By Bif Stew

Maddie Sawyer is running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  Her beautiful blonde mane swings back and forth.  Sometimes colliding in her right eye.

Her eyes dart about the room.  Her left hand clinches and unclenches.  She paces in the kitchen like a caged cat.

The phone rings.  Maddie jumps to pick up the phone.  “Hello?... It’s starting to come together… I’ve already made the salad, I got the appetizers chilling in the fridge… What’s the main course?  Good question.”  Just then the door bell rings.  “Honey, I’ll call you back… Somebody’s at the door.”

Maddie goes to the front door and opens it. Standing there is a forty-something man.  Semi-balding, mid-life tire around his middle.  His face is round and pleasant.  He has a big, warm smile plastered on his face.  “My name is Earl Carey.  I wonder if I might have a moment of your time?”

Maddie smiles a sinister smile.  “Of course, you can.  Care for a glass of lemonade?”

That night, Maddie is sittng at the head of the dinner table.  She smiles contentedly to her four guests.  The dark haired woman sitting to her left is wiping her mouth with a napkin when she says, “Delightful meal, Maddie.”

Maddie’s head drops in recognition.  “Glad you enjoyed yourself.”

“I really was taken with the beef dish, what do you call it?” the dark haired woman queried.

Maddie sips her drink.  Puts it down.  Smiles.  “It’s called Carey con Carne.” She picks up a small piece of meat and slips it into her mouth.  She looks over her guests and states, “There’s plenty, so eat up!”