“Just be careful.” Ronnie stood, gathering up garbage to toss out.
I stood, too, helping her. “Yes, Mother.”
She stopped and looked at me and then smiled. “Have fun.”
“I always do.” I smiled back and felt it in that moment-things were okay again.
“Can we go see the cows?” Beth helped us carry our garbage to the trash bin and toss it in.
“Actually, they’re bulls, I think.” TJ tossed his empty soda container in.
“Yes, very twisted bulls.” Ronnie snorted as TJ slipped his arms around her from behind. He nuzzled her ear and I saw more than heard him whisper, “I love you.” She turned in his arms, kissing him lightly. “I love you, too.”
“Are you ready to go see some crazy cows?” I asked Beth, watching her watch her parents. Her eyes were as glued to them as mine were.
“Bullcows,” she corrected me, taking my hand and swinging it as we walked.
“Let’s go!”
Chapter Two
The secret to getting into a club was acting as if you couldn’t care less, no matter what. You couldn’t beg or plead or make up some story about knowing someone inside-the guys at the door had built-in bullshit radar. You just had to stand there and expect to get in.
“Sorry, we’re closed for a private party.” The bouncer at the door was a big guy-
they were always big guys who stood there with their arms crossed, making their pecs and biceps stand out even more. Of course, they weren’t really closed for a private party. That was just what they said when they didn’t want to let someone in. We’d heard it before.
“Who’s this, Sailor Moon and her lesbian lover?”
I looked over at Lil and almost laughed-he was right on. She looked just like a dark-haired Sailor Moon with the short navy pleated skirt and white blouse and red bows. I told her with my eyes, don’t say anything. She raised an eyebrow but she kept her mouth shut.