Page 34 of Save the Drama for your Mama
“Really? How did you choose that university for her?” I asked.
“It was easy. I like ducks,” Cooper said.
“The mind is a mysterious thing,” I said, smiling.
“So, you got your master’s degree and then what?” he asked.
“I came back to San Diego and bounced around, working at a few museums, and on restoration projects before I started my business. And the rest is history, pun intended.”
A loud creaking sound came from upstairs.
We both froze, then looked at each other.
Romeo took off running out of the kitchen, barking.
“Uh . . . what was that?” I whispered.
Cooper stood and glanced up at the ceiling. “I don't know, but it sounded like it came from the attic.”
“Okay, I know I was joking before, but are you sure you don’t have a ghost?” I asked as a chill ran the length of my spine.
He opened his mouth to answer and—
Another creak sounded from above us, this one even louder.
Romeo continued to bark from the other side of the house.
I raised my eyebrows at Cooper. “That was weird. What do you think it was?”
He glanced up again. “No idea. Maybe a rat got into the attic or something?”
I laughed. “That would have to be the world’s largest rat.” I stood up and headed for the stairs.
“Hey, where are you going?” Cooper asked.
“To investigate, of course!” I said.
“Wait for me,” he said, jumping up and trailing behind me.
At the attic door, we both paused and listened for a sign of something, anything. It was silent now, the only noise coming from Romeo sniffing around near the small gap underneath the door.
“What are you waiting for? Are you scared?” I whispered. “Unlock it.”
“You’re pushy.”
“I prefer the term focused. And you’re slow,” I said. “Come on—just open the door and step inside.”
Cooper turned to me. “This is how most people die in scary movies, you know. Is that why you want me to go first? You want Chucky to remove my head and have it for dinner?”
“It’s late—I’m sure he has already eaten,” I said. “Besides, Chucky likes to stab, shoot, strangle, and mangle. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I feel so much better.” Cooper stepped forward, unlocked the door and turned the knob, pushing the door open a crack. We both craned our necks to peer inside the dark attic.
“I can’t see a thing,” I said, looking over his shoulder.
Cooper hesitated, then reached in and clicked on the light, cautiously stepping inside the attic. He froze as he stared at something I couldn’t yet see.
“What the fresh hell?” he said.
