Ballistic Kiss (Sandman Slim 11)

“It’s going to be okay. It’s funny how things change. Alessa and I have been together for a while now. You and me even longer. In a way.”

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

She lets me go and we walk some more.

“I mean, with the way things are with Alessa and me, if you wanted, you know, to get together with Janet, it’s okay with me.”

I stop and look at her.

“I’m not running off with Janet.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“It’s just not going to happen.”

“Have you kissed her?”

I hesitate.

Candy nods, knowing. Keeps walking.

“I thought so. I have to admit that I was a little jealous seeing her pressed up against you at the party.”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Stark, let me be clear: I felt jealous, but under the circumstances I don’t have any right to be.”

I put my hands in my pockets. I don’t want to be talking about any of this. So I say, “People feel what they feel. I know that much.”

Candy stops and brushes a fly off my coat.

“I just want you to know that I love you and want you to be happy.”

“I’m happy right now here with you.”

“You don’t look it.”

“Happy-ish. Can we leave it at that?”

“Sure.”

“Good. Because ghosts are going to show up in a few minutes and I don’t want some dead psychos eavesdropping on my love life.”

“Maybe they’re not psychos. Maybe they’re just, I don’t know. Sad and acting out.”

“Then I don’t want to see them truly pissed.”

With the sun gone, a couple of streetlights flicker on as Candy steps in front of me. When I bump into her she puts her hands around my neck and kisses me like she means it.

When it’s finished I say, “What was that for?”

“I don’t know. For taking me on an adventure? I love Alessa and the shop, but sometimes I miss fucking shit up.”

“I’m always here for that.”

We sit on a curb again and Candy takes my hand. We stay like that for a few confusing minutes.

Something moves in the air.