junior high girls joking about body parts. It was awesome. I felt like maybe this trip, this adventure would turn out okay after all.
We were interrupted by Michael. “Good morning, ladies,” he said. “And I think you’ve probably had enough coffee. Already.”
“Howzit, mate,” Ellie said.
I smiled. I was glad to see him, glad to see he was in a good mood. “Hi. It’s really good to see you,” I said, hoping he could tell by the look in my eyes that I was as sincere as I could be.
“You too,” he said, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek.
My temperature rose by degrees, coloring my face. I could feel it. “Hey,” I said, grabbing his hand, “you really don’t want to try the coffee. I promise.”
He laughed as he sat beside me. “Okay, then.”
“And by the way, first things first. I’m really sorry if I’ve been horrible to you lately.”
He looked shocked. “If?!” He held my gaze powerfully for a moment. Then a smile broke across his face. He was flirting with me. “All is forgiven, my love. And thank you.”
I just sat there and beamed. “So…you’re doing well today then?” I didn’t want to broach the subject of Marc and having to bury the bodies of little boys, however demonic they might have been. I didn’t want to ask him about the Bloodstone that I knew beyond shadow of doubt he now carried. That he must carry, no matter how chipper he appeared to be. I was worried, but I let it go for now.
He squeezed my hand. “Yeah.”
I looked at Ellie and she gave a little tick of the head in signification of the affirmative. All was well. I was learning to trust, even if I didn’t know why Michael chose not to let me know about the Bloodstone. I loved and trusted him enough to know that he had a good reason for it. For now.
“Where’s Kim?” I asked.
“Speak of the devil,” came a voice from outside our little enclave. It was Kim.
She looked…well…sexy. That’s the only way to describe it. She was wearing a cute sundress and sandals, but there was nothing innocent or wholesome about her look. Sure, she looked well, but there was something just slightly off about her. It wasn’t necessarily a new look for her either; I had known her to use it on occasion before. But it was a marked change from how Ellie and I had seen her in the room just a few hours ago.
“Wow, Kim! Glad to see you’re…you’re up,” I said, bewildered at how well… -ish… she had cleaned up. “I was just coming to check on you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m here now, so no need.” She yawned and stretched herself like a lioness, making the dress pull at her body and slide over her feminine curves.
I cleared my throat, embarrassed for her. “Coffee?” I thumbed over my shoulder in the general direction of the dispenser of hot brown industrial grade paint thinners. I caught Ellie’s eye and shrugged with a grimace. What else could be next with Kim? Welcome, Awkward Woman! Superheroine of the weird. Thanks for showing up to torture all of us with your undiluted and latently sexual oddness.
“Oh, thanks! Yeah,” she said, grabbing herself a cup and filling it to the brim. She took a sip. She growled with deep satisfaction, like she was selling breakfast cereal in one of those cheesy old TV commercials from when I was a kid. “Oh, man! This is so good.”
“Do you want mine?” Ellie said, and I kicked her, trying hard not to laugh.
Kim didn’t notice. “Oh! Hey,” she addressed Ellie, “Thanks for getting me my new bag, Ellie. I really needed one and I really like it.” She twisted around so we could see it. It was a bright pink backpack for elementary school girls, with an enormous Hello Kitty cartoon on it.
“Oh, you’re welcome, love,” Ellie said. “It suits you.”
Kim dropped her jaw and gasped in pantomime excitement, “I know, right?!” She took another sip, gulping the coffee like a lumberjack.
Dear God, she is acting weird.
“Dude! Okay, who wants breakfast?” She was being just slightly too loud, and people were turning to notice the disturbance. “I do!” she raised her hand shouting like a cheerleader, and then burst into maniacal laughter.
“Kim!” I hissed, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the front doors. “What did you do, bathe in whiskey this morning?” And drink most of it? “What is wrong with you?” I looked