Wal-Mart to pick up my Xmas layaway. It’s a
freaking madhouse, four days till Christmas, no
good stuff left, and what’s left picked through.
Impossible lines zigzag toward the layaway desk.
Might as well get comfortable. I’m lost in the shopping
diorama when someone taps my shoulder. Kristina?
Is that you? Wow, you sure have, um…changed.
The voice is vaguely familiar, but somehow not right
for this time and place. When I turn, my equilibrium
is threatened. It’s Quade, my first crush, the one I
couldn’t quite find the courage to kiss. [Oh, man,
why the hell not?]
“Quade? It can’t be you. Talk about
changing!” His spiked hair is bleached on the ends,
and his eyebrows are pierced. Metal? I’m guessing
heavy. “You look great, though.” [Understatement!
He’s frigging fine.] “What are you up to nowadays?
Do you live in Reno?” [Like you could be so lucky.]
No, actually, I still live at home, at least when
I quit moving around long enough to touch down
there. My band and I have a gig at Dr. Nasty’s—
that new club on Fourth Street. Hey, you busy tonight?
“Well, actually, no…but I’m not sure if they would
let me inside. I’m not quite twenty-one, you know.”
Quade scans his memory banks. Ah,
right. I can get you in, though. He winks.
You’re with me. He stands in line
with me awhile, and we talk about “the
good old days,” as if we were ancient.
At least he helps me pass the time while