His smile held no humor. Suddenly he looked bigger to her, bigger and more confident. Hope wished for a few more inches on her legs right then, so she could eyeball him.
“Imagine how bad I feel.”
“Bastard.”
“Pack your things, Hope. Now.”
They stared at each other for long seconds, and it really pissed her off, that she broke first. It was only temporary, she told herself. She’d do what he wanted for now, and then when the chance presented itself she’d leave, and he wouldn’t find her.
“You want these?”
Hope turned to find a pair of pink lace panties dangling from one large finger. She snatched them off him, and stuffed them into her backpack. Just because her clothes didn’t appear girlie and labeled didn’t mean she couldn’t have the occasional lace pair of underwear when she could afford it.
“Imagine you wearing something so girlie.”
“Yeah, well at least my wardrobe doesn’t cost the same as the national deficit.”
“I like nice clothes, sue me.”
“I hope you’re aware that some of the things you buy are made in countries that pay their workers a pittance, and what’s more, they use child labor.”
“Is there any cause you don’t champion?”
“Someone’s got to care.”
“I get that, actually.”
“Sure you do,” Hope scoffed as she did up the top of her backpack.
“You don’t know anything about me, Hope, so don’t judge.”
“Ditto.”
He sighed; it was loud and long.
“Okay, you got me there. How about we call a truce?”
“Can we?”
He moved closer and took her bag, slinging it over a broad shoulder. Hope didn’t fight him. She’d bide her time, then escape when his guard was down.
“Sure, after all, I used to trade your mother’s bran muffins for my mother’s chocolate cookies, remember. We haven’t always disagreed.”
“I made those.”
“Yeah? You never told me that.”
Hope could see he was genuinely surprised. The anger had gone as quick as it came.
“I loved those muffins. I tried to get mom to make them, but she was horrified at the prospect of anything with bran in it.”
“She wouldn’t be horrified now, as it turns out.”
“True that. I miss the chocolate cookies,” he added.
“Then make some, or go buy one of Buster’s.”
“I tried, they came out flat. Buster bakes them for me now and again, when he’s in the mood, but that’s not often.”
