DROP SIXTEEN

 

 

The next morning, Pickle was doing the dishes. Hector walked up to her and leaned on the kitchen counter next to her.

“Mornin’,” she said.

“Good morning, Pickle. I… uh, need to admit something to you.”

She washed a plate. “What’s bothering you?”

He slashed the air with his palm. “Okay, here it is, ripping the bandage. I had sex with Cherry last night.” He stopped and looked at her reaction.

Pickle stopped brushing for just a second, then resumed.

“I don’t know if you girls talk about these things or not, and I wanted to tell you first, because I kinda feel bad about it.”

Pickle brushed harder. She looked at the sink. “Why would you feel bad about it?”

“Because, I don’t wanna become like Nicomedes, Pickle!”

Pickle smiled and turned to him, raising a foamy finger to touch his chin. “Oh, Hector, you never have to worry about that. He’ll never be half the man you are.”

“Okay. If you say so. You’re gonna have to tell me one day what the deal is between you two.

Pickle shrugged.

“Back to last night, I wanted to tell you because you’re so protective of Cherry.”

Pickle went back to washing the next plate. “Why, are you planning to hurt her?”

Hector started. “What? No, never!”

“Okay then. You’re both adults. She is a fucking child compared to us and if you ask me, you should find someone our age, but legally, she can do what she wants.” Pickle’s voice slowly went up, and she cracked the plate, sending pieces everywhere.

“Pickle, whoa, are you hurt?” Hector leaned in, worried. He snatched and held her arm up.

“Augmented, dummy. I can’t get hurt.” She turned her head away. “Not like that, anyway,” she muttered.

Hector checked her arm. “Yeah, it looks fine. Now, seriously, Pickle, I didn’t plan for this but it happened. It’s done. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Pickle reached for the sponge. She held it up in her augmented hand towards him. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She batted her eyelashes at him and smiled eerily. “But, if you hurt my friend, I will crush your balls,” she deadpanned.

Then she squeezed the sponge, white foam coming out from between her fingers.

“Very… vivid,” Hector said with a gulp. “Got it.”