Invasion

Having already found most of the things on the shopping list already, Jonathan rewarded himself by loading up with Coke and then strolling up the aisle with all the potato chips. He selected a few of his favorite types and was nearing the meat department when his cart practically ran into Candee's.

"My God, Candee!" Jonathan blurted. "Where have you been? I've called twenty times."

"Jonathan," Candee said happily. "I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you."

"You have?" Jonathan asked. He couldn't help notice how fantastic Candee looked. She was wearing a miniskirt over a tank top body suit. Every curve of her tight, lithe body was there to see and appreciate.

"Oh yes," Candee said. "I've been thinking about you lots."

"How come you haven't been at school?" Jonathan asked. "I looked for you."

"I've been looking for you as well," Candee said.

Jonathan managed to coax his eyes to travel northward to Candee's elfin face. When he did he noticed her smile. There was something abnormal about it even though he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

"I wanted to tell you that I was wrong about my parents," Candee said. "Totally wrong."

Before Jonathan could respond to this shocking reversal, both of Candee's parents rounded the end of the aisle and came up behind Candee. Her father, Stan, put his hands on Candee's shoulders and beamed.

"Now this is one cute chick, wouldn't you say?" Stan said proudly. "And as an added inducement, there's good, healthy genes in these ovaries."

Candee glanced up into her father's face and gave him an adoring look.

Jonathan averted his eyes. He thought he might puke. These people belonged in a zoo.

"We've missed you at the house," Candee's mother, Joy, said. "Why don't you come over tonight. Us adults will be having a get-together, but it doesn't mean you two youths can't spend some quality time together."

"Yes, well, that sounds great," Jonathan said. He felt a mild degree of panic since Joy had moved to his side, hemming him in against the shelving. Candee and Stan were blocking his way forward.

"Can we count on you?" Joy asked.

Jonathan let his eyes streak past Candee's face. She was still smiling that same smile, and Jonathan realized what it was that was abnormal about it. It was fake. It was the kind of smile people made when they tell themselves to smile. It wasn't a reflection of inner emotion.

"I got a lot of homework tonight," Jonathan said. He started to back up his shopping cart.

Joy gazed into Jonathan's cart. "You certainly are a busy little shopper. Are you having a meeting at your house as well? Perhaps we should all come over there."

"No, no," Jonathan said nervously. "Nobody's coming over. Nothing like that at all. I'm just picking up some TV munchies." Jonathan wondered if these people somehow knew about their little group.

Another glance at their fake smiles gave Jonathan a shiver of fear and propelled him to "make tracks." Abruptly he yanked his cart backward, turned it around, yelled that he had to be going, and rapidly headed toward the check-out lanes. As he walked he could feel the Taylor family's eyes on his back.

"This is the street," Pitt said. He was directing Nancy to his cousin's apartment where they'd all agreed to meet once again. Sheila was in the backseat of the minivan clutching a sheaf of papers.

It was already dark and the streetlamps were lit. As they approached the proper garden apartment complex, Nancy slowed.

"Seems to be a lot of people out tonight," Nancy said.

"You're right," Pitt said. "Looks like noontime in the city center rather than evening in the suburbs."

"I can understand the ones with dogs," Sheila said. "But what are these other people doing? Are they just walking aimlessly?"

"It's weird," Pitt admitted. "No one seems to be talking to anyone, yet they are all smiling."

"So they are," Sheila said.

"What should I do?" Nancy asked. They were almost to their destination.

"Drive around the block," Sheila suggested. "Let's see if they notice us."

Nancy took the suggestion. As they came back to where they'd started, none of the many pedestrians appeared to look in their direction.

"Let's go in," Sheila said.

Nancy parked. They all alighted quickly. Pitt let the women go ahead. By the time he got to the common entry door, the women were already heading up the interior stairway. Pitt looked back out to the street. He'd had the distinct feeling as he'd come up the path that he was being watched, but as he scanned the area, none of the people were looking in his direction.

Cassy opened the door in response to Pitt's knock. Pitt's face brightened. He was relieved to see her. "How'd the trip go?" he asked.

"Not so good," Cassy admitted.

"Did you see Beau?"

"Yes, I saw him," Cassy said. "But I'd rather not talk about it now."

"Okay," Pitt said supportively. He was concerned. He could tell Cassy was truly troubled. He followed her into the living room.