Hide and Seek

"So think about it. What if something did? Would you want that?"

"You want me to think about it right now?"

"You going anywhere?"

"No."

So I did. It was a hell of an odd question right off the bat like that

but I gave it some thought. And while I was doing that I was wondering

why she'd asked.

"I guess I might. Yeah."

"Good."

"Why good?"

"You're cute."

"So?"

"So I couldn't be bothered if you were stupid."

There wasn't much to say to that. The road wound by. I watched her

staring out the window. The sun was going down. There were bright

streaks of red in her hair. The line of neck to shoulder was very soft

and graceful.

We were coming into town. Willoughby was just on the outskirts, the

closest thing we could claim to a grouping of "better" houses.

"You'd better pull up here."

"You're not going home?"

She laughed. "Not in this. Pull up here."

I thought she meant the bathingsuit, that her parents were strict about

that. It was pretty skimpy. I pulled the car off to the shoulder and

cut the engine. I reached for the keys.

"Leave them."

She opened the door and stepped out.

"I don't get it. What are you going to do about the car?"

She was already walking away. I slammed the door and caught up with

her.

"I'm going to leave it here."

"With keys in the ignition?"

"Sure."

Suddenly it dawned on me.

"I think you'd better tell me your name. So I know where to send them

when they come for me."