Chapter 6: Worthless Paper

The cold air was a slap.

Benedict held the door and I walked out first, with his hand at my back.

The white sedan sat at the curb with its window rolled down and its phone raised.

I went straight down the steps and stopped at the passenger window.

Camryn's face was lit blue by the screen.

"Hi," I said. "Get my good side."

"Susie," she began.

"The caption is 'She took what I threw away.' Spell it right."

Benedict came down behind me and stood at my shoulder.

He did not touch me, but he did not need to.

"Post it with the time," he said. "Ten past eight. Tell everyone I kissed her first."

Camryn's mouth fell open.

"I did," Benedict said. "Several times."

The phone shook in her hand.

"You're disgusting," she whispered. "Both of you."

"Drive safely," I said.

She stared at me, and in the light I saw something crack across her face, quick and ugly and scared.

Then she slammed the window up and the sedan tore away from the curb.

Benedict exhaled.

"Well," he said.

"Well."

"She will post it."

"I hope she does."

He looked down at me, and the wild fierce thing in his eyes softened.

"Go home," he said. "Sleep. I'll send a car at six."

"I can take the T."

"Susie."

"I can take the T," I said, "and I want to."

He nodded slowly.

Then he leaned in and kissed my forehead, once.

I rode the Green Line all the way back with my fingers pressed to my mouth.

Camryn posted nothing.

By noon the next day I understood why.

She had a better plan.

I was behind the counter at the dining hall, with a hairnet on.

I had a tray of roasted potatoes in my arms when she walked in.

She wore dark sunglasses and carried a wooden cigar box.

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