Coco
What did I miss? I don’t know if I can go a week between updates. Y’all have to stop leaving me out.
Lindsey’s fingers are flying, and I haven’t even finished reading when the woosh of a sent message fills the air. It pops up on my screen as well.
Lindsey
I owe you. Again.
Coco
I KNEW IT!!! I knew the Fireside Ladies wouldn’t let us down. The Palm is Sacred!
I have something to say now.
Melody
Don’t compliment them! The Fireside Ladies totally let me down when my GPS broke, and I needed to get him to the airport.
Coco
They were working in their mysterious ways. They didn’t help you because they knew it would make you mad and you’d start your show focused entirely on him and it would make him a better player and it would eventually turn into true love.
Lindsey leans back in her chair, sighing happily as she looks at me. “It’s true.”
Shaking my head, I reply quickly.
Melody
That is a lot of mental gymnastics. I prefer the simple answer, which is always the right one. Our paths crossed in a negative way, and we figured out how to turn that negative into a positive.
Coco
Potato, Potahto. You say it your way, and I’ll say it mine.
Shaking my head, I look up at Lindsey. “You know I’m right about this. There are no ancient witches who perform spells over shots of tequila.”
My friend holds up both hands. “I don’t know anything. My mamma raised me on the Fireside Ladies, and I’m not doubting their power. They brought your dad back.”
“Oh my gosh!” I groan, standing and going to my bedroom to change into something fresh and clean. “I’m going out for a few hours. Try not to start a cult while I’m gone.”
“Haha, nice deflection.”
“I’ll see you after lunch. Don’t tell anyone about the baby… but let me know if it comes out.”
I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Knox Bradford can’t keep a secret. Lindsey only waves after me.
A few minutes later, I’m on the streetcar, leaning on an open window and watching the tourists lining up outside of famous restaurants along the route as the wind blows back my hair.
The streetcars are only a dollar twenty-five to ride, and they run all over the Central Business District and from the park all the way down to Canal Street.
It’s cooler this time of year, and the grimy smells that rise off the New Orleans pavements in the long, hot summer have dissipated. I’m still catching the faint scent of peppermint from my upper lip, and I remember the state I found him in when I arrived at his door last night.
It makes me laugh, and I take out my phone, sending a quick text.
Melody
How in the world did your dad find out about Stinkbalm? It’s truly a game changer.
