Hard Candy

108

ELVIRA was quiet, sitting between Max and me on the way back.

"Your friend Lily… she was nice."

"But you know it was all game, right?"

She flashed the no-soul smile of a little girl who learned to do tricks too soon. I pulled up outside Train's place. Max stepped out, holding the door for Elvira like a chauffeur.

"Tell Train I'll be around to see him soon," I told the girl. "I won't be taking you back. Just one last talk. I want to part friends. Tell him, he'll know what I mean."

She turned to face me. "Did my mother kiss you goodbye the last time you saw her?"

"No."

She slid off the seat without a word. I didn't look back.