Brighter Than a Thousand Suns

William looked like he was about to faint.

“It’s you!” he said. Lily raised an eyebrow at him.

“William, is that you?” she asked. His nieces started at him as he tried to back away as he shook his head.

“Uh-uh,” he said. “No way! Nope! No way! No! No!” The other old biddies shook their heads.

“What are you talking about, William?” Muriel asked. The man looked like he was going to scream.

“No! Why did you say that?!” he asked. The former teacher stood up.

“I knew it was you!” she said. William hung his head in shame. Meanwhile, Crusher turned to his aunt.

“What’s with him?” he asked. Annie shushed him as she held up her hand. She could take her eyes off of these patrons. The old biddies weren’t her favorite people but still…

“Uncle, what’s wrong?” Clover asked. William started to look dead inside.

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“How do you know each other?” Liz asked.

“Our school days,” Lily said. “William was always getting into trouble with the teachers. The old man frowned as he tried to look anywhere but at her. The old biddies were either looking uncomfortable for him or trying not to laugh.

“Good times!” Clyde shouted. Lily stuck up her nose when she said that.

“Do you have to be so loud?” she asked. The dirty old biddy grinned at her. The teacher turned her head away.

“Please don’t grin,” she said. “Your teeth give me nightmares.” Clyde frowned as she stuck up the V-sign. She clicked her tongue for good measure. Lily gave her the stink eye.

“Were you two ever dating?” Clover asked.

“No!” William and Lily were quick to say. Lewis threw back her hand and laughed.

“Them? An item?” she asked. “You’d sooner see me in a dress than them being together.”

“You didn’t have to say all of that,” Muriel said.

“What?” Lewis said, shrugging. The next question just had to go and make things even more uncomfortable.

“Would you like to date?” Clover asked. Everyone got quiet.

“No!” Lily and William were quick to say. The younger niece held up her hands.

“Okay, okay,” she said. Liz put her hand on her shoulder. Annie walked over to William and his nieces’ table.

“What can I get you today?” she asked. Everyone could breathe from the discomfort.

“Three teas,” William said. Annie walked back to the counter. The man leaned back and rubbed his forehead. He looked and saw his nieces staring at him. Oh…

The old biddies looked at each other.

“Why did you do that to him?” Muriel asked.

“What?” Lily asked. The other old biddies sighed and shook their heads. Clyde smiled as she laughed to herself. Crusher went around and served everyone their tea without saying a word.

End