A Man's Appetite Read Online Free PDF Page B

Junior in tow. Joey’s Big Wheel was packed as usual. For some years, Joey’s Big Wheel has been the hot spot for children’s birthdays. With limited places for kids to play and celebrate birthdays, it was easy for Joey’s to become a staple for children. Outside was the logo of a toddler, wearing the trademark jean overalls and red ball cap while pushing a huge wheel. When they entered, kids were frantically running around with no concern for who was around them. Along with the wild jungle atmosphere, there was a mixture of kids crying and yelling. As they approached Junior’s designated table, Michael noticed a few toddlers from their old neighborhood with their parents, along with Diane and her family, Rhonda, Stephanie, and Angie.
     
                  “Wow. Hi, everybody”, said Michael.
     
                                “Hi”, they all said at once.
     
                  “You ladies must be making this a weekend thing?”
     
                                “Something like that”, replied Diane.
     
    “Michael, honey you’re asking too many questions. Set those gifts down and check on the pizzas…. Hello, everyone.”
     
    Once Michael walked away, Marla went around hugging everyone attending Junior’s party. Junior had already disappeared to play with the other kids. Marla eventually made it over to Diane to have a seat. Angie, who was sitting across from Marla and Diane, leaned forward.
     
                  “So, what’s going on”, whispered Angie.
     
    “A little too much”, said Marla.
     
    “Ok, crew. About 5 more minutes and the pizzas will be ready”, said Michael as he walked toward the party.
     
                                              “So, you haven’t told them”, asked Diane.
     
    “No. That’s why we’re all here.”
     
                                              “Well, we need to sit somewhere else.”
     
    Marla scanned the room and noticed a table, two tables behind them, which was vacant.
     
    “Let’s go to the table, right there.”
     
    All the women rose up from the table and walked over to the vacant table, close by.
     
                  “What’s wrong”, asked Stanley.
     
                                “Just girl talk”, replied Diane.
     
    Michael leaned over to Stanley.
     
    “Man, those women have been acting funny, ever since this morning.”
     
                  “Well, you know women.”
     
    “Yeah, they told me it was that time of the month. But, it seems like that time comes around every week.”
     
                  “Who you telling?”
     
    They both burst out in laughter. The ladies look back at Michael and Stanley as they sit down at the vacant table.
     
                  “Girl, I just don’t know”, said Diane.
     
    “Just make sure all your senses are alert”, responded Marla.
     
                                “Hold on a second. What’s going on”, asked Stephanie.
     
    “Well, I don’t know if you and Angie remember what we saw when we entered the family room.”
     
                                              “What did Jimmy do this time”, asked Rhonda.
     
    “Well, I’m not saying its Jimmy.”
     
                  “Actually, we don’t know who it is.”
     
                                              “Somebody spilt something”, asked Angie.
     
    “No… My housekeeper was going through the family room, cleaning…. Next thing I know, she hands me a folded note that was in the couch.”
     
    Diane started digging in her purse.
     
    “I open the note and it says something about call me later love.”
     
    Diane found the crumbled paper and handed it to Stephanie.