The Coffin Club Read Free Page A

Aunt Libby‘s dinky bathroom, I imagined what my life would be like on my own if I‘d never met Alexander. Who would I grow up to become? Dullsville was way too dull for a girl like me. I‘d probably end up in Hipsterville in an apartment similar to my aunt‘s, only it would have dripping wax candelabras, black lace curtains, and a gargoyle headboard on my bed.
    But what would it mean if I couldn‘t share it with Alexander? Living on my own and working perhaps as a bartender at the Coffin Club night after night. I felt a pang of loneliness for my aunt—she had eaten, slept, lived by herself for as many years as I could remember. Instead of being dragged down by her independent lifestyle, Aunt Libby seemed to thrive on it. She serial dated and had a wide circle of friends from her theater community. Aunt Libby was gorgeous.
    Someone as hip and cool as she could get any man she wanted.
    I reapplied my chocolate eye shadow and liner and towel dried my damp hair. I smelled teriyaki sauce and found Aunt Libby—the one I‘d always known, wearing embroidered jeans and jeweled flip-flops, a halter top underneath a linen jacket—stir-frying in her wok.
    I sighed, relieved that my aunt had returned to her inner Deadhead.
    Aunt Libby served our healthy entrees. We sat down at her coffee table, on oversized mismatched fluffy pillows, surrounded by candles, incense, and a spicy Asian meal.
    ―I think I‘m getting married!‖ she suddenly announced. ―I‘ve been dying to tell you.‖
    ―You are?‖ I asked, surprised. ―Congrats! Dad didn‘t mention…‖
    ―Well, okay, it‘s not official or anything. In fact, we haven‘t officially gone out yet. I just met him last night.‖
    Aunt Libby‘s face flushed bright red. She grabbed a brown hobo purse that was sitting on her paisley futon and pulled out a rainbow-colored beaded wallet. She opened it and presented me with a Renegades paper napkin. It had a man‘s name and phone number written on it. ―He has beautiful handwriting, doesn‘t he?‖
    ―Devon. That‘s a cool name.‖
    ―I can‘t wait to tell you all about him.‖
    ―Tell me all!‖
    ―He has pool-colored eyes and salt-and-pepper hair.‖
    ―He sounds dreamy.‖
    ―I noticed him in the audience when I was onstage. I almost couldn‘t see him because he was just outside the glare of the spotlight. He has the most piercing blue eyes I‘ve ever seen. Our eyes locked and I forgot my lines. I stood there, frozen, for what seemed like hours. He had this hypnotic stare.‖
    I laughed. Aunt Libby was like a sixteen-year-old girl who had fallen in love.
    ―When the show was over, he was waiting for me. We had this intense connection I‘ve never felt before.‖
    ―I know exactly what you mean. That‘s how I feel about Alexander. That‘s why I had to come here….‖
    ―Come here?‖ she asked.
    ―Uh…yes, for girl time.‖
    ―I know what you mean. I‘m bursting at the seams to talk about him, but there‘s not much I know—besides how handsome he is!‖
    ―I‘m sure I‘ll be calling him Uncle Devon within a matter of days. Can I wear black to your wedding?‖
    ―I wouldn‘t want it any other way. We have a date in the next few days and you have to come.‖
    ―You are going out on your first date with him and you‘re going to show up with me?
    Your vampire-obsessed niece? Even I don‘t think that‘s a good idea.‖

    ―You have to come. I can‘t wait for you to see him…and I can‘t leave you here alone.‖
    ―Of course you can. But we can talk about it tomorrow.‖
    We had just placed the dishes in the sink when Aunt Libby noticed the time.
    ―I have a drumming class tonight. I was hoping you‘d join me.‖
    ―Well…I…‖
    ―I don‘t have to go.‖
    ―No, I don‘t want you to miss it on account of me.‖
    ―It‘s a master class tonight. Otherwise I wouldn‘t think about going.‖
    ―Please go. I‘ll be fine.‖ I wouldn‘t be able to run across town and try to make contact