eggbeater. He laughed maniacally.
“EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!” Bethany shrieked and started running in circles around the living room. Brendan took straight-legged zombie steps
into the room.
From the kitchen, Mrs. Daniels called, “Please
use your inside screaming voice, Bethany,” but it
didn’t seem to have any effect.
Ivy couldn’t help smiling as Brendan clomped
right up to her.
“Aren’t you afraid of the vampire hunter?” he
asked with bulging eyes.
Ivy shook her head. “Nope,” she said. “Why not?” the vampire hunter demanded. “’Cause I think he likes me,” Ivy replied coyly. I
am going to miss you so much, she thought. Brendan
touched her arm tenderly.
“You get away from Ivy!” screamed Bethany.
She charged and kicked Brendan hard in the leg. “Ouch!” Brendan cried.
Bethany leaped on his back. “You big mean
vampire hunter ugly man!” she shouted. Brendan winked at Ivy and gave a monstrous
roar. He and his sister collapsed to the living
room floor in a wrestling heap. Bethany was jumping up and down on his back, alternately giggling and shrieking, as he grunted and tried to claw at Ivy’s foot. Ivy kicked his hand away play
fully.
“You show him, Bethany!” she called. Suddenly Mr. Daniels burst through the front
door. “Eureka!” he cried, his Einstein-like mane
of gray hair pointing in all directions. “Let’s celebrate! I’ve had a major breakthrough!”
Brendan and Bethany both sat up.
Mrs. Daniels came rushing in from the kitchen
in an apron. “Marc! Please calm down,” she
admonished. “We have a guest.” She cast a meaningful glance toward Ivy, who was standing by the
couch.
Mr. Daniels focused his eyes on Ivy. “Ivy! It’s
Ivy!” He bounded over and hugged her enthusiastically.