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The old man raised two fingers and let loose a
shrill blast.
“Do you think he's here?”
“Now why do you think I'd be here if that boy
weren't?”
Feeling like an utter fool, Mike glared at Jamison.
He stretched and felt the muscles pull under the cast. “God, but I hate
riding the bus.”
A tall, statuesque woman between the glowering,
overprotective men smiled and whispered, “There he is, the scamp.” Terry
Marie left her brother and ran to Benny.
Benny snatched her up and kissed her breathless.
She heard the whistles and loud compliments about
her body and Terry Marie's eyes widened. Her fists let loose of the shaggy
hair and tried to push Benny away.
He rolled his eye. “Come on. This ain't no place
for a powwow, fat-babe.”
Crowded bus depot forgotten, she glared at Benny.
“What do you mean fat? I haven't gained an ounce, buddy-boy.” Terry
Marie glared down at Benny where his face was thrust between her swollen
breasts and breath, “Have I?”
She sounded so worried he had to laugh. “Only
here,” Benny kissed her breasts, “Where it counts.”
Terry Marie glared across the room at a woman who
seemed to resemble her. A bleach-job blonde. The hair had been curled,
obviously. She touched up her short curls. The Marines weren't too hot about
long hair on combat nurses.
“Who's the dye job?” she demanded, her face
reddening and hot. Terry Marie yanked Benny away from the stranger. The woman
merely grinned.
“Family. In fact, I'm you, honey.”
“She better not be another of your-”
“She's a cousin, from up on the old Corn Planter
rez in Pennsylvania.” Benny raised a hand and made a short, chopping gesture
that to Mike Donnelly's amazement, stopped Terry Marie cold. “No, not one of
'my,' babe. Not like you mean, fat-babe.” He motioned at her brother and at
Jamison. “The lady's name is Taylor Jellico. She's all dolled up for you,
Mike. After we take the microchip from Sweet-Bottom's rump, Taylor'll carry it
on a bus ride through the mountains and back to LeJeune. After that . . . ”
Benny shrugged. “Maybe mail it to American Siberia.”
“How are you gonna yank my life-chip?” She gave
Benny a wary look.
He beamed at her, and his knife flashed open.
©2003 StoriesByEmail.com
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