The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel by Robert Dugoni

Author:Robert Dugoni [Dugoni, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503949003
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2018-04-24T07:00:00+00:00

15

As we drove the El Camino with the top down, Mickie slid across the seat to her customary position next to me. I turned down Broadway.

“It’s at the Century Cinema,” she said.

“I want to take the freeway. And I need to stop and see my dad.”

Broadway bustled on Saturdays. People ran errands they couldn’t get to during the week or ate leisurely breakfasts at one of the diners. I lucked out and found a parking space in front of my dad’s store and searched the ashtray for change to pay the meter. When I looked up, I saw Donna at the counter, staring through the window at the tableau of Mickie sitting pressed beside me. I quickly opened the door and got out. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I nearly closed the door on Mickie’s leg. “Hold on.” She slid out. “What the hell, Hill? I want to get some candy for the movie and say hi to your dad.”

Donna smiled when we entered.

My father left the prescription room and walked down the aisle to greet us. Mickie gave him a hug. “Hey, Mr. H.”

“What are you two up to now? Do I dare ask?”

“We’re going to the movies,” she said. “We’re smuggling in candy.”

“I don’t blame you,” my dad said. “Not with the prices they charge. Sam, did you introduce Mickie to Donna?”

I turned, but before I could say anything Donna had walked out from behind the counter. “What movie are you going to see?”

“Westworld,” Mickie said.

“I heard that’s really scary.”

“That’s why I take Sam. He doesn’t mind if I jump in his lap.”

“You don’t jump in my—”

“When we saw The Poseidon Adventure, I practically shared his seat the whole movie.”

“That was like freshman year or something,” I said. “We’re just friends.” That went over like a lead balloon. My father and Mickie both looked puzzled. Donna just smiled.

After the moment of silence, my dad said, “Donna, Mickie gets the family discount, ten percent off.” He said goodbye and started back up the aisle. “Have fun at the movies.”

Donna rang up Mickie’s candy. “Anything else?”

“Don’t look at me,” Mickie said. “My friend here is the one with the money.”

I paid for the candy, and Donna put it in a brown bag. “I want a full report on the movie later,” she called out as we were leaving and for a moment I felt that everything was okay. Then she added, “Sport.”

When I opened the car door, Mickie stood waiting to slide in ahead of me. “You better go around,” I said. “There’s not much room.”

She looked at me like I’d gone crazy. “What are you talking about? There’s plenty of room.” She squeezed past and slid onto the seat. I looked to the store window. Donna was waiting on a customer. When I slid in, Mickie was closer than ever. “Can you move over a bit?” I said.

She looked annoyed. “What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me. I don’t want to get in an accident.”

“Your mother’s right; you are grumpy.

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