I pointed to another table. Bingo was a game of chance, not skill. That meant everybody brought their luckiest of luck charms. Some had lucky rabbit’s foot, others had a magical locket, but Ingrid brought a dozen of those toy troll dolls. It bordered on OCD how she kissed them between each round. So far, they hadn’t gotten her very far.
“You’re all crazy.”
Simon took his seat while I went to the counter along the back wall. On Sundays, they had spaghetti dinners, giving the proceeds to families in need. It was one of the things Iloved about Firefly. In a time of crisis, they banded together. Somehow, it always involved pasta.
In the pass between the kitchen and the dining room, Walter sold Bingo sheets. When he spotted me, his eyes lit up. I hadn’t seen him since the park. He’d want details before he let me buy my Bingo sheets.
“So?”
“So?” I asked.
“How was your ‘not a date’ date?”
I couldn’t fight the smile. Which one? They had all been magical. When I didn’t answer, Walter put his hands over his heart. “I know that look.”
“Yeah, it went well.”
“Get lucky?”
“Walter!”
“Just a couple guys talking?—”
“Nope. No. Never.” I’m pretty sure my entire body had turned red.
“Can’t kiss and tell. I respect that.” He gave me a wink. I don’t think I’d ever be able to play poker with him in the park again. I’d be just shy of giggling as they probed for information.
I dropped a ten on the counter. “What’s the cause this month?”
“Uniforms for the band kids.” I had never been a band geek, but I respected them. They were in every event on the green. If we had a parade, those band kids were front and center. For that cause, I dropped another ten on the table.
“He doesn’t know what he’s in store for,” Walter said ashe pointed to Simon. “If he survives this, I say he’s a keeper.”
He doled out a stack of Bingo cards. I didn’t argue when he slipped me a few extras. Everybody knew with enough sweet talking, Walter would let you play for free. The first time is free, he’d say as if he were a geriatric peddling drugs.
As I returned to my chair, Simon spun about, taking in the scene. Every character in Firefly came out tonight. If he could endure a night of Bingo shenanigans, he’d survive the small-town life.
When I plopped down, splitting the cards between us, he leaned in. “Does that woman have an urn?”
I didn’t need to turn. “Patricia swears her dog bends the laws of space and time to give her an edge. At least it’s not the urn with her husband.”
“I would say you’re joking?—”
“And you’d be wrong,” I said. “You’ll get used to the weird. Eventually, nothing surprises you.”
“And I thought cities had a monopoly on weird shit.”
“They don’t even—” When I turned, I spotted the open button on his shirt. Had I missed it before? Or had he unhooked another while I grabbed the cards? The split between the fabric allowed a glimpse of the white patch on his chest. I was saying something, but I’d be damned if I could remember what. Right now, I wanted to feel that soft tuft of hair against my cheek.
“If you keep staring, I’ll button up to the collar.”
I nodded. “You might have to.”
The lights flashed twice as the announcer called for people to take their seats. Chairs scraped against the floor as they sat down and started their good luck rituals. I reached into my pocket and pulled out two Bingo stamps.
“We can’t have you using a pen like a virgin.” I held up the blue and purple blotters. “Choose your color, good sir.”
He grabbed the purple from my hand. “And I think we’ve established there’s nothing virgin about me,” he whispered. We had, but I think it was time to check again… for accuracy.
