“Holy mother… Well, you got yourself into this. Think of something to get yourself out.”
“This is a very delicate operation. Let’s see, I could…” She shifted one hand quickly, so she didn’t twist her wrist on the dismount. Then she swung the other leg up behind her and braced that knee at the top. At last, she sprung away from the gate and landed on the concrete walkway on the other side. “There!”
“Very impressive.” Roz crossed her arms and stayed where she was.
“Now you try it.”
“Hell no! I might want to have children someday.”
“If I can do it….”
Roz gestured to her own body with both hands. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I weigh a little more than you. I don’t think I could support my weight on my hands like you did.”
Merry tipped her head. “Of course you can. Just lock your elbows.”
“Yeah, and break my wrists. Look, Merry, I love you and everything, but I can’t do this.”
“But you were going to be my witness. I can’t do this without you.” Merry knew she was whining but didn’t care. Whatever it took. Shehadto confront this woman.
“Look, I’m sorry. Maybe I can witness your conversation from here. Just refuse to go inside. That might not be a bad idea, anyway. You wouldn’t want to give her access to her gun.”
“What makes you think she has a gun?”
At that moment, the front door opened and revealed a tall, fit man with brown hair askew. “Can I help you?” he asked.
“Oh, uh… Is this where Lila Crum lives?” Merry asked.
The man eyed both of them with suspicion and crossed his arms. “What business do you have with Lila?”
“It’s personal,” Merry said, as she trotted up the steps.
A female voice from inside the house called out, “Kevin, who are you talking to?”
The man continued staring at Merry and said, “She isn’t feeling very well right now.”
“This won’t take long. Can you ask her to come to the door?”
“For fuck’s sake, Kevin!” the voice yelled. “I asked who you’re talking to.”
Merry yelled around him. “Look, I just want to talk to you for a minute.”
“Go away,” yelled the voice. “I don’t want to hear about your religion or anything else you’re selling.”
The guy at the door didn’t appear to like being ordered around. His lips thinned as he glanced back into the house. “They’re not selling anything, Lila. Get out here and talk to them.” He left Merry there with the door open and strolled out of view.
Merry turned to Roz and shrugged as if to say,What do I do now?
Roz shook her head vehemently, so Merry waited on the doorstep.
Before long the guy reappeared wearing a jacket and called back over his shoulder, “I’m going, Lila.You’re welcomefor last night.”
“Wait!” the woman yelled.
The guy rolled his eyes and waited next to Merry. She just had to ask, “Are you her boyfriend?”
“No. I’m her bartender.” He called back into the house, “I have to get home. I need to change and get to work so the fun can begin all over again.”
“You do this for all your customers?”
