She swallowed the lump in her throat. “That’s incredibly generous.”
She was especially touched by Bear’s donation. He’d grown up by himself in the mountains after a fever had killed off his family. That same fever had left him with brain damage. He was big and had a bushy beard—hence the nickname. But he was as gentle as a child and as poor as a monk.
“Hey, we take care of our own. Oh, I almost forgot. Rose is giving free tarot and aura readings in exchange for a donation of twenty dollars or more.”
That last one made Megs laugh. Rose was the town’s psychic, astrologer, tarot card reader, past-life therapist, sex toy consultant, and lead gossip. She dressed like a runner-up at a Stevie Nicks costume contest. Mitch had always described her as a flower child who didn’t know that the Sixties were officially over. Still…
“Please let them know how grateful I am for everyone’s generosity and support. This would be so much harder if it weren’t for their kindness. And thanks to you and Joe for that hotel room. It’s been a godsend.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
Megs shared what positive news she had. “The fever isn’t sepsis or infection. Also, the doctor ran a special kind of scan that showed a big increase in Mitch’s brain activity while he was listening to my voice. Even I could see the difference between the scans. When he hears my voice, his brain just lights up.”
“Oh, Megs! That chokes me up. Even in a coma, he knows your voice.”
“Thanks so much for that recorder and for bringing the journal. It’s been an interesting trip down memory lane.”
“You’re welcome! Please let us know if you need anything else.”
“Will do. Thanks.” Megs ended the call, dumped her lunch into the compost bin, and rode the elevator back upstairs, eager to return to Mitch and his journal.
Mitch satin the passenger seat of Dean’s van as they drove into the Village for supplies, D’yer Makerfrom Led Zeppelin’s latest blasting on Dean’s eight-track player, the two of them singing along. They parked outside the Village store and walked inside. Mitch took a small cart and began filling it with canned food, soap, dish soap, toilet paper, and other necessaries. But he hadn’t seen the one thing he’d hoped to buy.
Condoms.
They weren’t with the medicine. They weren’t with the women’s hygiene products. They weren’t with the toothpaste.
He and Megs had spent the past few days making out every time they got the chance, sneaking away from camp to kiss and talk. He’d kissed her in every way he could, kissed her until he thought he might spontaneously combust, until she’d pleaded for more. But he’d made sure their clothes stayed on. It was hard to stay in control once the heavy petting started, and he didn’t want to put their futures at risk by getting her pregnant. They wanted to climb, not change diapers.
Hehadto find condoms.
He walked up to the counter, glanced over his shoulder to make sure Dean wasn’t listening. “Do you sell condoms?”
The man, a heavyset older guy with a gray crewcut, looked disapprovingly down at Mitch and pointed. “They’re in the men’s room.”
Mitch turned to walk in that direction.
“Hey!” The man held out a meaty hand. “Leave the cart here. You’re going to need change—fifty cents each.”
Mitch put a five-dollar bill into the man’s palm and got three dollar bills and eight quarters in change. “Thanks.”
He walked into the men’s room, saw the dispenser on the wall. It offered three types, each one accompanied by cartoon images of half-naked, big-breasted women with eyes closed and mouths open. Arouse. Sensation. Pandora’s Box.
“Hell.” The last time he’d bought condoms, he’d been at a pharmacy, and they’d come in packages with information on the box. He wasn’t sure what he’d be getting today—or how good they would be. With no idea which was better, he bought one of each and was just picking them out of the dispenser when Dean walked in.
Mitch quickly slipped the packets into his pocket. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Dean headed to the urinal and unzipped his fly. If he’d noticed the condoms, he didn’t say anything about it.
Mitch walked back to the register and paid for his supplies. He was waiting by Dean’s van when Dean walked out.
They headed back toward Camp 4.
Dean glanced over. “You’re spending a lot of time alone with Megs.”
So, hehadnoticed the condoms.
Damn.
