“So now what?” asked Gary as he leaned against the car. The parking lot they chose was a bit out of the way, and they had to park in the back for some privacy.
“So now we wait” replied Lucy as she came to sit next to him.
“Is this going to take long?”
“I don’t know. I think five minutes. Give me a hit.”
“Didn’t you bring your own cigarettes?”
“Yeah, but I don’t want a whole one.” She held out her hand expectantly.
“Fine, here.” Lucy took it and took a long deep drag. “You shouldn’t be smoking anyway” he said.
“I’m stressing out and all you can think about…”
“Sorry, sorry” he got out, holding his hands up in defense.
”Did you want this back?” she asked.
“Yes I want it back!”
“It’s up here.” She raised her arm, putting the cigarette out of his reach. He always hated that she was taller than he, and this is why.
“Stop playing.” He elbowed her in the ribs, which caused her arm to lower. He then grabbed her arm and took the cigarette from her.
“Thank you, gawd!”
“You still hit like a girl.”
“That’s cuz I’m hitting a girl. You may be taller than me but your bony ass couldn’t take a real punch.”
“Maybe” she said quietly. She began to reflect on why they were there, and the repercussions of what it meant.
“What do you think?” she asked Gary.
“I think you’re crazy.”
“C’mon, I’m serious.” She punched him on the shoulder. It gave a meaty sound, thick and muscular, like the rest of him.
“I am serious. I think you’re crazy. And of all people, Mack? You should have let me kill him a long time ago.”
“I will not have his blood on your hands, I told you that. This is my fault, I’ll deal with him.”
“How is it your fault!” Gary exclaimed. “He had no business putting his greasy little hands on you!”
“Keep it down, will you!” She looked around, expecting to see someone in the emptiness of the parking lot.
“I’m just saying that…”
“And I’m just saying shut it! I told you I will deal with it.” She held her hand out for the cigarette. He looked at her with annoyance, then gave in.
“Dad told me one of my jobs was to look after my baby sister. He didn’t tell me when that job was over.”
“Well I’m telling you, the job is over.”
“Sorry, I have to hear it from him.”
This time it was her turn to look at him with annoyance. But she couldn’t stop him. In fact it was one of the things she loved about him. Their being in the parking lot, away from prying eyes, was because of his always being there for her.
They stood there, leaning on the car, each lost in thought.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to tell Dad?”
She hadn’t. If things worked out she wouldn’t have to tell him anything. But if they didn’t…
“I’ll take that as a no” said Gary. Are you going to let him out of the trunk?”
She thought on it, then said “Not yet. Let’s wait and see.”
“Can I have my cig back?”
Lucy looked at it and saw it was almost done. “Sure, I guess. You got anymore?” she said as she handed it over.
“Dang it” he replied. He began running thru his pockets, until he realized he left them in the car. “Hold on” he said, opening the door and reaching for the pack. He pulled one out for him and showed her the pack, letting her pick one for herself.
“I told you I don’t want a whole one.”
“Ugh” he said. “You might as well, you done finished off the other one.”
Lucy hesitated, the took one. She put it to her lips as Gary held the lighter. She took a good pull then let the smoke drift lazily out her mouth. May as well enjoy it, she thought. It may be her last one.
“So,” said Gary, is it time?”
“I think so, let me see.” She pulled the stick out of her back pocket and examined it carefully.
“I still can’t believe you went and peed behind the car. A bathroom would have been better.”
“Yeah, if you want people to know what you’re up to. Now hush!” She looked at the stick carefully, making sure there was no mistaking the results. Finally she dropped her arm and let out a heavy sigh.
“Yep, I’m pregnant.”
Gary looked at her with concern, then put his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t you worry, no matter what happens I’ll still be here to take care of you.”
Lucy hung her head and took hold of his hand draped on her shoulder. She was glad she talked him into coming out there with her. She needed his company.
“I guess we can let him out of the trunk now” she said.
“Woo hoo!” he replied, running to the back of the car. He got the key in, opened it up, and pulled out Old Smoky, a shotgun they got from their Dad when they were kids. They both knew how to shoot it, and took real good care of him. Gary brought it around and Lucy took it from him.
“Hey” he complained.
“This here is going to be a shotgun wedding. And I’ll be the one holding the shotgun.”
“Well I like the sound of that!” he replied. “Time for us to go catch a bastard?”
“Time for us to go catch a bastard.”
Gary clapped his hands and jumped in the driver’s seat. Lucy got in and kept the shotgun low. After all, she couldn’t have Mack see it coming. The car leapt to life and screeched off, leaving nothing but skid marks and a pee stain.
Arid Testimony 