Succubs on Top Page 0,50

I asked gently.

She had stopped digging too and stared absentmindedly at the bulb she held. "I don't think anyone's beyond help. But Dana...I mean, she's so smart. She knows more than me about this stuff. I trust what she says."

"Nothing wrong with questioning."

"Yeah, I suppose. It's just, well, she's been a good friend to me." Her eyes focused on something not here, something far away and long ago. "A couple years ago, Jack and I had some, you know, problems. I mean, it happens right? No relationship's perfect."

"No," I agreed grimly.

"Anyway, she helped me work through that. I feel sort of..."

"Obligated?"

Jody fumbled. "I-I don't know. I guess so. Sometimes, she's hard to know...like she can surprise you with things you never saw coming. Other times..." She shook her head and gave a nervous laugh. "I don't know what I'm saying. She's wonderful. The most amazing person I've ever met. She does so much good."

She changed the subject abruptly after that, and I let her. We moved on to happier topics, and I found myself laughing along with her and enjoying her company. At one point, I ran into Bastien's kitchen and made us hot chocolate. We drank it outside as we finished the last of our plants, finally sitting back and admiring our handiwork. Despite my initial misgivings, I kind of liked accomplishing something so tangible.

"Look," said Jody. "Dana just came home."

Sure enough, Dana's Explorer pulled in next door, and a moment later, the woman herself strolled over. She graced us with one of those ice-bitch smiles.

"This looks cozy."

Jody's earlier bubbly nature seemed somewhat diminished. "Tabitha needed some gardening help, so I came over."

"Wasn't that nice of you."

Dana gave the other woman a look I couldn't interpret, save that disapproval and possibly anger underscored it. Although I had been arguing to the contrary with Bastien, I got the feeling I might truly have pissed off Dana more than I'd suspected, creating the bad impression he kept accusing me of. It looked like Dana may even have voiced her opinions of me to Jody.

I watched Jody's face pass through a range of emotions. I felt pretty confident there was more iron in there than her surface showed, and for a half a second she looked as though she might lash out in defiance. Then, after a moment's eye contact, she looked away, backing down.

Perhaps I should have simpered just then and tried to weasel into Dana's good graces, but mostly I felt angry at what I perceived as her chastisement. She had no right to do that Jody.

"It was incredibly nice," I said sharply. "Jody's one of those rare, honestly good people in the world. Not just one who pretends to be. But of course you already know that."

Jody blushed furiously, and the edges of Dana's smile twitched a little. "Yes. Yes, she is. How's your ankle doing?"

"Good as new."

"Glad to hear it."

We all waited in awkward silence. I decided I would wait out Dana this time, no matter how scary that stare. She, of course, was a master of waiting, so it wasn't a surprise when Jody was the one who cracked. Honestly, I couldn't blame her.

"Well. Jack should be home soon. I should get going."

I stood up with her and helped her gather the tools. We all exchanged a few more stiff remarks, then parted ways.

"What happened? What happened?" exclaimed Bastien when I came back inside. "I saw Dana out there."

"Nothing new. Jody's a saint; Dana's a bitch. I hope you hurry up and get this done with."

"Damn it, I'm trying! I don't suppose you found out anything useful?"

"Not really...although, I think Jody knows something about Dana. Something juicy enough even for you. She wouldn't tell me exactly what."

The incubus clung to this piece of information like a dog with a bone. "You've got to find out what! Call her up tomorrow. Take her to lunch."

"Jesus, Bastien. I like her, but I'm not doing your work for you. This is your show, remember? Besides, I do have a life, you know. "

He scowled. "That's up for debate."

"Why are you so worked up about this Dana thing anyway? I mean, I'd love to see her fall, but the way you're acting...I don't know. It's totally pushing you over the edge."

"Why shouldn't I be worked up? Just because you don't play the soul game anymore doesn't mean the rest of us don't have an eye on our careers."

I knew Bastien too well not to suspect there was some other reason we