“Oh, yes, I’m starving.”
There was an Interstate sign ahead that looked like it had some food options on it. “Look at the sign and see what you might like at the next exit. I need to stop for gas anyway.”
“Okay,” he said eagerly, leaning forward. “Ooh look, they have a MacDonald’s. But I don’t have much money.” He glanced over at me. “I suppose I have enough for French fries.”
“What else is there?”
“Um, a Hardees. A Denny’s too.”
“No great choices, but I guess we’ll go to Denny’s. You don’t need any more hamburgers and fries. I’ll get you some eggs.”
“But hamburgers and fries are so good!” he said, smiling at me. “By the way, I…uh…you may have to loan me some cash. I don’t have much money.”
“Yes, you’ve said that a few times now, so I was able to figure it out.”
He blushed. “Don’t be mean.”
I blew out a long breath. “Tell me, because I’d love to know…just how were you planning on driving any farther after you left Jack’s apartment? You had to know you couldn’t stay there forever. How far did you think you’d get without money for gas?”
“Well, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Maybe I would have gone to a gas station and told people I was stranded and begged them for some money? I think they call that panhandling. Or maybe I could have just left the car and hitchhiked?”
“Do you have any idea how dumb an idea panhandling is? Not to mention hitchhiking.” I realized I was shouting at him and tried hard to modulate my voice. “It’s dangerous. I should spank that little ass of yours again.”
He drew in on himself like I’d frightened him with the yelling or threatening him, and immediately I felt bad.
“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to yell, but you make me a little crazy.”
“When I was on the way here, I stopped at a truck stop and some guy tapped on my window. It scared me and I drove off.”
“Tapped on your window? Where were you parked?”
“In the lot near the trucks.”
“Well, that explains it. He probably thought you were a lot lizard.”
“A what?”
“That’s what some truckers call prostitutes at the truck stops.”
“Oh.” His cheeks bloomed rosy red. “But that wasn’t why I parked there. I just thought it might be safer with all the big trucks around.” He was quiet for a moment and then frowned, blushing again. “That’s an awful name for someone to call people.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
“People can be so mean.”
I nodded because I wasn’t sure what to say. He seemed so sensitive.
“Maybe it’s just me,” he said. “Jazz says I’m really annoying.”
“No, you’re not. Exactly. Stop looking like that and put your shoes back on. Your feet are turning blue. Why didn’t you bring your socks, anyway?”
I don’t like underwear,” he said, blowing my mind again. But he did as I asked, shooting me long, hurt looks. I had to wonder if he was doing this on purpose to make me feel bad for him. I decided he had to be.
I pulled into a gas station, got out and pumped my gas. He sat quietly in the front seat, still cuffed to the door. He was being almost too good—I didn’t trust him at all.
When I got back in, I continued my interrogation. “Where the hell were you planning on going from here?”
“San Francisco.”