“Well, you want to know what I think, Gary?” Gus asked slyly. “I think Angeline’s father and Mr. Bone are falling in love.”
Gary and Angeline giggled, and Gus giggled too.
They passed the Mexican restaurant and the paint store. “You missed it,” Angeline told Gary. “When we picked up Mr. Bone, she kissed my father. On the lips!”
“I saw them kiss at the hospital,” said Gary. “Remember?”
“That’s right,” said Angeline.
“Did Gary tell you that he kissed you at the hospital?” Gus asked. “When you were unconscious?”
“Yech!” said Angeline.
Gary denied it. “I did not!”
They passed the radio station and a condemned building.
“Maybe your father and Mr. Bone will get married,” said Gary. “Then Mr. Bone will be your mother, instead of just your teacher.”
Angeline laughed with delight. “And then if we get married too,” she said, “she’ll also be your mother!”
Past the sweater and socks store, where they give you a matching pair of socks with every sweater you buy.
“Then you’ll grow up to be a world-famous oceanographer,” said Gary.
“Or a garbageperson,” said Angeline. “And you’ll be a world-famous comedian!”
“Or a garbageperson,” said Gary.
Then, for a special surprise, the truck headed up the road to the dump.
“Boy, wouldn’t that be something if that all really happens?” said Gary. “Someday, Angeline?”
Angeline gazed out across the garbage dump. She had a gleam in her eye as she said, “You never know.”
And slapped across the back of the garbage truck, there was a bumper sticker that said SAVE THE WHALES.