“What is electricity?”
I think about it for a moment, but all I can really remember is that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb or maybe stole the idea or something. Who knows. I paid very little attention in school at that age. I was too busy stealing everyone’s magic and causing a ruckus for a bit of attention.
“Riley, explain electricity to me.”
I stare at the man and decide that I probably should have left him to believe that it was magic. “Well… you have these wires and like a turbine… thing…”
“What’s a turbine?”
“This… thing… that… yeah, it’s magic,” I decide.
Torin nods approvingly. “Can you use your magic box to heat that pizza?”
“We ate pizza for damn near every meal yesterday besides the donuts; I’m not getting you more freaking pizza. What about… pancakes? I have time to make those before we leave.”
“Sounds disgusting. I would prefer pizza.”
“It’s illegal to eat pizza two days in a row,” I say.
“Good thing it’s day three, then.”
I ignore him and slowly get up as I question how he has so much energy. I guess he’s a god, after all. “How many hours did you sleep last night?”
“Two! And then I read more dick-on-dick graphic novels. I really think I’m getting the hang of this English language.” He clears his throat. “Your dick is too big! It’s not going to fit!” he says in perfect English. “But it always fits.”
I just sigh and start toward the bathroom before halting. “You use my bed for only two hours, but I have to sleep all night on that cramped couch?”
“I already told you I would embrace you with strong arms in the bed.”
I scowl and hurry into the bathroom to get ready for work before coming out and finding him holding a piece of cold pizza.
“Put it back.”
Torin looks like a child who got caught sneaking sweets. “You’re so mean to me. Do you realize that gods should be worshiped? Loved? Treated like… you know… a god?”
“Yeah? The only thing I believe in is my half-assed will to keep myself alive,” I say as I push him out of the way and begin making pancakes.
He’simmediatelybehind me. “What are you doing? Why aren’t you wearing an apron with no clothes underneath?”
“I’m burning all of those books.”
Torin laughs, enjoying every part of this. “No! They are my treasures. All I know is that you’re playing ‘hard to get,’ and I’m the charming sexy one who everyone wants.”
I glower at him while I pour just enough batter in the pan to make a pancake about the size of a quarter. “This is all you get.”
“It’s no wonder you’re single at your age.”
“How old are you, and where are all of your wives or husbands?”
“I am nine hundred and ninety-nine years old, and I’m a god of love. A god of love does not get tied down. We love any and everyone.”
I scoop his pancake up and place it on a plate where it looks even smaller. Then I scrape a miniscule amount of butter onto it and add a single drop of syrup.
“Enjoy.”
He stares at it then tries his smile on me. When it doesn’t work at all, he narrows his eyes. “I have never had anyone not want me before and it makes me wildly turned on when you don’t.”
“Oh joy,” I say sarcastically as he pops the pancake in his mouth and freezes.
