“I don’t got money for a malt,” Mal retorted.
“I’m buying,” Jag offered.
“That’d be awesome, if I wanted something.But…I…do…not.”
“So sit with me while I have a cherry Coke.”
With that, Mal lost it.
“Why can’t you just fuck off?”he bit.
And Jag immediately leaned over him, it was threatening, andhe meant it to be, but it was the wrong call.
Mal lurched back into the seat, his eyes widening in fear.
Okay, where did that response come from?
Jag eased back an inch physically as well as with hisattitude and again modulated his voice when he said, “I give a shit.I was atwork, Arch texted, and I jumped on my bike to listen to what you might have tosay.You don’t have anything to say, all right.But I’mhavin’a cherry Coke and I’mmakin’ you a malt or whateveryou want and we’re gonna just be.But we’re doing it together.You with a guywho cares and me there to listen if you decide to talk.So, will you go to thesoda fountain with me?”
Mal took a minute with that before he nodded.
Jagger straightened, and Mal slithered out of the chair.
They walked together to the fountain, or Jagger walked, Malslunk.
He didn’t miss Archie watching them, Joany standing besideher.
Archie looked worried.Joany looked irritated (and worried).
They were part of Mal’s village.
And so was Fabe.
Mal just needed to get that.
That and the fact that you didn’t shit in your village.
“Hop up,” he muttered when they got to the fountain.
Mal hoisted himself up on a stool.
Jagger went behind the counter.“What do you want?”
“Chocolate shake, made with syrup, not chocolate ice cream.”
That was specific for a kid who didn’t want anything.
Jag didn’t comment on that.
He put his hands to his hips and stared at the stuff behindthe counter, primarily the old-fashioned three-rod shake machine, then helooked at Mal.“Do you know how to work any of this shit?”
Mal stared at him open mouthed a second, then he cracked asmile.
Okay, the smile was good.
But Jag didn’t comment on that either.
Out of nowhere, Archie ordered, “Sit down, you goof, I’llmake your stuff.”
