ANXIETY’S ICY GRIP seized Ruth’s heart as she gazed across the blanket of snow bundling her sister’s backyard. All she could do to ease the angst was pet Loki’s husky head as it perched restfully across her thigh.
The kitchen lights flickered on, and Ruth jumped. Loki scrambled up on all fours, making scratching noises against the vinyl. It was only her nephew Sean, but he jumped, too, when he saw her sitting on the floor.
“What the s**t?” He ran a hand down his vampire face. “Sorry Auntie Ruth. I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
Ruth gazed at the deep purple bags under his eyes, his hair sticking up in every direction, and she smiled. “Have you ever been to the big Halloween party on Church Street?”
“Oh, sure.” He wandered to the fridge, opening the door and staring inside. “E
