He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. I was about to say the evening was on me when he pulled out a pressed four-leaf clover and set it on the table.
“Daddy is in it to win.”
If I thought back tothatmoment in the comic store, I hadn’t expected anything more than an adventurous romp. Simon might be talking about Bingo, but right now,Ifelt like the winner.
“B 17.”
Simon pressed the blotter on his paper. “Come on, Lady Luck.”
“In your face, Simon.”
Patricia pointed at Simon as if she were challenging him to a wrestling match. If I had to bet, she’d come out the victor. After winning three games in a row, she needed toremind Simon his beginner’s luck had run out. She held up her Bingo card as it confirmed her victory.
“She has Bingo,” Frank announced.
The crowd groaned. Patricia acted as if she spiked a football and followed up with a little dance. She might have won, but at the expense of her humility. People crumpled up their cards, already preparing for the next round. Thankfully, Frank called for intermission.
“It gets heated,” I said. “This way, everybody can go out, have a cigarette and cool off. The second half of the evening is when the gloves come off.”
Simon’s eyes went wide. “This was the warmup? I don’t think I’m ready for the main event.”
We had played for the last hour and a half, and for a while, I thought he might have become Millie’s new arch-nemesis. Thankfully, Patricia would have to face her wrath for the rest of the evening.
We had reached the end of our cards, and unless he wanted to see the dark underbelly of Firefly, it’d be the perfect spot to call it a night and duck out. “I think it’s time we call it a night.”
Simon slid the four-leaf clover into his wallet as he stood up. Sliding it into his back pocket, I couldn’t help but stare at the backside of the bear. I had never considered myself a top, but if he wanted to satisfy a curiosity, I’d gladly step up to the plate.
As we ducked out, I caught Walter’s eye. He winked and made a kissy face. I’m sure I’d be hearing about our premature departure tomorrow. The rumors would rangefrom a standoff between Simon and Patricia to me salivating over him while Frank called the numbers. The second wasn’t far from the truth.
When we got outside, it was the usual suspects. If this were the city, it’d be the type of gathering you’d expect outside a bar or club. In good ol’ Firefly, our late-night entertainment always took place at the American Legion. More amusing was how the attitude changed the moment we exited the building.
“You’re the new guy, right?” Patricia asked.
Simon would hold that title until anewnew guy arrived. I couldn’t help but be impressed with how quickly he rolled with it.
“I am indeed. You must be the beauty I hear all the gossip about.”
Patricia’s jaw dropped. It was probably the first time in years somebody called her beautiful and meant it. She stuttered, whatever sharp word lodged in her throat.
“Smooth talker,” Millie said. “Patty, he’s the guy who reopened Sunshine.”
“Come on by, and I’ll make sure you have a meal you’ll never forget.” Simon had charm. Bucket loads. When we left, they’d squawk about him for the rest of the night. “I’ll make the Sheepherder’s breakfast with extra love.”
Before either could reply, the lights flashed. Whatever compassion they had mustered vanished as their game faces returned. Millie went for the door, but Patricia beat her to it. If they escaped the night without bite marks, I’d beshocked. When everybody had gone inside, I wrapped an arm around Simon’s waist, bumping my hip against his.
“What did you think?”
“I think I am starting to understand this small-town thing. The brochure forgot some of the subtle nuances.”
“You’re winning them over.” By them, I meant me. Simon had won me over. I didn’t want to come off, as Amanda put it, a thirsty ho. “Sorry, you didn’t have more luck tonight.”
Simon looked over his shoulder, inspecting up and down the street. Had he heard something? He glanced at the door where Frank had already started calling numbers for the next game. I was about to ask what had him on high alert when he turned back to me.
“Could still get lucky tonight.”
Oh.
Simon reached up and popped the next button on his flannel. With a shake of the shoulders, it opened enough to see the top of the lightning bolt. He didn’t have to say anything. My imagination had already taken over.
