The Grin in the Dark

The Grin in the Dark — page 7 — on the wall over the half-circle table usually has antique postcards of clowns both drawn and photographed tucked under its frame But not tonight Then Hamid looks up the staircase that leads to the dark second floor Its walls are usually lined with black-and-white photos of clowns from one hundred years ago Clowns performing in circuses rodeos and street festivals Clowns posing in random places you’d never think to find them in a diner on the front porch of a house in a cornfield Aunt Julie Hamid says slowly as he turns around to find her fiddling with something in the closet What happened to all your stuff It’s all packed away I’m afraid Aunt Julie says quickly turning to face him She checks the time on her phone and mutters to herself We really have to go Then she looks at Hamid frowning Why is it all packed Hamid asks Just then without warning Uncle Mo steps through the doorway from the living room and walks up to the mirror that hangs over the semicircular table Because Hamid Uncle Mo says as he tugs and twists and pulls at his bow tie your Aunt Julie’s

The Grin in the Dark — page 8 — obsession with clowns has become a thing of nightmares His eyes find Hamid in the mirror and he opens them wide and then winks Nightmares Hamid says He looks at Aunt Julie for a clue Sometimes she acts as a translator for Uncle Mo when he’s not making much sense Well Julie says pausing to hush her husband and holding her finger to her lips Afifa and Ahmed have been having bad dreams About clowns Uncle Mo says leaning down to put his goofiest face right between Hamid and Julie He stands up straight takes a last look in the mirror and says I’m going to start the car Julie rolls her eyes Anyway she says we thought maybe if we took down my collection and packed it all up it might help the twins And Hamid says She frowns at him It hasn’t helped yet she admits and she snatches her purse from the entryway table in front of the mirror Well they’re asleep for now Not for long Mo calls from around the corner in the kitchen probably on his way to the garage All right all right Julie says We have to get going But I’m afraid your uncle is right The twins

The Grin in the Dark — page 9 — will probably be up at some point tonight with bad dreams As she talks she digs around in her little silver bag If they do get up she says please just do your best to reassure them and get them back to bed They like you and trust you so it shouldn’t be a problem Okay Hamid says Meanwhile Julie goes on you have the run of the house There’s food and pop in the fridge And there’s microwave popcorn Do you know how to make microwave popcorn Of course Hamid says rolling his eyes a little Of course Julie says still digging through her purse And there are lots of movies to watch on cable or Blu-ray or whatever else Mo has hooked up in there You know how to use that stuff Of course Of course Julie says finally looking up from her bag Honey she calls out over her shoulder toward the kitchen I can’t find the tickets

The Grin in the Dark — page 10 — I have them in my coat pocket Mo calls back sticking his head around the corner Let’s go Aunt Julie shakes her head and smiles Anyway she says if the twins get up just let them know they’re safe and get them back to bed all right through No problem Hamid says and he walks with Aunt Julie the kitchen gleaming stainless steel granite counters and a rack of shining copper pots and pans over the island to the garage He peeks in and sees that Uncle Mo is already in the driver’s seat of their sporty SUV tapping his watch impatiently Have a good time Hamid says waving at Mo who waggles his tongue at him No wonder Julie loves clowns so much Hamid thinks She’s married to one Julie smiles and waves and climbs into the truck Call us if you need anything she says through the open window as Mo backs out of the garage My cell number is on the fridge Hamid steps back into the kitchen and closes the door Then he pulls open the doors to the walk-in pantry and rubs his hands together as he looks around Popcorn and movie time he says

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