Yes. That was me. A big barfy liar."I'm fine," I told the guy. "I just need to grab my stuff." I made a move to sidestep around him. But he moved at the same time, effectively blocking my path.
He was still glowering. "What stuff?"
"My purse." I hesitated. "Well, I mean the things inside it."
My mom gave a derisive snort. "What are you planning to do? Put them in a paper sack?"
I turned to give her an annoyed look. "Do youhavea paper sack?"
"No."
"Then I guess that's not an option now, is it?" I turned back toward the driver, intending to push my way past him. But something made me pause. It was the sight of the stranger, striding past, heading toward the limo.
I watched with the others as he yanked open the nearest back door, reached inside, and pulled out the purse.
The limo driver called out, "Hey! You can't do that."
But already, the stranger was heading back toward us, gripping the purse in one hand. He stopped beside me and held it out, saying, "You ready?"
Was I ever.Nodding, I took the purse from his outstretched hand and dug out my belongings – a cell phone, a mostly empty wallet, and –oh, crap– a slender tampon that I'd tucked away, just in case my monthly came early.
Damn it.Where was a nice paper sack when I needed it? Clutching my pitiful belongings in my right hand, I used my left hand to thrust the empty purse toward my mom. "There," I said. "It's all yours."
With a hard sigh, she snatched it away and said, "Terrific. Now, just give me the dress, and we'll call it good."
My jaw clenched. "I already told you, I'll give it to you later."
"No." She straightened. "I need it now."
What the hell?"For what?"
"Well, ifyou'renot coming with me, I'll need to find someone else." She gave my dress the once-over. "Itispart of a set, you know."
Oh yeah. I knew.
And I would've known a lot sooner if only she hadn't been hiding her own outfit under a long coat until we were already on the road.
From behind me, the limo driver said, "If you want,I'llget the dress."
Horrified, I whirled back to face him. "What?"
He gave a loose shrug. "I'm just saying, I'm here to help."
To help with what? Undressing me?I almost laughed in his face. "Yeah. I just bet."
From beside me, the stranger told the driver, "You wanna try? Go ahead. But you'll be flat on your ass."
The driver laughed. "You think so, huh?"
But the stranger wasn't laughing. His voice grew deadly quiet. "Try it and see."
Oh, crap.This wasn't what I wanted. Already, I'd caused more than enough trouble, and besides, the limo driver had surely been joking.
Right?
Hoping for the best, I said, "Let's just go, okay?" I turned away, only to feel a beefy tug on the shoulder strap of my dress.
With a gasp of surprise, I whirled back just in time to see the stranger haul back and clock the driver squarely on the jaw. My mom gave a little squeal, even as the driver staggered backward, blurting out, "What the fuck?"
