laptops. I text more often than that. The distance between Shasta and Ellsberg only takes an hour to erase, but I miss her so much some days that I feel ill. The homesickness never completely leaves me.
“I got a note from Goliath,” I tell her one morning while holding my newest nephew, Ozzy. The little man is sound asleep and drooling on my shirt.
Wearing her long, brown hair in a messy bun, Mom is bundled up in a pink sweater and sipping from a “Best Mommy” coffee cup. Her brown eyes warm as she asks, “Like a love letter?”
“No. It’s his test results from a clinic.”
“Oh,” Mom says and frowns. “Why would he give you that?”
“I went out to his trailer and asked for sex, but then I started worrying that he’d give me something. I think this is his way of saying he’s safe.”
“Oh,” Mom mumbles, clearly wanting me to stay far away from Goliath. Of course, her feelings are tainted by Shane’s complete meltdown over me with the giant.
“I feel as if I won’t be able to stop thinking about him until I explore his naked body.”
“Oh,” Mom says as her frown shifts into an expression between horrified and amused. “Then have sex with him. You can do that, right?”
“Sure, I’m super sexual,” I lie.
“You should do it. Go wild. If you don’t like it, you just tell him to buzz off.”
Sharing my mom’s smile, I love how she supports me no matter what crazy shit I do. That kind of love made me fearless. Well, until my teen years, when I realized fear has value. Feeling scared keeps a person alert. Alert people are less likely to get surprised by danger. Where’s the downside?
Today, though, fear doesn’t stop me. After Ramona returns home from work, I hand off my baby nephew. Then I take a long shower and shave what needs shaving and pamper what will soon be aching. I text a few people to find out where Goliath is currently located. Learning he’s at his trailer in the woods, I make the decision.
Today, I’m getting laid!
I swipe an edible from the stash in the cabinet and toss the brownie in my mouth. Then I’m on the road.
I drive my SUV rather than my motorcycle, figuring my lucky charms might soon require more comfort than the hog can offer.
Arriving at Goliath’s trailer, I check my appearance twenty-three times before finally climbing out. The pot hasn’t kicked in yet, and I’m hella nervous. I actually climb back into the SUV for a few minutes and listen to “Just A Friend” by Biz Markie to settle my nerves.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the trailer door open. The big, sexy, shirtless asshole steps outside, and I wait to see if a woman appears from behind him. Instead, he just crosses his thick arms and frowns at the sight of me rocking out in my SUV.
Turning off the engine, I exit the vehicle and saunter toward him. “I got your romantic gesture,” I say as if my heart isn’t pounding like a jackhammer.
“What makes you think I’m alone?”
Hesitating, I lose my smile. “You’re such a whore.”
“Don’t hurt yourself with that pout. I just asked a question.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yomp.”
“Have you had the chance to catch any diseases since your tests?”
“Nomp.”
“Can I come inside and ride your dick?”
“Maybe.”
Fighting annoyance, I ask, “Why, maybe?”
“I don’t know if I’m in the mood for your drama right now. Still sore about you talking to my mom.”
I stroll up to Goliath and size him up. “Why are you such a tease?”
“Fuck off, Campbell.”
Losing my confidence, I’m struck by panic. “I need to get out of here,” I say and back away toward my car. “You’ve got an attitude problem.”
I glance back to find Goliath coming for me. Maybe it’s his size or that we’re in an oppressive slice of woods or that I’ve seen way too many horror movies. Whatever the reason, I take off running. When I realize I can’t get my keys out of my pocket before he reaches me, I curve around my SUV and try to escape him.
“Stop running,” Goliath growls at me.
“Stop chasing me!” I cry over my shoulder.
Then I morph into the first girl to die in a horror movie by tripping over literally nothing and ending up on my ass. Catching up, Goliath stares down at me as I remain on the ground.