Page 45 of Jagged Little Pieces

“Goose, how did you get your name?” I ask, trying to get the conversation going and calm down an agitated Coco.

“I got into a tussle with a goose.”

“Who won?” Coco asks immediately.

The redheaded biker turns her blue-eyed gaze to Coco and narrows her eyes. “The goose, of course. That’s why I’m forced to have this name.”

“I don’t think it suits you,” Coco says and waves her hand around in an exaggerated way. “Nearly any name would be better. You do seem more like a Trish or a Carolina.”

Goose snorts and looks at Walla Walla. They share a chuckle in reaction to the possible names.

“I’m no fucking Trish,” Goose finally says as Walla Walla leans over to mess with her hair. “My birth name is Lisa.”

“That’s lovely,” Coco says and sighs extremely loud like a lovesick teenager.

“Coco’s name is actually Coco,” I explain when I realize my friend can’t stop acting oddly. “Her mom couldn’t afford a poodle, so she had a daughter instead.”

Coco grins at how I’m telling a story she’s shared a hundred times over the years.

“It’s true.”

“Your mom sounds like an idiot.”

“Hey,” Coco grumbles. “I get to say that, not you.”

“Goose’s mom is an idiot, too,” Walla Walla offers helpfully. “So is mine.”

Everyone looks at me, but I just shrug. “You’ve met Suzanne. I can’t pretend she isn’t amazing.”

“Mama’s girl,” Goose says dismissively. “Spoiled rich girl. Everything I hate.”

I sip my water and mumble, “Well, I like you.”

Goose frowns hard at me. “Of course, you do. I’m cool.”

Coco laughs, stops herself, and then laughs again. Walla Walla glances between the two women before focusing on me.

“I like your mom,” he says and smiles wider. “She likes me, too. Might be the first mom ever to approve of me.”

“Is your mother really that awful?” I ask, and he immediately nods. “Does she have any redeeming qualities?”

Goose mutters, “She gave Walla Walla his pretty-boy eyes. That’s it. Nothing else.”

Walla Walla grins and nods. “She’s a loser, to be honest. Doesn’t even have any of those Christian qualities like being charitable or meek. She’s just boring.”

Goose nods. “The bitch’s a real snoozefest.”

“What’s your mom like?” I ask the irritated biker.

“I’m trying to enjoy my day,” Goose replies immediately. “So, let’s skip talking about my family, unless it’s my brother. Then, I’m game.”

“Are you close?”

“Armor’s our VP. I see him every day. So, yeah, we’re close.”

Coco blurts out, “I’m an only child.”

Goose quickly mutters, “No one cares.”

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