The Maine Events, Rodney Riesel [best books to read in your 20s TXT] 📗

for the tip. AllI need is for Jacob and Oliver to ask me who paid.”

“So, you're saying the only reason you're paying is so twoyoung boys don't bully you?”

“Yeah. Those boys are brutal.”

“Then I'm buying the ice cream,” Mya insisted.

“I thought you said you were stuffed?”

“I am. But there's always room for ice cream. Have you beento Dunne's yet?” Allen shook his head no. “Then you're in for a treat. Theyhave every flavor under the sun.”

Justine returned to pick up Allen's credit card and cameback with the receipt a few minutes later. She looked at Allen and smiledhugely. “And thank you for the generous tip. After the Godzilla crack, I wasafraid you might stiff me.”

“Wouldn't dream of it,” said Allen. “I'm always generous tothe stalwart femmes in the elite network of women.”

“Huh?”

“He means you're a good waitress,” Mya chimed in.

“Oh. Thanks, guys. And come again.” She bustled off.

Allen had returned his attention to the lighthouse. “Shallwe get out of here?” he asked.

“I'm ready if you are,” Mya replied.

“How far's that ice cream?”

“Right around the corner. It's about a five-minute walk.”

“What do you say we walk over there, grab a cone, and thenwalk back to the lighthouse?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The couple got up and walked to the exit.

“Have a great rest of your night,” Susan said, on their wayout the door.

As they walked along Sohier Road, Mya glanced over to herright, across Fox's parking lot.

“There's actually a shortcut right through there,” she said,pointing.

“Through those yards?”

“Yeah. Come on.”

Mya started through the parking lot. She had gone four orfive yards when she realized Allen wasn't behind her. She turned to see that hehadn't moved. “Come on, chicken!” she yelled.

Allen took a quick look around for witnesses. “We'llprobably get shot,” he said. He hurried across the dark parking lot to catch upwith his date.

At the edge of the lot, Mya paused and inspected eachcottage. She reached back and took Allen's hand. “Let's go,” she said.

The two jogged through the grass. When they got to the backof the third of three houses, a man sitting in a lounge chair on his deck roseup to look over his railing.

“Hey!” the guy hollered. “Who's over there?”

“No one!” Mya shouted back. She picked up her pace, andveered left onto a driveway that led to the street.

“Goddamn kids!” the guy shouted with his fist in the air.

Mya and Allen slowed to a walk. She let go of Allen's handas they entered and crossed the street.

Mya snickered. “Goddamn kids, he said.”

“Yeah,” Allen replied, “I heard him. The old fart'llprobably call the cops now.”

“That would be funny.” Mya walked up the cement steps to thesidewalk in front of the order window. She read down through the long list ofavailable flavors. “What are you getting?”

Allen scanned the list. “Moose Tracks,” he said.

“Good choice. I think I'll get the Reese's Pieces.”

Allen stepped up to the window. “What size?”

“Just one scoop,” Mya answered.

“Cone?”

“Regular.”

Allen put in their order and stepped back next to Mya. Helooked back over his shoulder the way they had come.

“He's not going to call the cops,” said Mya.

“I'm looking at the lighthouse,” Allen told her.

“Sure you are,” Mya joked. “Even if the guy did call thecops, your swinging partner, Paul Rose, is a cop. He'd get you out of trouble.”

“I had just forgotten about the swinging rumor.”

“I won't let that happen,” Mya said with a giggle. “As amatter of fact, you better call me as soon as you get back to your roomSaturday night. I want to know what went on.”

“Nothing's gonna go on.”

“Reese's and a Moose Tracks,” said the young kid at thewindow.

Allen stepped up and took the cones. “Thank you,” he said.

Mya took a bite out of the top of her scoop. “Yummy. How'syours?”

Allen sampled his cone. “Mmm. Better than sex.”

Mya took a long lingering lick. “Then you must not be doingit right.”

For once, Allen was stuck for a witty response.

“Would you want to come with me to the Roses' tomorrownight?” Allen asked, as they turned and headed across the grass to the street.

“I gotta work. Besides, I'm not into that weird stuff.”

Allen shook his head. “There's not going to be any weirdstuff.”

“That's what you say now,” Mya ribbed, “but when that cougargets a few glasses of wine into you, and Paul gets out the video camera …”

“Now there's a video camera?”

Mya laughed. “Who knows?”

On their way to the lighthouse Allen and Mya decided tostick to the street, rather than trespassing on private property. This decisionwas mostly due to the fact that it was even darker on the return trip. Theymade a left off Nubble Road onto Sohier Park Road. They walked past Fox's andinto the Nubble Point parking lot. They crossed the parking lot, and stood atthe edge of the black top where massive boulders had been placed to preventcars from driving over the edge of the cliff.

Mya pulled her phone out of her clutch and snapped a fewpictures. The parking lot and lighthouse was well lit, providing for fantasticphotos even at night.

“Turn around,” Mya said, “and let me get a selfie of us.”

She snuggled up under Allen's arm. “Smile,” she said, andsnapped the photo. “Let me get a couple more just to make sure.”

Allen watched Mya's eyes as she inspected each of the fouror five selfies she'd taken. He reached out and, with his fingertips, turnedher head to face him. She looked up at him, and he kissed her on the lips.

“Aw,” said an old woman near them.

They both turned to look at her.

“What a perfect spot for a kiss,” said the old lady. Shesmiled and turned away.

Allen looked back at Mya. “Yes,” he said, “it is the perfectplace.”

Chapter Fifteen

Allen opened his eyes at six fifteen Friday morning. He waslying in his bed. Frankie was curled up on the sofa. He rolled over onto hisback, and after a yawn and a few stretches, he got up and lumbered to thebathroom. When he walked out of the bathroom, Frankie was waiting patiently bythe door.

“Gotta poop?” Allen asked the dog. He walked