“Aside from the fact that that seems like a slightly apocalyptic scenario, I really don’t think Linda will get pregnant. And she’s too smart for that.”
“Hey, are you calling me stupid by any chance?”
“Not stupid but maybe naive. And Linda’s not naive—she’s sharp as a razor blade. Trust her; she’s your daughter!”
“I do trust her; it’s him I don’t trust.”
“He doesn’t even know how to find his dick in his underwear.”
“Maybe you’re right,” she grumbles, biting her lip. “I’m catastrophizing.”
“You’re catastrophizing.”
“Maybe we should leave. What do you think, Michael?”
“Quickly and quietly,” I agree. “Anyway, call me crazy, but I’m happy our first time wasn’t wasted on a public park.”
“Did you really say ‘wasted’?”
“Yes, it would have been a waste,” I confirm.
“And what do you have in mind?”
“Something better. Something special.” I give her one last kiss before leaving our refuge. “Can you give me a week?”
“I don’t know if I can wait that long.”
“It will be worth it, I promise,” I reassure her.
“You’re not very good at making promises.”
“This time, trust me.”
She pulls her hair back as I tuck my shirt into my pants, and together we emerge from our hiding place.
A thump followed by a dull ache and a wave of dizziness knocks me to the ground, bringing Elisa with me.
“Christ, what a blow!” I say, touching my head.
“Are you okay?” Elisa leans over me, worried. “What happened?”
“I hit my head on the roof. I hope I don’t have a head injury.”
“Should I call an ambulance?”
“No, no, ask me a question and see if I can answer you.”
“Okay.” She starts waving her hand in front of my eyes.
“How many fingers?”
“Five.”
She looks at me with panic in her eyes. “Oh, my God! Michael, there are four.”
“No, there are five,” I reply confidently.
“One, two, three, four,” she insists, touching her index, middle, ring finger, and little finger. “Four.”
