The Crossroads

Billy O’Claire sat in a booth choking down his third double cheeseburger.

The burgers were juicy and the first two had been okay, especially with a large side of fries. The third, however, tasted like what it was: about a half pound of cooked cow.

Billy belched. “Oh, man.”

His stomach hurt. He’d also inhaled three chocolate shakes in less than fifteen minutes.

“Finish my burger!” said a nagging voice inside his head. “I haven’t had one in fifty years!”

Billy took another weary bite. Tried to mash the meat and bread around in his mouth. It was becoming more of a chore with every chew.

He had never been much of a burger guy before. He was more into pizza. Nachos. Buffalo wings.

But it had been nothing but cheeseburgers, fries, and milk shakes since he had met the guy with the slicked-back hair.

Billy still didn’t know why the guy kept showing up. He just knew he’d be back soon because tonight was the night he wanted to meet Billy’s grandmother: Mary O’Claire.