Page 173 of Nearly Roadkill
“Who in their right mind wouldn’t be a Winc fan, officer?”
She’s up in the aisle now, pulling a bag down from the rack above her seat. Wally Budge is up in a flash, standing by her side. She turns to him, startled.
“Yes?” She’s got a good four or five inches on him.
“Let me get that bag for you, ma’am.”
A slow smile, her head inclined just slightly. He feels like a teenager.
“Why, thank you, officer.” With a small laugh and a wave, she’s through the door and out on the platform.
A tapping at his shoulder. It’s Shel, amused.
“Lieutenant Budge? The troops are ready to disembark. Best put your tongue back in your mouth, your eyes back in their sockets, and wipe the sweat from your brow.”
“Shel! You know I only got eyes for you.”
“Here, your tie’s crooked.”
END JABBA NARRATIVE ENTRY
GWYNYTH DIARY ENTRY
True Romance, take two.
To:Gwynyth@
From:[email protected]
Subj:Checking in, as you requested
We’re ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ack! NYC! Can you believe it?
First, I’ve got to tell you that I sat across the aisle from a certain lieutenant the whole train ride up here. I held my panic down all the way from Trenton. Even made him blush.
Okay, so our plan seems to be working! I waited outside the address Orlio gave us, and it’s about 5 a.m., right? Just a few people out walking. The streets belong to the delivery trucks.
This kid comes up to me, eyes popping out of his head, and he says, “Winc?” I say, “Orlio?”
He’s laughing, and he says “Wow, you really *are* a lady!” And I say “Sometimes, dear.” And he keeps laughing.
We’re only there a few minutes when suddenly there’s Scratch at the curb in that silly car. Ze leans out the window with a crinkly grin and says, “Hey, Dollface, kept you waitin’ long?” Swoon. Ze must’ve broken every speed limit getting here on time.
“Gwynyth’s Guides are with us! There’s a parking space!”
I shake my head in disbelief.
Orlio can’t get over Scratch.
“Oh man, that is so cool: You’re gay!”
Scratch keeps smiling, glancing at him all gruff-but-not-really, and finally says, “Sometimes, dear.” I swear!
Right, so just as he said he would, Orlio’s dad let us into his loft at this office called EcoTech, then he and Orlio went home, and now it’s just the two of us, cozy as can be.
See you and Toobe soon, yes?
—ScratchnWinc
