The day started with bright sunshine and soon the temperature was climbing into the seventies—very warm for early March.

I didn’t have to work today, and Dina, my bestie, was also off. I sent her a quick text, asking if she wanted to have a picnic lunch at the local park. She responded and agreed it would be the perfect day for it. I told her I would bring an assortment of cheese, crackers, and fruit if she could bring the drinks. Knowing Dina, she would stop by Jenna’s Cakes and Cookies and pick-up something for dessert.

We met in the parking lot just prior to the baseball fields. The area has some larger shade trees and a couple of benches.

“Shoot!” Dina exclaimed, meeting me at the back of my car.

I glanced at her while opening my truck. “What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to bring a blanket.” She scanned the area, apparently looking for a picnic table.

I laughed and pulled one from my trunk. “You should know I’m always prepared! I was a Girl Scout!”

She rolled her eyes. “That was a long time ago, silly.”

I grabbed and blanket and cooler. She had a bag of goodies and a smaller cooler. We decided on a spot under a sprawling oak tree that wasn’t too far from the restrooms.

We lounged under the tree, talking books and boys while grazing on the food I’d brought. Too soon, however, a car load of teenagers dressed in baseball uniforms pulled into the lot. Sadly, our peaceful reprieve was now over.

We grumbled and groaned and then decided to call it a day. I started packing up the leftover food.

“I need to run to the restroom before we head out,” Dina said. “If you wait until I get back, I can help you load the car.”

I waved her off. “Do what you need to do. There’s not that much to carry. I don’t mind taking care of it.”

She wasn’t gone two minutes when I heard screaming. Dina came running toward me like she was being chased by the hounds of hell.

“Oh my God! Oh my God! You wouldn’t believe what I just saw!” She bent at the waist to catch her breath. Dina isn’t known for her athletic ability.

I had all kinds of scenarios racing through my head. I couldn’t imagine what would have made her so upset. We were the only ones there aside from the baseball team. Maybe one of guys mooned her?

“Kari, are you listening to me?” She snapped her fingers in front of my face, still trying to catch her breath.

“Sorry, what?” I probably should listen to what happened. So much for being a good friend. “Now, tell me what happened.”

“I saw a bat!” She turned and pointed toward the restroom.

“A bat? Like one of the guys left his baseball bat outside the bathroom?” I couldn’t understand what the big deal would be. “Did he threaten you with it?”

Despite her hysteria, she managed an Oscar-worthy eye roll. “Are you completely dense? I saw a bat! The animal, rodent, whatever they are. So creepy!”

Light dawned. I squinted my eyes, trying to see if I could locate a dark spot hanging from the soffit. No such luck. “So the little critter with wings that eats bugs at night?”

“Yes! You’re finally getting it …” Her voice trailed off. She suddenly found a spot on the ground to be of great interest.

“Spill. What else? I know you too well. You’re hiding something.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest, trying to wait patiently.

“Well, I mean, maybe I’m just imaging it, but I swear it winked at me and then licked one of its fangs.” She wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Like in a sexy way.”

I know I should be supportive, but I just couldn’t help myself. I burst out laughing. “So you saw Dracula? Is that what you’re telling me? You saw a blood-sucking vampire in bat form?”