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“That’s it?” I asked.
“Yep. That’s it.”
He seemed amazed by my bewilderment. He’d lived with this stuff for decades. Maybe even centuries? Of course it was old hat to him. To me? This sort of shit shouldn’t happen.
“What about a car?” I asked.
“I usually request one ahead of time, but ask Hank and he’ll get you something.” Dice walked over to settle himself on the couch in the lounge area.
Hankwould get me something? Me? There was a strong possibility of a bus pass in my future.
I opened the door and was slightly speechless when I walked out onto the bridge without anyone else helping me.
Hank gave me a nod as he headed my way. His face seemed especially blank of all emotion, which was an improvement from the usual annoyed look.
“Hi,” I said as he stopped beside me, and I wondered the best way to broach the car situation.
“Heard you might’ve annoyed someone over in Nowhere?” Hank asked, rocking back on his heels, arms crossed.
There was only one place this was going: Antoinette. She was going to be more problematic than I originally figured. I was doomed for a bus pass now.
I wasn’t rolling over and saying it was my fault. There was a limit to how much crap I’d take because of that woman.
“I believe the person you’re referring to hated me at first sight. Not much to be done about it.” I’d taken the bus before, and if my memory was correct, there was a stop not far from here.
The straight line of his mouth softened a little. “Well, if you’re not getting along with her, that’s okay. We aren’t all meant to get along with everyone, after all. I mean, take us bridge people, for instance.” He pointed to himself, looking more animated than I’d ever seen him. “Somemight not think we’re essential to business, might think we’re even beneath them, but without us, tinkers wouldn’t be able to tinker at all. They’d be lost half the time, landing in all sorts of crazy places. We’re extremely important to the structure.”
It looked like Antoinette had made more enemies than I might’ve imagined. I hated people who shit on the little guy.Iwas the little guy, or had been, and when someone trod all over you without even noticing, or caring, you never forgot that feeling.
“I can see it. Since I’ve been here, I’ve noticed you work harder than anyone else I’ve met.” It was true. He was always on this damned bridge, when the crew was laid out on the couches watching DVDs half the time.
He shrugged. “It’s not just me. There’s a lot of us bridge folk holding the line, making sure everything runs smoothly. I can’t take all the credit. You know, you should come meet the gang at some point. We get together from time to time down at The Deep.”
“I would love to. Just let me know when.”
“Are you looking for a car? I’ve got some really nice inventory today. I can hook you up.”
“You will? I’d really appreciate it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” He winked at me, and a few moments later, there was a Bentley in front of me.
I couldn’t even speak or move. He couldn’t mean I was going to get to drivethis.
“Keys are in the ignition. You’re good to go.”
I pointed to the car wordlessly.
He nodded.
My hands shook as I took the wheel.
I was standing in my favorite coffee shop a few hours later, waiting for a chai latte. I’d already dropped off a money order to the landlord, who had no clue who I was. After that, I’d run past my mother’s, dropping off bags of groceries.
It had taken her ten minutes to recognize me, and it wasn’t the booze. Would it take an hour next week? Would she not recognize me at all in a month?
As fun as it had been to drive the Bentley, have a huge new wardrobe of clothes and jewelry to wear, I had no one I trusted to talk to. No one to vent my concerns to, or just plain old vent. I was surrounded by people but felt like I was on an island by myself.
“Chai latte for Billie,” the barista called out, placing a cup on the counter.
