Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 01 - Sugar And Spice and Not So Nice Read Online Free Page A

of your friends still at the college?” I asked.
    “Most of them graduated last May,” replied Rachel. Suddenly, she jumped up in excitement. “Sara! Sara is still there. She failed a couple of her classes and was forced to stay an extra semester. She and I were pretty close—like sisters!”
    “It’s a start.”
    “We should go see her right now.”
    I stared at Rachel. “Now? It’s nine o’clock at night. I’m tired and want some sleep.”
    “Which is why this is the perfect time to go. She’d be at Zappy’s. It’s a great place to hang out, for college kids.”
    “But it’s in the middle of the week,” I protested. I had no desire to go anywhere. I just wanted to go to bed.
    “Like that’s ever stopped any one from going to the bar. Come on, party pooper.” Rachel hauled me out of my comfortable chair. Before I knew it my purse and keys were shoved into my hands and I was out the door.
    I drove across town, following Rachel’s directions to Zappy’s. I cranked my radio up so no one would wonder why I seemed to be talking to myself. When I pulled into Zappy’s parking lot, I had to drive around to find a parking space. The crowd was unbelievable! Ten minutes later, I finally found a space to park the car. The music pounded against the windows.
    “Let’s find her quick,” I told Rachel.
    Secretly, I hoped that she wouldn’t be there. I had no idea what I would say without coming across as an amateur sleuth; or just plain nosy. I chuckled inside. That’s exactly what I was.
    A wave of tobacco smoke, booze, and pounding music wafted over me. I detested these places. Yet, I had to be here to help Rachel get her memory back.
    “I.D.?”
    I stared at the guy behind the counter for a moment until I realized that he was talking to me. I quickly handed him my driver’s license. He looked it over, frowned, and handed it back. Apparently, he was hoping to bust some high school student trying to sneak in.
    “Five bucks,” said the guy.
    “What?”
    “Five dollar cover charge,” he repeated.
    Luckily, I had some cash with me. I forked over a five and went in. Instantly, I understood why this was a college hangout. The loud music and alcohol was an open invitation for it; but the place had a private section for those who wanted to be alone, a dance floor, and a bar with stools. I picked a menu off of a table and glanced at it in the multicolored lighting. They served food as well.
    “Wheee!” shouted Rachel next to me. “This is fun isn’t it?”
    “Hey,” I shouted at her, “we’re here to work. Remember?”
    “Sorry,” said Rachel, “it’s been awhile since I felt alive—so to speak.”
    “Do you see her?” I glanced around at the crowd. The place was packed. No way were we going to find Sara in here.
    “No,” said Rachel. “Stay here while I look around.” She left me alone. I glanced around me. Without any ideas on what to do, I meandered to the bar.
    “What’ll it be?” asked the bartender.
    I racked my brain trying to remember the list of drinks. “Southern Tropics.” Instantly, my drink appeared and I had to hand over some money. I raised my drink to my lips.
    “Hey!”
    Rachel popped out of nowhere and grabbed my shoulder. I dropped my drink. Great. Instead of drinking my beverage, I was wearing it. I snatched some paper napkins and attempted, in vain, to wipe the mess off my jacket.
    “I found her,” said Rachel.
    “Where is she?”
    “Up there on the second floor,” replied Rachel.
    “Hey, baby.”
    I turned around and found a man ogling me. The man’s breath stank of too much liquor. I ignored him.
    “Hey,” he persisted, “I said ‘hi’!”
    “Kick him in the nuts,” said Rachel.
    I shook my head. I didn’t want trouble and having two people talk to me at the same time was very confusing. “Go away, please,” I said to the guy next to me.
    He grabbed my shoulder and whirled me around to face him. “I don’t like being ignored,” he spat.
    I