Per usual Johnson’s Soul Food was having a hopping Friday night. Rain, sleet or snow, the restaurant was always busy on the weekends. That’s why they stayed open until midnight on the weekends.            Keyonna was busting her ass taking orders and serving food along with her sister, Laquisha. Their parents let them keep the tips, but they didn’t get paid hourly. Staying in the upstairs apartments was their base pay.            “Who in the name of hell is that?” Junbug, one of the regulars, slurred loudly.            Half the customers and the all the employees out front turned to look out the glass windows to see a black stretch limousine.         

            Trevor strode into the foyer with a purpose with Ray in toe. Bruce was crossing the foyer, going to the other side of the mansion. He had the vodka bottle from the limo in his right hand.            “Just the man I wanted to see,” Trevor said to his brother. “I need you to get William and . . . however many maids we got left and tell them to meet me in the study.”            “Why?” Bruce asked and glanced down at the bottle in Trevor’s hand.            “I need to talk them – now. You can stay for it or not. It’s your choice, but I want to see them immediately in the study.”            “All right,&rd

            Dinner at The Cozy Inn had been wonderful. Homemade rolls, fresh green beans, meatloaf, and apple pie for dessert. The company had been great too.  Everyone was very friendly. A young couple on their third honeymoon told everyone at the table they were from Seattle and had a podcast. The old couples in their sixties were enjoying their retirement by traveling. Three guys who were friends were in town for fishing. Last, but not least, there was a woman who was a doctor from Boston who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rebecca had said there were more guests on the property. Some guests elected to either cook their own meals if they were staying in a cabin or get meals in town.            After dinner, Sonny asked Joanna if she wanted to go out on the pier to watch the sunset. She said yes. Sonny grabbed two lawn chairs and a f

            After a pit stop at the store, they were finally off – for real. Bruce ruled the road tonight and God help whoever got in his way.            That’s right, Bruce, Trevor thought proudly. We’ll get there early at this rate.They crossed the bridge on a road marked US-1. They entered a town that was dark as shit and looked abandoned.“I know it’s late and this is a small town, but shouldn’t there be streetlights lit at least?” Christopher asked.“Maybe something happened,” Selena said.“Turn on the radio Christopher,” Trevor said.Christopher turned on the radio and hit the seek button. It stopped on a country station. Christopher hit the seek button again. It stopped on a weather station. He hit it for the third time. A man was talking. He

            Marty and his staff had cleaned up the far side of the dining room and cut off the lights on that side to save on gas in the generator. Lori and Danny had gone home a half hour ago. Suede, Stan, Sonny, and Joanna were the only customers left in the place. They had moved to a smaller table closer to the dance floor.            Sonny and Stan were sitting at the table watching Joanna and Suede dance. Suede held Joanna close, holding her hand in his. They were dancing to Islands in the Stream sang by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.            Suede was pretty light on his feet.  “So you’re going to Paris after a few weeks here. Will you be coming back this way after that?” he asked in her ear.