Page 23 of Electric Touch

Dylan: If you want to talk to Nash, you need to tell me more than that. Or I will delete this message.

Apollo: Tell him it’s about Tia

Dylan: What about her?

Apollo: Is this Nash?

Dylan: Yeah

Apollo: She’ll never ask, but she could use your help with something.

Dylan: You realise how fucking strange this sounds, right? What does she need help with?

Apollo: She wants to learn how to play the guitar, and I figured you could help. Forget it though, if it’s a problem.

Dylan: Why does she need to learn guitar, and why would I help?

Apollo: Dude, forget it. I thought you’d want to help. She can stick with the guy she found in the classifieds.

Dylan: Wait, she can’t do that. You’d let her meet a stranger?

Apollo: You’re making me regret this

Dylan: What do you expect me to say? You message out of the blue. And tell me you’re letting your friend meet a stranger for guitar lessons.

Apollo: Jesus, can you help or not?

Dylan: You’re an asshole.

Apollo: It isn’t about me.

Dylan: Ok… so long as we understand each other

Apollo: Yeah, I’m an asshole and you’re a little bitch

Dylan: You’re lucky I like her.

Apollo: Well?

Dylan: Send me your number.

Chapter Eight

Leaving the gym, dejected and embarrassed, I think I’ve broken my ass bone. I’ve at least slipped a couple of discs in my back. And my wrists are hurting so badly I want to cry.

“We need to reevaluate this one,” I tell Apollo.

“I hate to agree. After that performance, I’m concerned you’ll break your neck before you master a backflip.”

“What if I do the crab?” I suggest.

His lips turn down in a frown of contemplation. “I don’t see the similarities. But, it might be for the best.”

“Not today,” I say, heading for the subway.

At least the retired gymnast Apollo found didn’t laugh too hard or get too exasperated with me. I toppled and fell on my ass enough times. She was concerned and called time. Diplomatically saying, some people aren’t flexible.

We bought a stranger’s groceries before heading to the gym. So I crossed one thing off the list today, thankfully. We were aiming for three. How Apollo thought I’d be able to master a backflip after one session was anyone’s guess.

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