Grim Reaper 01 - Embrace the Grim Reaper

until their parents snagged them and pulled them, protesting, out of the building.
    Eric closed the door behind the last of the diners, sagging against it. “At least,” he said, picking up on their last conversation, “it was nice while it lasted.”
    Casey stooped to pick up a ragged piece of pepperoni, flattened to the floor. “You gave them a respite. You always do. It’s important.”
    He didn’t look at her, but shoved himself from the door, calling toward the kitchen. “Loretta! Is there enough left for supper tomorrow?”
    “ Praise God , there’s plenty!” Her face, shiny with perspiration, appeared in the opening to the kitchen. “There’s even enough for us each to have a couple of pieces tonight. Hallelujah! ”
    Eric waved her off. “I don’t need any.”
    Loretta gasped, a hand to her chest. “I believe you do, young man, thank you, Jesus! You will sit down and eat the pizza our good Lord has provided for you. Amen! ”
    When Eric seemed ready to argue, Casey sat down across the table. “You’re no good to anybody if you faint from hunger.”
    “But this pizza is for—”
    “It’s ready now, and she said there’s enough for tomorrow.” She tipped her head toward the front door. “They aren’t hungry now.”
    Eric looked at the ceiling, took a breath, and let it out. “Fine. But I’m not going to enjoy it.”
    Casey blurted out a laugh, and though he fought it, Eric had to smile.
    “Eric got us pizza!” Johnny bustled out from the kitchen and shoved Eric into his seat. “Pizza and the nice lady!” He beamed at Casey before dropping onto a folding chair.
    Loretta brought out part of a Veggie Special, and the four of them made quick work of it, along with bowls of the wilted lettuce. Casey wouldn’t have said she actually enjoyed it, but it was pretty good.
    They cleaned up as much as they could before heading out for rehearsal, Eric quiet as they scrubbed tables and mopped the floor. Johnny and Loretta did their part in the kitchen, Loretta singing gospel songs, Johnny talking in streams about silverware, tomato sauce, and nice ladies, their dual monologues punctuated with the sounds of clanking dishes.
    Casey worked with Eric, filling trash bags and brushing crumbs from the table. The sounds from the kitchen served as a comforting background, and she wasn’t aware she was listening to the words until she heard Ellen’s name.
    “She was a nice lady, too,” Johnny said.
    “ Umm-hmmm, Praise God ,” Loretta sang, right in rhythm with her present melody.
    “But I didn’t like that man. He didn’t look at my silverware.”
    “ Praise Jesus .”
    “I’m glad he doesn’t come here anymore.”
    “ Thank the good Lord.”
    Casey jerked upward, listening, the trash bag held out in front of her. What man? She looked at Eric, but he either didn’t hear the conversation, or was pretending not to.
    “Why did he stop coming?” Johnny’s voice was high with question.
    “Don’t know, baby. Maybe Eric knows, thank you, Jesus .”
    Maybe Eric did know, but he wasn’t saying.
    “About that time,” Eric said suddenly, thrusting a last wad of soggy napkins into the bag. “I’m going to go wash up.”
    Casey tied the bag, watching Eric go. By the time he was ready, she was waiting at the door.
    “Drive or walk?” Eric said, still not looking directly at her.
    “Oh, walk, definitely.”
    So they set out. Casey had been hot when returning from the dojang , so she had forgotten to grab her jacket at The Nesting Place afterward. She wished now that she was wearing it, and hugged her arms to her stomach.
    “Cold?” Eric hesitated on the sidewalk.
    “I’ll be fine. We’ll be there in a minute.”
    They turned the corner, leaving Home Sweet Home behind.
    “So why doesn’t Leila work with you at Home Sweet Home?”
    Eric didn’t answer.
    “I mean, she obviously adores you. I’d think she’d want to help out with the soup kitchen, since it’s important to you.”
    He glanced over at her, obviously uncomfortable.
    “Sorry,” Casey said. “None of my business.”
    They walked in silence for a bit.
    “First of all,” Eric said, “Ellen worked there with me. That cramped Leila’s style.” He gave a little smile.
    “That makes sense.”
    “But most of all…it’s that her family eats there.”
    “Oh. But…”
    “I know. Leila drives the cute little car. Not exactly cheap. But she bought it with her own money. She’s not about to sell it now. Besides, I