“I considered it, but I didn’t want to get attached again. Taffy lived until she was seventeen. That’s old for a dog.”
I point at her. “Aha! I’m not the only one who has issues dealing with negative emotions.”
She opens her mouth to object, but no sounds come out.
“I’d ask if the cat got your tongue, but we both know you don’t have one.”
“This?” She sticks out her tongue.
“I’m talking about a cat, silly.” The ‘silly’ slips out. It has an intimate ring to it, like we’re close friends who’ve known each other forever and are comfortable with tacking on lighthearted nicknames. I feel a pang of embarrassment, but Cricket doesn’t seem to notice.
We’re not friends, my inner voice insists. I’ve infiltrated Comic-Camp as a tactic to get my client what he wants so that I get what I want.
Except the longer I stay here, what I want and why I want it are beginning to fade from memory.
Chapter Eleven
I’m relieved to finally be rid of the Mumford shirt. I’m also glad no one mentioned its origin. I wouldn’t have wanted to explain to Charlie, which I realize is somewhat hypocritical given how much I’ve pushed him out of his comfort zone.
Big deal. I’m a hypocrite. There are worse things to be in life, like a liar and a cheater.
After yoga I shower and check messages. Adam’s toilet won’t stop running and it’s upsetting Chewy, so I swing by his cabin for maintenance. Thankfully, it’s an easy fix.
“You’re a lifesaver,” Adam says. He’s seated on the edge of his bed cuddling Chewy on his lap. For once he’s in regular clothes.
“It’s no big deal, unlike Charlie trying to unload Chucky at swag swap last night.”
Adam strokes the Yorkie’s silky hair. “Don’t be so quick to judge. He had that baseball card ready and waiting at his fingertips. I think subconsciously he wanted us to object to Chucky.”
“Huh. You’re more insightful than people give you credit for, you know that?”
“It’s the helmet. Everybody underestimates my capacity for compassion, but if they really knew anything about Anakin, they’d know…”
I tune out, as I tend to do whenever Adam goes off on a Star Wars tangent. I’m a genuine fan, but for Adam the franchise is an obsession. He can recite Anakin Skywalker factoids until you lose sensation in your limbs. Ask me how I know.
“What time is karaoke tonight?” Adam asks.
“Later than I’d prefer, but Melody was only available at ten.”
“Ooh, that’s past our bedtime.” He holds up Chewy. “Isn’t it, little guy?”
“You can make an exception for one night. I have an indoor and an outdoor activity planned to keep everybody occupied until then.”
“I vote for indoor.”
“I thought as much, that’s why I’m playing Empire Strikes Back in the cabin.”
“Out of curiosity, but what’s the outdoor activity?”
“Capture the Flag: After Dark edition.”
Adam snorts. “Let me guess: Hunter’s request.”
“Of course.”
Adam is quiet for a moment. “I like Charlie.”
“That’s all part of his evil plan. Makes everybody like him and then bam! Ruin our lives.”
