Page 53 of Blind Kiss

The hot mom was still checking me out as she got closer to the front of the line. “Are you trying to sabotage everything for me, P? I could have fun with someone like her.”

“She’s married. Kind of a hussy, though. She probably has hep C.”

“You’re so judgmental. No wonder why you have no friends here.”

“I have friends. Ling’s my friend.”

“Ling lives in another state.”

“And I like Crystal, my neighbor. You’ll meet her in a bit. We’ve been to a couple of happy hours together.”

“What does ‘been to a happy hour’ mean?” The hot mom came up to the table and I turned my full attention to her. “Hellooooo,” I said, smiling wide.

“I need two tickets to parents night.” She looked me up and down but I couldn’t tell if she liked what she saw, or if she was intimidated by the prison thing.

“Do you need a date for it?” I asked.

She giggled. She was still into me despite my fake criminal record. Handing over a wad of cash, she let her hand linger in mine for a few seconds longer than necessary. Penny fake-sneezed on our connected hands. The woman pulled out of my grasp and scowled at Penny.

“Oh, sorry. Better wash up; I’ve had an icky cold for a month now. Thanks for supporting the PTA. See you soon!”

As the hot mom walked away, I turned to Penny. “You have no shame.”

“Always playing with fire, Gavin. I told you, she’s married.”

“So are you. It’s more fun to play with fire.”

“Don’t be that guy.” She elbowed me in the side. “Here comes Crystal.” A thin, slightly disheveled woman in her forties walked up and hugged Penny.

“Morning, lovely. I haven’t seen you in a while,” Crystal said.

“Crystal, this is Gavin.” Penny jutted a thumb at me.

“Oh, hey. Penny’s told me a lot about you.”

I can’t imagine what Penny would say about me. Probably nothing nice. I smiled. “Really? Huh. Well, nice to meet you.” I shook her hand. Immediately, I knew Crystal wasn’t the type to be intimidated easily, or be jealous. That’s exactly the kind of friend Penny needed.

“Let’s get a drink soon,” she said to Penny.

“Yes, soon,” Penny replied.

IN THE CARon the way home I said, “Why didn’t you make a concrete plan with Crystal? That’s what you have to do to maintain friendships.”

“Don’t worry about me. Crystal’s divorced with four kids. She’s really cool but she’s got a lot going on. I’ll see her when I see her.”

It started to snow and the roads were slick with ice. “Slow down,” I told her. “Nice way to drop in that detail about her being divorced, by the way. But you know she’s not my type.”

“Why? Because she doesn’t look like a supermodel or a tatted-up emo chick?”

“Slow the fuck down, Penny, you’re scaring me. Pull over, please, and let me drive.”

She huffed and puffed as she pulled into a parking lot. “Why do you think I’m such a bad driver?”

“Because youarea bad driver. You’ve been in four car accidents in the last two years.”

“Fender benders.”

“Just get out and let me drive.”