EXIT 222
like he
could resist that
he was a numbers junkie a slave to
figuresthey ticked off in his head ran across the face of digital clocks
ascendingdescending 12:34 6:54 3:45 3:21 static 11:11 liked more than he cared to admit
11:11 12:12 that morning as he hit the road it was 9:09 09:09 his mind argued
Shaddup his interior dialogue the jibs the jabs argument
settled reasonedtodeath no turning back
EXIT 222
leered at him from the green informational
sign along the 101
1 MILE
he could relieve his bladder now tank up get a bite
he ran up the long inclined ramp
to Santa Cruz
to the left was an In ‘N Out right gas at Circle K beef jerky
no
argument
right gas up doubleback for burgers shake nix
the jerky he didnt want to be sucking it out of his teeth for the next hour
Santa Cruz shined black wet on
and off showers Circle Ks neon scribbled
the asphalt ahead of him the rain rode on the gusting
breeze the canopy above the gas tanks a
red sliver throwing light down wasnt going to provide cover from it
ah it wasnt half a tank he was topping off hed be refreshed Well be refreshed
Always the last fuckin word with you man Not
always he only shook his head as he entered the station
slipping left past PUMP
2 onto PUMP 4 being courteous because he was Because
you got a glimpse of someone at 3 he had they
concurred a flash of white cotton between
the pylons supporting the canopy and the gas tanks
he didnt mind he called
himself out he wasnt obvious some guys were oblivious to their obviousness asif they were due it was their right he just lifted his eyesthanked his lucky
starsnever looked a gift horse in the mouth
he killed the engine popped the
gas cover with the lever by his knee
he opened the glove box a flash of white directly
oppositeright of him shortsleeve arm
and took out an envelope he kept his receipts in making notes of his mileage his wallet was behind it
he took out a twenty and a sawbuck he figured a return of change prices had gone down out of the corner of his eye a shake of
dirtyblonde hair it hung over her
shoulder as she reached into her car through the open door on the drivers
side
as he exited his car walked along
and turned left behind it the rain suddenly picked up the wind blew AwChrist he heard her mutter he
saw her back shiver as she stood uprightlike someone would if you slipped an
icecube down their backBAM the gas nozzle fell out of her
car she spunfacing it but he already had crossed to it snagged it up and was snapping the handle lever to kill
the flow of gas he startled hershe
jumped involuntarily she jiggled she
would have won handsdown a wet tshirt contest if they had one in the moment
Why dont you get back in the car
out of the rain Ill finish this for you
No. You don’t have to . .
.
. I dont Warm up in the car Ill finish this
Are you sure?
I am as sure as youre getting wetter
inadvertently she shivered again Shivers become her
Then if you’re sure. Thank you.
Atta girl Youre welcome
he glimpsed her watching him
through the sideview mirror not turning
her head using her eyes Subtle
when he finished pumping the gas
he collected the receipt and gently rapped on the window
she rolled it down all the way
There you go beautiful
Thank you.
You’re all wet.
he broke his eyes from hers looked
at her peaked breasts looked at her messed hair looked back in her face So are you
she laughedshe didnt cover her
mouth
he laughed with her
Say she said I was going to have
a cup of coffee, a bite to eat at In ‘N Out . .
.
. Was my plan too . .
. . Ohgoodness!
Perhaps were likeminded
she smiled Perhaps we are.
Could I buy you a cup of coffee?
Id enjoy that thank you
Oh. You’re welcome.
Ill finish gassing my car and
join you
Okay. her wide eyes shined Circle K neon scribbled in them Okay. That would be nice.
Itll be very nice Off you go Ill walk behind you so you dont run me over
she burst into another gale of
laughter interrupted it You’re funny! and continued laughing
he could hear her laughing at his
back over her engine as she started the car and pulled away
Walk
behind you so you dont run me over Shaddup
1737, Saturday,
19 1. 19
1123, Sunday,
20 1. 19
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