Ticket 1207 by Robin Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

Shawn stared at the floor for a moment. “That’s not the truth, but it’s what I tell everyone. My mom tried to murder my dad when she caught him in a hotel with a hooker. Fortunately, homicide wasn’t her specialty, or throwing for that matter. She tried to toss a Molotov cocktail through the hotel room window and somehow hit the ancient courthouse next door. The building was being restored at the time, and it was the only landmark left in the town. It went up like a tinderbox soaked in kerosene. Firebug Fran went back to drinking after she was released from prison, so we don’t have much of a relationship. Of course, she and Reckless Peter are divorced now. That’s what everybody in town calls them. I thought it was probably best not to go back there after I graduated.”
    Jill pursed her lips. “Are you serious?”
    “You can laugh. I laugh about it…now. Back then, it was just mortifying. Needless to say, I’ve never gone to any of my high school reunions. Are you close to your family?”
    “Just Rene. I love my mother, but she’s from a galaxy far, far away. Sometimes, it seems that we don’t even speak the same language. I’m a lot like my dad was, and my siblings are just like my mother. Dad passed away a few years ago, which makes the holidays particularly sucky. He was my buffer at family functions and would keep Mom off my back. She likes to nag a lot, especially if she knows she hit a nerve. Tomorrow night, I’ll make an appearance, then sneak out.”
    Both of them were quiet for a moment, then Shawn said, “This is the awkward silence I’m famous for. I’m trying to think of something intelligent and thought-provoking to say, but there are just tumbleweeds blowing through my head.”
    “I can help. Where do you live?”
    “I have an apartment in the business district not far from here.”
    Jill smiled. “Pets?”
    “A cactus, his name is Sticker. He’s really low maintenance.”
    “How do you know it’s male?”
    “He’s twelve inches tall with a six-inch penis. My best friend, Vera, bought it for me for my birthday because she thought it was hysterical.” Shawn smiled. “It kinda is.” She held up her arms like a referee does when someone scores a touchdown. “His arms are like this, and his…appendage is sticking out there for all to see.”
    “I take it Vera’s straight since she was so drawn to…Sticker.”
    “Yes, she was my dorm mate in college, and we ended up getting a ratty apartment together. Vera’s a speech pathologist, she works with children who have impediments. She says her greatest desire is to marry the right man, but she only dates the ones she knows she can’t keep.”
    “Sounds like a fear of commitment,” Jill said as she swirled the wine in her glass.
    “I don’t think I’d describe it as a fear, more like an absolute hatred for being tied to anything. Vera won’t subscribe to any cable or phone service that requires a contract because ‘it’s too confining.’”
    Jill smiled. “How do you feel about confinement ?”
    “I have no fear or dislike of commitment, as long as it’s with the right woman. How about you?”
    “I feel exactly the same way.”
    Shawn scrubbed her hands together. “Okay, so that’s out of the way. Are you ready to take a ride and admire lights?” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I didn’t mention Christmas because I know you don’t like it.”
    “Thank you so much,” Jill said with a laugh.
    *******
    They walked to Jackson Square and sought out one of the smaller carriages. A female driver stood beside it bouncing from foot to foot to stay warm and greeted them with a smile. “Are you looking for a tour of the Quarter?”
    “No, we’re locals, we’d like to see the lights,” Jill said.
    The woman gazed at them for a moment with a grin. “Anniversary, right?”
    Jill shook her head. “First date.”
    “Cool. I’m Kay, and this is Harley, and we’d be happy to show you some lights.”
    Shawn