She had a whole boxful in the trunk, neatly labeledJerkface’s Stuff,that she was planning on delivering to her attorney next week.
And Neil could pay for shipping, since he was covering her attorney’s fees as part of the settlement.
The fireworks on the bed whispered sweet nothings.Do it for your country, baby. We might not live to see tomorrow.
They were technically illegal in Georgia.
But when was the next time she’d get a chance to blow Neil the hell out of her life?
“Damn straight I’ve got something.”
It didn’t take much more than an encouraging grin from Kaci to propel Anna out to her car. Moments later, they were sprawled out in front of the pool, strapping Neil’s belongings to firecrackers, and moments after that, Kaci handed Anna a lighter.
“Which one you gonna do first?”
Anna took another hit from the ketchup bottle. “His favorite boxers.”
They positioned the firecracker in the middle of the yard. Anna lit the fuse, and the two of them stepped back. The rocket shot into the air with a squeal.
Ka-BOOM!
A shower of red and yellow sparks exploded in the night sky. Kaci let out a whoop.
Anna saluted the sky with her ketchup bottle. “I’ll miss that dust rag.”
She positioned the next firework, then lit it and dartedback to Kaci’s side. When that one exploded, goo splattered down on them. “What is thatsmell?” Kaci asked.
“His favorite body wash.”
“It smells worse than a wet hog in a trough of rotten peaches.”
“Smells worse on.” On all of them.
Two weeks ago, she wouldn’t have believed she could send the ashes of her marriage up on firecrackers.
But it felt good.
Necessary.
Freeing.
Anna laughed. She scampered forward and lit another firecracker.
“Which one?” Kaci asked.
“His iPod. I never have to listen to the very best of the Neils again.” She’d spent so many hours listening to Neil Young and Neil Diamond on car trips, she’d taken to offering to drive so her Neil could use his iPod's earbuds.
In retrospect, Diamond’sRed Red Wineand Young’sBirdson repeat were more prophetic than annoying.
A rainbow-colored burst of sparks spread out in a sphere over the sound of the firecracker’s boom. Something whistled then splashed into the pool with a heavykerplunk!
Bye-bye, Neils.
“Don’t ever doubt terminal velocity,” Kaci said. Anna turned to the pool, but Kaci stopped her. “Lance’ll get it. He’s used to this. What’s next?”
Thepièce de résistance. “His retainer.”
“Hiswhat?” Kaci said. “Like for his teeth?”
