“No. Sun’s out and it’s already as hot as a full bag of dicks in a dick sauna. Is it raining where youare?”
“Uh, yeah a littlebit.”
“I know, I know. I won’t ask. I’m justwondering.”
“I didn’t sayanything.”
“I know, but you’re rightfully paranoid. I snooped down at the D.A.’s office a bit yesterday. Your boy had mad priors, son,” she says in that voice that always makes me laugh. “Whatever… it sounds like you got a real piece of shit off the street. If that makes you feel anybetter.”
“It kind of does, but stop snooping, Brook. I don’t want you involved in this at all. Please. I only have onesister.”
“Okay!” she says defensively the way she does when I’m momming her too much, and then her tone softens. “But you’re okay,right?”
“I’m fine. I’m holed up in a nice place with a dude the size of a small building who has strict orders to keep an eye on me. I’mfine.”
“But you don’t know when you’re comingback?”
“Hopefully soon, like in a few days. I’m going to make some calls today and hopefully get some more info, and you’ll be the first toknow.”
“Well just make sure you get your undercover justice before Claudia’s bachelorette weekend. We booked the spa packages. I mean, this is really important, Lizzie. You gotta be there. We’ll get you a prosthetic nose and chin. Some fake teeth. No one will know it’syou.”
I laugh a bit hysterically and open the microwave. The burrito inside is the size of my forearm, wrapped in foil and paper. BACON EGG CHEESE HASHBROWN is scrawled on the paper in black pencil. I touch it. It’s still warm. “I’ll definitely come out of hiding for that. Now that I know there are fake teeth on thetable.”
“I miss you,” shesays.
“I miss you too, Brookie. Text me when you’re done for the day. I’ll talk to youthen.”
“Liz,wait!”
“Yeah?”
“This guy you’re with. How’s helook?”
“Busted.”
“Yeah?”
“Real busted. His face is all fucked up. Plus he’s old. He’s just large and scary looking, pretty sure he’s strapped. He owns a gas station. He’s definitely the right man to scare off any more repeatoffenders.”
“Good. Loveyou.”
“Love you too.” I say my goodbye and hit end on the call. Then I textScott.
Too early to checkin?
Ilookup as I wait for his reply and I realize I’m not alone in the kitchen. Allfivedogs have joined me. Joe has somehow fallen asleep again, curled up in his old man ball in the corner under this old bread box stand, but Honeycrisp, Gala, Hank and Morty are just sitting there, like they are looking for someguidance.
“I’m not sure what you guys want from me, but I’m going to get my computer and enjoy this burrito and this coffee your actual owner picked up for me. You guys are on your own.” Since they are dogs, there’s no verbal response. Hank does sniff the side of Morty’s head though as my phone vibrates with Scott’sreply.
Of course not. Nothingyet.
I’m gonna talk to Tillery at4.
How are you holdingup?
Si talking shit aboutme?
He adds a laughing emoji.For some reason, I don’t like that question. Or the emoji. Even though Silas talks plenty of shit about Scott whenever his name comes up. I text himback.
