The Rain: The End by Marietta Standlee (good summer reads TXT) 📕

longer, so much has happened. I have changed in so many ways that I feel like I'm a different, much older person.

I gladly bathe in Alfredo's hug and squeeze him back with all my might. I missed him—him, and his food. He smells like he always does, a mix of tomatoes and yeast, making my mouth water. Finally, he lets me move into the three-quarter circle booth where Colin is already waiting for me. "Should I be jealous?"

Kissing him to take the sting out of my words, I laugh, "Honestly, given a choice between you and a pizza right now…."

I let the sentence hang, and he laughs. "Fair enough, I can't say I would have an easier time with that choice."

"Hey!" I protest and box him in the almost healed arm. He yelps out in pain and looks at me, hurt.

"What, it's okay for you to say that, but not for me?" He asks with a wink.

"Double standards are a girl's best friend." Maggie counters as she slides in on my other side, and we high five each other.

"Absolutely." I laugh.

"Nothing gets between girls and food Colin; you should know that." Blake adds his five cents, scooting in next to Colin.

"So much for equal rights," Colin grumbles, and we laugh.

A tray with mugs of foaming beer and a huge bowl of steaming, fresh, yeasty, garlic bread rolls appears in front of us.

"Saved it for you guys." Alfredo smiles through his handlebar mustache.

"Oh, my God." I moan as I bite into one of the rolls.

Maggie looks accusingly at Alfredo. "You said you were all out of flour and yeast."

Alfredo winks at her with his thick eyebrows. "Never underestimate a Sicilian, my friend."

Maggie shakes her head. "I really shouldn't be here; I'm in charge of food storage and distribution, this is so…."

"You don't have to partake, ohhhh." I moan as I take another bite.

"Don't worry, little girl, I'll take care of your share." Colin offers and ruffles Maggie's hair.

"I'm going to hell for this, and when the General finds out…" Maggie objects.

"You worry too much." Blake admonishes her. "Really, ever since you guys have been gone, she has been acting like an old woman."

"She is an old woman," Alex states laughing, pushing his way in. "Heard you guys got back in town, and that usually means good food around here."

I fist-bump him since he's too far for a hug. "Just the food?"

"Maybe not." he winks.

"Room for one more?" Briggs asks and, without waiting for an answer, makes Maggie scoot closer to me.

Dimitrov appears from out of nowhere and squeezes in next to Alex, filling the booth to full capacity. At least I thought so, until Kat, Sean, and Drew pull up chairs. Now there is no more room. My eyes fall onto Richard stand a little forlorn by a corner and wave him over. "Come on guys, one more, scoot."

All of us move a little closer and leave just a smidge of a seat for the skinny kid, but that's all he needs. "Thank you."

"Good to see you," I say, and mean it. I liked Richard when we first met him at our High School during the maniacs and dinosaurs attack. It seems like a lifetime ago, I think. Even though it's only been a few months, not even a year.

I wish I had more time to help with his training. I remember how much I enjoyed coaching newbies. I always enjoyed training, particularly, when I don't have to hold back for fear the damn aliens learn too much, like during our last stint.

Alfredo personally serves us two oversized pizzas, and a war for slices ensues, probably making the casual observer believe we haven't eaten in weeks. Which for some of us is actually kinda true; at least we didn't get anything decent, like this, to eat. Nobody utters a word while we devour the pizza, soon followed by an assortment of Italian cakes and cookies. The only sounds to be heard from our table are moans of pleasure.

When I finally feel full, after licking my fingers, I take another swig of my beer and notice it's almost empty. Somewhere along the way, I acquired a taste for the bitter alcoholic beverage, or maybe it's just the company; either way, my beer is almost gone.

The place is filled to the brim. Every chair and table is occupied, even standing spots by the walls are taken up. Although it seems our table is the only one receiving pizza and dessert, other tables' fares seem not only smaller in portion but also simpler, mostly stews, soups, and different kinds of pasta. Knowing Alfredo all those meals are delicious as well, they just lack his usual flamboyant signature.

"This is not the only place to eat, is it?" I ask Blake.

Smiling he shakes his head, "No, we have several mess halls all around the base, as well as countless little holes in the wall like this one. But Alfredo's is by far the most popular. People fight to get in, wait 'til you see the line outside."

I take his word for it as I empty my beer. I'm still thirsty, but a quick check tells me, the pitchers are empty as well.

"Any chances for refills?" I ask the table.

"Looks like they are all busy." Maggie points to the harried-looking waiters and waitresses.

"Alright, let me out, I'll go." I offer.

Several people have to move around to let me pass. I grab the pitchers and push my way to the bar, where I squeeze in between two occupied bar stools. I catch the bartender's eyes after a few seconds and point to the empty pitchers.

"Sorry about that." He reaches for them.

I shrug my shoulders, "No problem."

"Hey sweetheart, while you wait, you want my beer?" I turn towards the voice and check the man it belongs to up and down. He's about twenty-something and occupies the chair to my right.

"I'm good, thanks, though." I force a smile, there is a glint in his eyes, I don't like.

"You don't have