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“So, how is it with Cue Ball staying here?”
I shrugged and rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. “It’s not bad. I mean, it would be better if I didn’t have him staying with here because I might be in danger, but it is what it is for the time being.”
“Do you guys talk?”
I tipped my head to the side. “Uh, yeah? He’s really good with Rocky, and when he isn’t trying to tell me what to do, I get along with him.”
Faye sighed heavily. “I don’t know how to talk to Fade,” she cried. “The man is this beautiful specimen, and all I can talk to him about is Anthony!”
I reared back. “Anthony?”
Faye nodded and dropped her head back. “Yes,” she drawled. “It’s like I open my mouth to talk about anything but Anthony, but Anthony is all that comes out.” She sat up abruptly and leaned forward. “Fade punched Anthony. Knocked him out in the middle of the road, and it was the best thing that has ever happened. For years I wanted to punch him right in the nose, and within two minutes of Fade knowing Anthony, he just lays him out flat. Amazing!” she cheered.
“Then why on earth are you talking about Anthony all of the time?” I laughed. “And for the record, I would have paid to watch Fade punch him.”
Faye sat back and laughed. “I did offer him money after he did it. He, of course, didn’t take it, but the offer is always on the table.”
“So what are you going to do now?” I asked.
“Well, I need to figure out how to stop talking about Anthony and talk about anything else with Fade.”
It seemed pretty simple to me to stop, but obviously, Faye was having a problem. “Ask him what he wants to talk about. Have him get the ball rolling and lead the conversation,” I suggested.
Faye sighed. “I’m such a mess, Olive. Here I am talking about me when you were the one who was blown up.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Could we be any different, Olive? All I can do is talk about myself, and you just always say you are fine.”
“Because I am fine, Faye.” Fine was what I was, and I was good with that. “Aren’t you fine?”
She laughed loudly. “I am far from fine, Olive. I’m waiting for my prince, and when I possibly find him, all I can talk about is the douchebag frog I used to kiss.”
I tipped my head to the side and cringed. “Eww?”
“Anthony is definitely eww.” She leaned forward and dropped her head in her hands. “All I talk about is the eww.”
Poor Faye. I wasn’t sure how to help her. Anthony had been in her life for a while, and even though he had treated Faye like shit, he was still hanging on in her mind. “How about when you think about Anthony or start talking about him, you have to pay whoever you are with a dollar?”
“Fade is going to be a millionaire in a week,” she laughed.
I shrugged. “Well, maybe it might become more bearable for him if he’s getting paid.”
“That is the worst idea, but I’m going to do it because I have no idea what else to do. I want to have a shot with Fade, but that isn’t going to happen if I keep talking about Anthony.”
“The hell with Anthony,” I called.
“Yes,” Faye cheered. “The hell with Anthony!” She pointed at herself. “Does that count as me having to pay you a dollar?” she asked.
I shook my head. “How about you start when we go back inside?” I suggested.
Faye nodded. “Good idea. No sense in bankrupting myself right away.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Hopefully, you stop talking about he who shall not be named before that happens.”
“Voldemort?” Faye slowly dropped her chin, and a huge smile spread across her lips.
“Uh, Anthony is a douche, but I don’t think he’s that bad.”
“Olive,” Cue Ball called.
“Uh, yeah?”
“What do you guys want for lunch?” he asked. “And also dinner.”
I closed one eye and pursed my lips. “Uh, we can just do frozen pizza for lunch, and Rocky can pick dinner when he gets home.”
“Sounds good, doll. I’ll put a pizza in.”
“How?” Faye whisper shouted. “How did you just talk to him without mentioning Tag?”
“Because he asked me what I wanted for lunch, Faye, not if I would want Tag stoned or beaten.”
She flipped me off and threw her hands in the air. “I’m just going to become a mute. No more words are going to come out of my mouth.” She held her pointer finger and thumb together and moved them across her lips.
I tipped my head to the side. “If you’re not going to talk to me the whole afternoon, Faye, then you might as well go back to the playhouse.”
She sputtered and struggled to keep her mouth shut.
“I mean the biker hangout.”
“Stop,” Faye gasped. “I can’t talk.”
I reached out and patted her knee. “Then you might want to get the duct tape because there is no way in hell you are going to be able to keep your mouth shut. Just when you feel the urge to talk about Anthony, pinch yourself.”
“I thought I was paying a dollar when I talked about him.”
This was getting out of hand.
“Just do whatever works to keep that douchebag’s name off your lips, okay? Pinch yourself, pay a dollar, whatever!” I laughed. “But you gotta stop talking about him.”
“I just pray I haven’t driven Fade away.”
“I’m sure you haven’t, honey. It’s been two days, not two months.” I gingerly stood and held my hand out to her. “Now, let’s go eat some frozen pizza, watch trashy daytime talk shows, and wait for Rocky to get home from school.”
“And not talk about Anthony.”
Dear, god. “Yes, Faye, let’s not do that.”
We all had our own challenges and problems in life.
Faye’s were just a bit ridiculous and brought on by herself.
Lord help her.
*
