Seventh Star

Lily had plans. The old biddies aren’t enjoying any of it.

“How are we supposed to get out of this?” Muriel whispered. Lewis shook her head. Clyde looked like a confused dog. Lily clapped her hands together.

“Okay, everyone!” she said. “It’s time for us to get started!” The other three old biddies groaned as they rolled their eyes.

“What?” the former teacher asked.

“Why are we here?” Lewis asked. She let her head drop backward. Why did they all have to be up so early? This was summer. They were too old for this crap. Lily rolled her eyes.

“Come on!” she said. “We have to give back to the community.”

“Where have I heard that one before?” Lewis asked.

“I’m hongry!” Clyde complained. Lily wrinkled her nose.

“You just ate,” she said.

“But I’m still hongry!” the dirty old biddy shouted. “Hongry! Hongry! Hongry!” Lily walked over and smacked her in the head.

“Ow!” Clyde complained.

“Please stop acting so childish,” the former teacher said.

“I am a bit peckish,” Muriel said. Lewis nodded in agreement. Lily frowned as she shook her head.

“Fine,” she said. “We’ll get something quick to eat.”

“Yay!” her friends cheered. Their new leader rolled her eyes. They were really going to need some work.

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It’s another day at the Sunny Plum. (When is it not?) There’s still no luck with new hires. Annie did have a little help. But that was not saying a lot. Karen was holding a tray, trying to see where she was going. Annie rubbed her forehead. This was clearly a bad idea. But Karen wouldn’t hear otherwise. She was determined to help out. The café owner couldn’t help but wonder…

“Is your son in town again?” she asked. Karen turned her head as she walked further away from the counter.

“No,” she said. “Why do you ask?” Annie waved her off.

“Never mind,” she said. “Just forget it.” Karen cocked her head to the side. Suddenly, the bell above the door rang. Annie looked up and her stomach dropped. Why did it have to be them again? Clyde jumped up, waving.

“Hongry! Hongry! Hongry!” she kept yelling. Lily smacked her in the back of the head again.

“Ow!” the dirty biddy yelped.

“Don’t be so loud,” Lily hissed. Clyde turned to her, glaring. Annie frowned at all four of them. She resisted the urge to ask what they were doing here.

“What can I get you today?” she asked instead.

“Food!” Clyde shouted. Lily smacked her in the head.

“Something small,” the former teacher said with a forced smile on her face. Annie rolled her eyes.

“Hi Karen,” Muriel said, waving.

“Hey, Muriel!” the far-sighted waitress said. Lewis, Clyde, and Lily turned and waved at her. They all took their seats. Lily and the old biddies had their own thoughts. She was planning to whip them into shape while they were planning their escape. The question was who was going to win out. There was only one way to see. But for now…

“Hongry! Hongry!” Clyde shouted. Lily smacked her again. Muriel and Lewis sat giggling.

“Ow,” the dirty old biddy whimpered.

“Stop,” Lily hissed under her breath. Clyde clicked her tongue as she stuck up the reverse V-sign at her. The former teacher pretended not to see her.

End