snowed overnight. I love being the first person to touch fresh snow. The snowflakes sparkle in the lights from the street lamps, and the snow crunches under my car tires. You know it’s early when the snowplows haven’t been out yet.

The rabbits hop easily through the snow, but Stumpy insists I carry him into Marcall’s because he doesn’t like to get his stumps wet. At least, this is what the rabbits tell me. Sometimes I think if they wanted to, they could tell wild stories about the things Stumpy has supposedly told them, and I would be none the wiser. Hopefully, they never figure that out. Nonetheless, Stumpy seems quite happy about being carried into the cafe.

As promised, Aranya has already arrived, made the coffee, and is starting on the day’s selections. I still haven’t figured out how we’ll track down Mr. Munoz to question him, but I’m hoping the answer will fall into my lap as it often does around here.

I’m shocked to find a few customers outside waiting for us to open at 6:30. I know our food is incredible, but I’m not sure that even I would wait in the snow for it. Gladys bustles in the door with the rest of them, but is horrified to learn that Damien is out for the day.

“But, but, who is making my burrito?” she sputters.

“Oh, no worries, Aranya has it covered,” I reassure her as I point to Aranya through the window, and she waves back cheerfully.

“Are you sure she knows what she’s doing?” Gladys asks in a stage whisper.

“Yes!” I respond in the same whisper. “She’s very good, I promise.”

“Hmmm. Okay.” Gladys says, looking between the two of us like she doesn’t believe a word I’m saying.

Aranya, knowing that Gladys likes her burrito just so and at just the right time, hurries out with it. Damien left explicit instructions on how Gladys’ vegan burrito must be prepared and delivered within seconds of her coming in.

“Damien isn’t sick, is he? Poor thing. Does he need some soup delivered? Does that husband of his even know how to cook? Damien shouldn’t have to cook when he’s ill.”

“I swear to you, Damien isn’t sick.”

“Well then, where is he?”

I don’t want to tell her why he’s out today, without his permission. Especially since we don’t know for sure if they’ll get approved for fostering, even though I can’t imagine they’ll be turned down.

“You know what, Gladys? I can’t tell you why Damien is out today. Not yet anyway. It’s a personal matter.”

“Hmmm,” Gladys is still looking at me suspiciously. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it, for now. But you’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I swear I would tell you if something was wrong with Damien.”

With that, Gladys digs into her burrito. Hopefully, I won’t have to hold her off for very long. Given her penchant for sniffing out gossip, I suspect she may figure out what’s going on before long.

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