Read Running on Empty for Free Online Page A

hours. She didn't realize they'd put in a full, professional-grade
     food service operation.
    'I have a hunch Tucker believes in giving the people what they want.' Joy stopped
     next to a little red convertible with a tan top and nodded down the block. 'Go take
     a look, and I'll catch you later.'
    'Sounds good. I think I'll run the lake path tomorrow or Monday. Want to come?'
    'Sure, but make it tomorrow,' Joy said, climbing into her convertible. 'Monday's the
     parade, as a born-and-bred Sutherton girl ought to recall.'
    Of course, the Labor Day Parade. With the excitement of Frat Pack Night, AnnaLise
     had forgotten the other
holiday.
    As Joy backed out of her parking space, AnnaLise and Daisy continued down Main Street
     to Torch.
    The entrance of the former Griggs Market was set at an angle facing the intersection
     of Main and Second Street. Around the corner on Second was the residential entrance
     to the townhouse-style apartment where Daisy lived. And, at one time, her husband
     Tim and AnnaLise lived with her.
    The commercial plate-glass doors of the market had been replaced with rich wooden
     ones that gleamed in the morning light. They were flanked by newly installed sidelights,
     each featuring an elongated flame on a matte-black background and the word 'Torch'.
    Despite Daisy's assurances, the place looked closed. AnnaLise leaned down to peer
     through the translucent white center of the sidelight flames. Detecting movement inside,
     she raised her hand to rap on one of the doors when it abruptly swung open.
    'Sorry, man,' a boy of about seventeen said. 'I mean, ma'am.'
    AnnaLise, who had backed off just in time to save face, literally, was young enough
     to prefer the nearly cross-gender term 'man' over 'ma'am'. 'Not your fault. I didn't
     know the place was open.'
    As AnnaLise spoke, she realized the boy held what looked like a miniature to-go cup,
     just the right size to accommodate a double shot of espresso. And it smelled great.
    Before she could ask him where he'd gotten his drink, the kid was halfway across the
     street and heading for the beach. No matter, the scent of espresso from inside Torch
     still hung in the air.
    Daisy entered and threw out her arms. 'Isn't it wonderful?'
    Following her, AnnaLise took in the revolutionary change.
    The shelves and counters of the market were gone and the walls of the square room
     were painted slate gray. In addition to round tables on the floor, a raised bar-level
     had been installed in front of three walls, giving those seated there a place to set
     their drinks while enjoying a clear sight-line to the half-circle stage on the fourth
     wall.
    Tucker Stanton was cross-legged on said stage, a scraggly attempt at growing a mustache
     and goatee against his toffee-colored skin making the eighteen-year-old look even
     younger. He was alternately slapping splayed fingers on a bongo drum and reciting
     something that sounded like a cross between haiku and 'There Was a Young Man From
     Nantucket'.
    Mercifully, Tucker caught sight of them before he got to the punch line. 'AnnaLise!
     Welcome!'
    Hopping up, he weaved his way through the tables to give AnnaLise a hug. Tucker Ulysses
     Stanton might be too young to drink the alcohol he served, but AnnaLise thought he
     had a great chance of succeeding at pretty much anything he put his mind — and his
     father's money — to. He was just that kind of kid.
    But a bongo? And blue haiku?
    'How do you like the place?' Tucker asked.
    'It's great,' AnnaLise answered honestly. 'But I thought you were opening a nightclub.'
    'It is a club―' Tucker started.
    'But not just at night,' Daisy added, looking pleased with herself and Tucker. 'I
     asked him why he'd spend all that money to be open only four hours a day.'
    'And your mother was right,' Tucker said. 'I'd already decided to put in an espresso
     bar for the after-work crowd, so opening a few hours in the morning for the caffeine-cravers
     seemed natural.'
    'A coffee shop.'