Fallout (Crank 3)

But I don’t say that. In fact,

I don’t say much of anything

the rest of the way into Carson

City. Nevada’s capital, all wrapped

up in white for Christmas. Your

grandparents live just a little

north of here. Maybe we should

get a room and clean up?

We check into a Holiday Inn

Express on the far side of town.

It’s kind of pricey, says Trey.

But hey, Merry Christmas.

I shower first, to let my hair

dry. While Trey goes to wash

off his guy-stink, I change into

my pretty Aunt Cora skirt, top

with a jade angora sweater.

I stand sideways in the full-

length mirror hanging on

the closet door. Flat tummy.

ALL PRETTIED UP

We head out the door, where

the snowfall continues unchecked.

When we get in the car, Trey slams

the door. He starts the car, puts it

into reverse, and I begin to shake.

“Wait.” Icy tentacles thread my veins,

choke-hold my lungs. They scream for

breath. And my

heart punches