• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 482 0

“But can you pop it down for a minute?” she asked as he started to take it out. “That way the butter’ll melt. I love this house, it’s so nice. Where I live it’s just like nobody gives a shit, oops, sorry, but you know what I mean? The landlord, all he cares about is his rent.” Her voice grated like the scrape of the butter knife on the dry toast. “We’re gonna move. I’m not sure when. But pretty soon. We were gonna move in with JumJum, but then that turned to shit, I mean, like, well, you know what I mean. Thanks!” She snatched a slice before the plate was even on the table. “The problem is, we only got one bedroom. I hate that. My mother’s like this wicked loud snorer. Could I have another piece?” she asked, licking her fingertips and leaning close to the dish as she pressed them into the crumbs. “I’m not getting on your nerves, am I?” she said as he gave her the second slice. “My mother says I’m a pain in the ass I talk so much, but I can’t help it. I don’t like quiet all the time. I mean, it’s like there’s nothing there, you know what I mean?”

“Actually, I like things to be quiet,” he said as deliberately as he could.

“Whoa! Well, I guess I better go, then.” She stuffed the rest of the toast into her mouth and headed for the door.

He’d played this out in his head a thousand times, and now he was finally dialing the number. He winced with each ring. He had everything planned. Dinner at the Yellow Brick Inn, which he’d overheard June say was the best restaurant around. When Jilly picked him up, he’d show her the roses. He’d break one off and give it to her. Or maybe he’d have a bouquet already cut and waiting. But they’d probably wilt in the car. So maybe the restaurant could put them in a glass of water for her. And there they’d be all through dinner, those red petals, velvety soft like her cheeks.

“Hello?” she answered breathlessly.

“Hi.” The restaurant, roses, her sweet voice, it all ran together in his head. He didn’t know what to say next. “This is Gordon. Gordon Loomis.”

“Oh, sure—Gordon! How’ve you been? I’ve been meaning to call you. I was wondering what you thought of the condos I showed you.”

“I liked them. They were very nice. And I really appreciated seeing them. I mean, I appreciated your time . . . the time it took to show them to me.”

“Well, I’m glad to do it. Did you get your appraisal yet?”

“No. That’s not why I’m calling. I wanted to know if you could go to a restaurant. That’s what I wanted to ask you.”

“A restaurant?” She sounded confused.

“Yes, to eat dinner. That’s what I meant. And any time’s fine. Any night, whenever you want. I mean, I know you have appointments and things sometimes at night.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Gordon, but I can’t.”

“Oh. Well. Well, that’s okay, then. I . . . I don’t mean to bother you.”

“You’re not bothering me! No, it’s not that at all. It’s just that I’m—I’m seeing someone right now. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Gordon.”

“No, don’t be sorry. I mean, you don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

CHAPTER 9

He had been a fool to think that such a beautiful young woman would ever be attracted to him. He had to remember not to expect too much. Reentering the world didn’t make a man free. It was enough just to be here, on his way home from work in the warm afternoon sunshine. As he turned into the front walk, Jada Fossum ran across the street carrying a puppy.

“Isn’t he so sweet? Oh, I love you so much, you sweet little bee-bee!” she squealed, nuzzling the folds of its plump brown neck.

“He’s a nice little dog.” He thought of her kicking the old man’s ratty little dog.

“Pet him. Go ahead!” She grabbed his hand and placed it on the dog’s warm head. “See! He likes you!”

The dog yipped and wiggled toward him. “He’s friendly.”

“Yeah, these druggers, they were gonna take him to the pound, but my mother said, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ She can’t stand seeing animals be hurt. She said, ‘They’ll just put him to sleep, and the poor little beebee’s never even been outside or anything.’ They kept him in a cage all the time, the zombies. They did, didn’t they?” she murmured in