Page 93 of Suncatcher

The woman cracked a lopsided smile. “Sure am. And you’re Pearl’s large mystery lady friend.”

“I am?”

“I now see why she was so secretive.”

Driz ducked her chin. Pearl hadn’t wanted to tell anyone about her. “Do you know how she is?” Molly was the first person who had acknowledged her tonight.

“Doc says she’s improved, but still got a bit of a fever.”

Driz nodded. She didn’t know how bad a fever could be, but she clung to the improved part of what Molly said. “But she will be alright?”

“Seems so.”

For the first time since Pearl had collapsed in that cave, a fraction of Driz’s tension eased.

Molly held out the pie and Driz’s empty stomach cramped. She had not eaten since…she didn’t remember when.

“For me?” Driz asked, to make sure she understood.

“I hear you enjoyed the last one.”

So Pearl had talked about her, at least a little?

Driz carefully accepted the offered pie. “Thank you. My name is Driz.”

“Nice to meet you, Driz.”

She barely held herself back from falling on the dish. “Do you have a spoon?”

Molly grinned at her and held one out.

Driz’s face twitched to smile back, but she repressed it, to not startle Molly. She dug into the delicious pie instead. The spoon was frustratingly small, but perhaps it was for the best, as it slowed her down.

She scraped out the bottom of the pan, her wings sagging as she relaxed with the pleasure of having food in her.

Molly was watching her closely.

“Pearl told me you make the best pie,” Driz said. “I have never had another one to compare it to, but I cannot believe she was wrong.”

Molly winked, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. “You shouldn’t believe Pearl, doll. She’s a liar.”

Driz frowned.

“She told me you weren’t sweet,” Molly added, blowing smoke from her mouth and nose.

Driz wasn’t sure what that meant or how she should interpret it. But she was incredibly grateful to Molly for the food and for speaking to her. Driz looked down at the empty pan. “What shall I do with this?”

“I’ll wash it later,” Molly waved her hand. “Want one?” She offered a second cigarette.

Driz hesitated. Making sure not to touch Molly’s fingers, she accepted the glowing tube. She didn’t bring it to her lips, just held it near her face, watching the flickering glow and lightly inhaling the trailing smoke. It reminded her of Pearl, and of the one she had offered her. When she had told Driz she desired women. The night she had first kissed Driz. A kiss that hadn’t counted.

“What’re your intentions with Pearl?” Molly asked.

The stiffness in Driz’s back returned. “Intentions?”

“Yeah. Like what d’you want to happen?”

“I want her to be well again. I want to be with her.”