the stranger who came to town page 3

the stranger who came to town page 3 by ric gustafson


Homer drove the green Saturn into the parking space opposite room 12 and got his two black suitcases out of the trunk. He opened the door of room 12 and put the suitcases on the edge of the queen sized bed. The room was sparse except for the bed, a small dresser, an oversized easy chair and a TV. He opened up one of the two suitcases and took out what looked like a small golden calf statue. He put it on top of the dresser. For the next hour, he chanted and worshipped the little statue until he got tired. He got unto the bed and took a nap.
" Hi Dad" Josh said as he and Clarice Anderson walked into the lobby. He saw his father was dusting the front counter and the candy machine which sat in a corner of the lobby.
" Hi Josh" his father replied as he put the dust rag down. " Hello Clarice and how are you".
" Fine Mr Marcotte".
" Any customers tonight?" Josh asked as he filled a paper cup with ice from the ice machine.
" Just one".
" Hello".
Startled, Josh turned around to see a young man who was wearing a red polo shirt and dark sunglasses extending his hand.
" Homer Tang" he said with a strange grin. " Nice to meet you".
When Josh shook Homer's hand, a strange feeling came over him.