Check on Things

The hairs on the back of Peter’s head are standing up. There’s something wrong about this night. He can’t put a finger on it, but something nags at him that he should check on Hannah.

He drives back to his house. The street is quiet. He pulls into the driveway. He steps out into the cool night air. He opens the door to his house, not quite sure what to expect.

“Pete, you’re home early. To what do I owe this surprise?”

“Something about tonight just really creeped me out. Where’s Becky?”

“Still over babysitting at the Kirks. Are you going to stay?”

“I’m still on duty, Hannah.”

“Fuck duty, Pete. Stay with me and have a glass of wine. Bob and Stacy left us a bottle for watching their house. I was waiting for you to crack it open.”

The way the night is going Peter feels like he could really stand a drink.

“Alright, Hannah, one glass. I still have to finish up my shift.”

Hannah uses the corkscrew on the bottle. It looks old and the label is barely legible and not in English. It makes an audible pop as Hannah pulls out the aging real cork.

She pours two glasses.