Elly smiled at Keith as she chewed on her sandwich. They were still in the studio, hunkered down in the rose petals and enjoying a Keith’s Deli signature sandwich—roast beef, herb butter, and marinated mushroom on pumpernickel bread. “Hmmm,” Elly wiped her mouth with a rose petal, “you could win the sandwich Olympics.”
Keith wiped a bit of mustard off her cheek. “I would argue with you, but I have to admit … it’s true. I am the sandwich master.”
Elly bit her lips, which were feeling a bit sore. “That was quite the kiss.”
Keith grinned and a blush rose up to his ears. “I would have kissed you more, but …,” he gestured to the front of the store, “windows.”
Elly took a sip of chocolate milk. “I know I should be thinking about how I bombed that interview, but … I’m not.”
“What are you thinking about?” teased Keith.
“About the rose petal I’m pretty sure is in my ear.” Elly turned her head to the side.
Keith stood up and dusted off his pants. “As much as I would love to stay here with you all day, I should go close up the deli. Can I call you later?” Elly nodded and Keith gave her a lingering kiss. “You’re miraculous, Elly, don’t ever forget it. If you could ever see what I see—”
Elly finished his sentence, “I would kill myself.” Keith rolled his eyes and left the shop. After she finished her sandwich, Elly began sweeping up the rose petals, one dustpan full at a time.
Sure, she had bombed the interview, but it was okay. There would be new opportunities, and all she could think about was tumbling down with Keith into the petals and the way he had clutched at her so desperately. Her skin had responded to his touch like electricity. She was almost finished sweeping up the petals when dusk set in, and she took a minute to admire the radiant sunset disappearing through her windows. Soft orange and mauve light poured through, and underneath its lavish hue, the few remaining petals on the ground became hazy with a pink glow. Elly leaned against the broom and offered up a quick prayer of thanks for her life, her store, and her sanity that had so quickly been restored by Keith’s soft lips. She grabbed a gingham rag and began humming “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” as she wiped off the consultation table in long, circular strokes.
After that, it all happened in slow motion.
She heard the bells clank on the front door and looked up with a dazzling smile, hoping that Keith would replay his tackle from earlier. Suddenly, she was frozen. Her heart thudded violently in her chest, but her body, her body and her mind were cement, unable to move, unable to process. She was rooted to the floor, adrenaline coursing madly through her veins but unable to move.
He was here. She couldn’t breathe.
The kid that had so unnerved her was now staring down at her from the doorway, trembling with madness. His eyes darted frantically back and forth and he wrung his hands frantically. A thick tongue emerged nervously out from his mouth and licked his lips quickly. He cleared his throat and looked at Elly. “You have my backpack.” There was a pause. “I know you.” Then he moved toward her with a terrifying menace.