The Cats that Surfed the Web Read Online Free PDF

aunt’s crypt?”
    “Yes, by all means. The mausoleum is about thirty miles from here.”
    “Thanks,” she smiled. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but my great aunt was my mother’s only aunt on the maternal side,” Katherine offered. “My mother passed away from cancer in 2009, and my father died a year later.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that you’ve lost both your parents.”
    She hesitated for a moment. “You mentioned that your parents own a farm.”
    “Oh, yes, but my dad wants to retire soon. Mom is a teacher at the elementary school. She’s eager to retire, also. I’ve got a sister in California, and a brother who lives in Minnesota. My grandmother lives in a retirement community close to Erie; she’s ninety-years-old.”
    “That's nice,” she smiled.
    They continued talking throughout the trip. Katherine thought he was very easy to talk to, and fun to be with. She was having such a good time, she hadn’t even noticed that an hour and a half had passed until she saw the sign: Erie Town Limits.
    “This is Erie,” Mark said, slowing down.
    “I wish it were light outside,” she complained. “I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to really get a good look at things.”
    Mark began pointing out key businesses. “Over there is the funeral home. There’s the ice cream stand.”
    “Granny Sleeps Here,” Katherine chuckled, reading the marquee. “I hope the ice cream is better than the name. Look’s boarded-up to me. Granny must be asleep?”
    “It’s seasonal. There’s the video store. There’s one of the local restaurants. We’re getting very close to Orvenia’s house.”
    “Is it on this street? Which side?” she asked anxiously.
    “It’s several blocks down on Lincoln Street.”
    “Can you drive by the house before we go to dinner? I’m dying to see it.”
    “Better yet,” he said. “Behind the grain elevator there’s a service alley that leads to Lincoln Street. This alley provides the best vantage point for viewing the front of the house. However, it’s so dark outside, I’m not quite sure you’ll be able to truly see the house,” he said. He turned the car, drove a short distance, then stopped in front of a large Victorian house. “There she is,” he announced. “Vicky is the most exquisite house in Erie.”
    Katherine was momentarily speechless. The house seemed larger than she’d imagined. “This is the house,” she finally said. “I’ve never seen a house so big. I am to live here? I’d get lost.”
    Mark pulled out onto the street. “You’ll get to see the inside tomorrow,” he said, pulling back onto the main highway. “Most of the houses on this street are in the historic district. It's one of the few remaining tree-lined streets. Most of the trees are maples, and at least a hundred years old. During the fall, many locals and out-of-towners walk down Lincoln Street, snapping photos of the autumn leaves. There’s a walking guide that’s printed by the State Division of Tourism. Oh, yes, there’s a park nearby, with walking and hiking trails. Near the parking lot, there’s a gazebo that was built in the 1890s. In the summer, visiting bands come and perform on Saturday evenings.”
    “I'm fascinated,” she said. “What about crime here?”
    Mark laughed. “Our last murder was eleven years ago, and theft or burglary are virtually non-existent. Driving while intoxicated is a problem, which doesn't surprise me because there are more bars in Erie than there are churches.”
    “I never thought of comparing the two,” she said.
    “Suffice it to say, there are seven taverns for four thousand people,” he said almost apologetically. “Here we are.” He parked outside the restaurant and got out of the car.
    Katherine waited for him to open her door.
    “Welcome to downtown Erie,” he said, helping her out of the car. “The restaurant is in a hotel that was built in 1888.”
    She gazed up at its blue and lavender-painted corbels.
    “Let’s go inside.