Riding the Thunder - Deborah MacGillivray [107]
Asha entered the glasshouse, then pulled up when she saw the three of them. Steepling her hands before her mouth, she tried to contain her laughter . . . and failed. “I feel like I’m watching an old episode of ‘What’s My Line’ on the Game Show Channel. ‘Will the real Dracula please stand up?’”
Jago grinned and raised his arms to flourish his cape. “I tried to buy a giant leech costume, but they didn’t have one. I bought the next best bloodsucker.”
“And What’s His Name, too?” she patted the vampire kitty on the head.
“I thought about a bunny costume. They had a pink one for kitties, just like Ralphie in The Christmas Story, but figured he’d think it beneath his dignity.” Jago lifted a strand of her black wig, toying with it, just needing to touch her.
“I didn’t know fur-covered hogs had dignity.” Colin sniggered. Then suddenly his eyes grew wide. “Oo . . . oo . . . it’s Bobby!”
Jago chuckled seeing the guest of honor coming around the pool with Derek—both in Dracula capes. “It’s an epidemic!”
“There’s a distinct lack of originality around this place, Asha. We need a five Drac limit on this party. Any more show up flapping a cape, I say we chuck them out on their keister.” Excited, Colin rushed over to snap pictures of his idol Bobby Pickett.
“Too late!” Jago raised his glass in salute as Liam, in the Count’s full regalia, escorted another Morticia Addams in through the glass door.
“Well, this is a fine how-do-you-do.” Asha and her ‘spider feet’ wiggled over to face Netta who was equally lovely in the black wig. The two stared at each other, and then slowly circled to examine the other closely, their two sets of fake spider feet bouncing as they turned 360-degrees. Almost as if in mirror, both women raised their arms, glowered at each other and then in complete unison did the Addam’s finger snap.
Everyone broke into a riot of laughter, including the two women.
Winnie came out of the clubhouse in an Elvira getup. She paused, then blinked at seeing the two Morticias and the six Draculas.“Gee, I haven’t even had a drink yet,” she said.
“OO . . . oo . . . it! Wow!” Colin nudged Jago in the ribs again, referring to Winnie’s black dress, cut lower than the Morticias. “Bet you wish Asha came in that costume.” He ran over and clicked at Winnie in her sexy outfit, moving in closer until he was obviously snapping chest shots.
Liam pointed out with a bemused smile, “It seems the party should’ve been ‘Ladies in black and Vamps only theme.’ Halloween Express must have sold every Drac and Morticia costume they had.”
“Bite your tongue,” Netta chided. “I’ll have you know I made my costume from scratch.”
Asha sniffed envy. “No wonder yours fits so well.”
“Thanks, I sew all my clothes.” Netta shrugged shyly.
Jago was impressed; the quality of her costume vastly outshone Asha’s bought version. “You have a true talent, Netta. Ever thought about turning your skills into running a boutique? You could do a very exclusive, upscale store in one of the Lexington malls.”
For a moment, Netta’s blue eyes shone with possibilities, then she clamped down on the dream. “Costs money. But I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Gather round, kiddies,” Colin called over the music and chatter of the guests. “Time for Bobby to do The Mash. Don’t forget to get a copy of his autobiography, Monster Mash, Half-Dead in Hollywood or his CD. After he performs, he’ll autograph them for everyone.”
“What about ‘The Purple People Eater’?” Delbert asked, picking up What’s His Name.
Jago swirled one side of his cape around him and quipped, “Purple-people-eater? More to the point, I vant to know vhat ever happened to my Transylvania Tvist?”
Bobby Pickett joined the laughter, then shook his finger. “Hey, bud, that’s my shtick. You and the cat butt out. I work alone.”
The night passed too quickly, Asha thought. The bash was a big success, drawing a huge crowd, with Bobby Pickett proving as popular as ever. It was a crowning moment—though it was