The Sky’s Gone Out

Today, the old biddies were at the creek. Aisha turned her head.

“We should do something amazing today,” she said. Her friends looked up at her.

“No!” they were quick to say.

“Why?” the leader asked. Lewis frowned.

“We won’t like it!” she said.

“But I haven’t even said anything yet,” Aisha said. Muriel groaned and flopped backwards.

“We already know we hate it!” she wailed. The leader frowned.

“Look at us!” she said. “We are wasting away! This isn’t us! Wake up, people!”

“~Apathy birthday to you!~” her friends sang. Aisha folded her arms across her chest and frowned. This would not do. She stomped her foot on the ground.

“Get up!” she shouted. Her friends eyed her, frowning back. Aisha glared at them. She was not going to give in this time. They were going to be better today. This time, Aisha had an ace up her sleeve.

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Michael walked up to the Sunny Plum with Liz at his side. Annie and Tucker looked up and froze. So this was him. He looked so pale with his black leather and spiky hair. The young couple approached the counter.

“Good morning!” Liz said in a cheerful tone. Annie wrinkled her nose but fought to hold her tongue.

“What can we get for you today?” Tucker was quick to ask. Michael put up his hand.

“No, I’m looking for a job,” he said. “Do you know of any good places around town? Are you hiring?” Annie and Tucker looked at each for a moment.

“Uh… what are you looking for?” Annie asked. She clinched her teeth as she fought back what she really wanted to say. Tucker had his eyes locked her. Michael took a moment to think.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I am good with my hands. And I want something part time. We aren’t staying too long in town.”

“What do you mean?” Annie asked. Michael shrugged.

“Not my cup of tea,” he said.

“Come on, babe,” Liz said. “It can’t be too bad.” Michael turned and kissed her on the forehead.

“Sorry, Babe,” he said. “I like the city more.” Liz, Annie, and Tucker stood in awkward silence for a moment.

“I guess I could find you something,” Tucker said. His wife whipped her head around.

“Cheers, mate,” Michael said. Annie hit her husband on the arm.

“What?” he asked. His wife said nothing. The younger couple didn’t seem to notice.

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Aisha was serious on her mission today. She put her hands on her hips.

“We all need motivation!” the leader said. Aisha paused for a moment. Her friends didn’t even look up. I don’t want to do this. Aisha took a deep breath.

“I will pay for lunch today!” she shouted. Clyde, Muriel, and Lewis jerked their heads upwards.

“You serious?” Clyde asked. Aisha sighed and threw back her head.

“Yes!” she said. The leader looked and saw her friends grinning at her. Was this really what it was going to take? But here they were. Her friends all stood up. Aisha tried not to look at Clyde’s teeth.

“What are we doin’ today?” the dirty old biddy asked. Aisha puffed up her cheeks as she went down the list in head.

“We have to stop by the library first,” she said. “And then…”