Page 65 of From Nowhere

When we get to the store, Lola skips ahead of me and grabs a basket. “What are we getting?”

“Apples.”

“Nana just got apples.”

“I meant oranges.”

“How many?” She finds the oranges.

“Three.”

We meander around the store, grabbing a handful of miscellaneous items we probably don’t need.

“Now I know why you wanted to come with me.”

Lola smirks while scanning the items through the self-checkout, her favorite pastime. “Maybe I’ll get a job here. I’m good at scanning things.”

I tap my credit card and arrange the items in the bag, except for her natural soda. “I forgot something. Why don’t you take your soda out front and wait for me by the bikes?”

Her eyes widen. “By myself?”

I think it over for a few seconds before nodding. “I’ll be really quick. Don’t talk to anyone, and stay where lots of people can see you.”

“Does this mean I can ride my bike to school alone?”

“No.” I take the bag and hand her the soda.

She frowns.

“Meet you out front.” I ignore her displeasure and make a beeline for the personal-care aisle.

“Jesus . . . ,” I whisper, surveying the condoms.

Her Pleasure.

His Pleasure.

Extended Pleasure.

Double Ecstasy.

BareSkin.

Fire & Ice.

Is there such a thing as “classic”? A basic one-size-fits-all that will prevent pregnancy and STDs? I think I can figure out the pleasure and ecstasy parts on my own. Fire & Ice sounds risky. BareSkin sounds less effective.

I grab one and head toward the checkout.

“Your bike blew over,” Lola says.

I jump out of my fucking skin at the sound of her voice, dropping the condom box into the paid bag of groceries.

She sips her soda.

“You can’t drink that in here,” I say with the urgency of her carrying a loaded gun.

She wrinkles her nose. “Why not? You paid for it.”

---