Page 4 of The King of Halloween
“How…” Raj’s breath stuttered, and he wafted a hand near his face. “How much?”
Time to rip off that Band-Aid.“Seven hundred and fifty. But, since it’s so early in the season, I’ll take twenty-five off.”
“Seven hundred and twenty-five…” He said it like everyone did when they heard the cost for a one-of-a-kind, never-before-seen masks. These were designed to last a lifetime, and came with the price for it too.
“I understand,” Adam said as Raj tried to worm his way out of the mask. “It’s quite an investment, but these are—”
“I’ll take it,” he cried out, twisting Adam’s tongue into a knot.
“Beg pardon?”
“Oh, and that tiger one. The white one. How much is that?”
“The furred ones are eight hundred. I’m sorry, you want two masks?” Adam stuttered, fairly certain the world was ending.
“Yes. And if you have a bald cap.”
He’s hot, he’s sweet, and he’s loaded.
And he is one hundred percent straight. Probably got a wife and three kids at home, white picket fence, golden retriever.
Well, I may not get laid, but at least I’ll get paid.
“Right away.” Adam rushed back. With care, he took down the tiger mask—a gorgeous one that wasn’t lifelike. Instead, it mimicked a woodcut image of a tiger with thick lines around the edges. When he’d unboxed it, he’d thought that one was destined for the fire. After placing the mask in a special case and tying up the ribbon for carrying, he took the chameleon one.
For a beat, he turned it around in his hands. “I’m almost sad to see it go.”
“Oh…?”
“But am glad that it’s found such a wonderful home.” He boxed that one up, too. “Every purchase comes with a styrofoam display head, a spray to maintain the mask, and a card from the artist explaining their inspiration.” As he slipped the card in place, he gazed at Raj, wishing he could add his number into the box. “I’ll include a bald cap and hair nets free of charge. Come this way.”
With all the grace of a king guiding visiting royalty through his kingdom, Adam led Raj to the counter. Chrissy looked up for a second as he shoved her aside. “What are you…?”
“The good man is buying two masks. I don’t see a reason for him to wait.”
“Whatever.” She walked away, her hands up.
Okay.Adam paused before the register as Raj stepped in front of the counter and smiled.What am I…? Oh, right. Numbers. I can do numbers.They’re an eight and a seven. Just keep pressing them.
As Adam struggled through basic math, Raj peered around the room. The masks may not induce sweating, but Adam felt like a puddle as he tried to remember how to include sales tax. There was a button…
“Is that you?”
“Hmm?”
Raj pointed behind Adam toward the wall. As he swiveled his head, Adam realized what was back there the same second he remembered how to do his job. “Oh. Those old things.” He shrugged a shoulder at the four framed newspaper clippings.
“What’s a King of Halloween?” Raj asked.
“Just something Anoka does. The whole town gets together and votes on who’s the…well, king of Halloween. I’ve had the honor of holding that title for four years in a row.”
“Wow,” Raj said.Is he impressed?Adam caught movement just as Chrissy finished her perfunctory eye roll.
“Fingers crossed I’ll pull off number five. No one’s ever gotten it five years in a row.”
“‘Cause it’s only been a thing for twelve,” Chrissy whispered.
Adam glared at her before he glanced at the total just as Raj handed over his credit card. Even Chrissy paused in her passive-aggressive restocking to watch the numbers going through. As Adam returned the card, he asked, “Will you be going to the parade this afternoon?”
