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At the bar she ordered herself something called a Cosmopolitan and then looked at me and told the bartender to make it two.

"You'll like it. It sort of sneaks up on you. I hate those overpowering drinks. Don't look so nervous," she told me.

"I can't help it. I've never sat at a bar before."

"You really are so much of a virgin," she remarked, as if she hadn't believed the things I had told her about myself. "I think the first time I sat at a bar I was four-teen. It was at a dump, of course, but we were all very excited and drank some cheap gin that made us all sick. But it was fun," she added.

How could that be fun? I wondered.

The bar wasn't crowded, but two men at the far corner had been watching us from the moment we entered. Ami saw that, too, and to my surprise, she smiled at them. It was like putting up a welcome sign. They were off their stools and around the bar instantly. Neither was very good-looking, I thought. One looked like he cut his dirty blond hair himself. It was stringy and uneven. Although both wore sport jackets, they looked like they'd slept on them first.

"Hi," the taller one with dark brown hair said. "You guys just arrive?"

"Do we look like guys?" Ann immediately teased. The other one laughed through his nose and elbowed his friend.

"Hardly," he said.

The bartender brought our drinks.

"Fancy drink," the shorter man said.

"Yes, but we're used to fancy things," And told him. She sipped her drink and kept her eyes on him. I could see how it excited him. "We did just arrive," And continued. "We're on our way to Grandma's house. I hope you're not wolves. Remember Little Red Riding Hood?"

They laughed.

"Naw. We're more like tigers," the taller man said. "What's your names?"

"I'm Laurie, and this is my sister Virginia. I take it you two are local fellas."

"Oh, no. We're passing through ourselves." "And where are you heading?" And asked.

I kept my eyes down and fingered the glass containing the Cosmopolitan.

"Paterson, New Jersey. We got new jobs in a auto parts factory there."

"Oh, how exciting," Ami said. She looked at me and winked. "I just love hearing about auto parts, don't you, Virginia?"

I didn't say anything.

"Care to dance?" the taller man asked And.

She looked at the piano player, who was watching us as he played without singing.

"A little too slow for me," And said.

"Oh, you're the fast type, huh?"

"I'm not a type," Ami said. "I'm indescribable," she added.

Both men laughed.

"Can we buy you another drink?" the shorter one said.

"We haven't finished this one yet."

"After that," he said, nodding.

"We only have one drink a night," Ami said.


Tags: V.C. Andrews Gemini Horror