Read Online Appointment with a Smile by Kieran York - Free Book Online
Authors: Kieran York
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included.”
“You’re terrible. Someday a flipping black hole is going to swallow you.”
“Speaking of which, you know how powerful black holes are. Those concentrated fields of gravity don’t even allow light to escape from them. One intermediate class of black holes could explain how super-massive, light-sucking monsters develop in the heart of galaxies.”
“Light-sucking monsters? If I were you I wouldn’t try to impress this poor Carrie with any astro-chat. And stay away from alien munchkins, too.”
“Listen, the restaurant is a couple of blocks away. Got to smear my lips and apply some powder to my cheeks. Have a terrific night painting your memories.”
“Have fun, and don’t let your whiskers get bitten off,” I said as I heard the click of the phone.
I took two more photos then ambled away from the market. Merchants were beginning to pack up their wares. The shadows of early evening fell, and I watched the rhythms of the traffic. I turned back for one more glimpse of the place where Molly and I had briefly reunited.
I wondered what she might be doing now.
Chapter 13
Esther had left an early morning voice mail saying she would return to the hotel midafternoon, and we would have a gabfest then. She sounded elated. I spent the remainder of the day attempting to finish my latest painting. After quick calls to Roxie on the home front and Fiona stationed at the gallery, I poured my soul into my work.
By two in the afternoon, I needed a break and hoped that Esther might be on her way back to the hotel. Curiosity was running at an all-time high. I called her. She was on her way and said she wanted to do a little shopping before returning to the hotel.
I jumped right in to glean as much information as I could. “Are you going to give me the latest space info report? How is that light-sucking monster of a black hole? Or are you going to tell me what happened on your date?”
“Iron emissions reveal that a black hole is spinning rapidly and chomping matter quickly.”
“Good, we’ve got the space narration out of the way. Let’s cut to the chase. Get to the human interest portion of your story, Esther.”
“Okay. And before you ask. Forty-two.”
I laughed. “Would that be her bust measurement or her license plate number?”
“Danielle, sometimes you can be a real turd. It’s her age. So she is well beyond the age of consent.”
“Just not as well beyond as we are.” Before my tittering became a source of annoyance, I stopped. “I’m truly thrilled for you. Nothing like a vacation romance. I assume the stay-over with Carrie went well. Any more details you want to offer?”
“Her full name is Carrie VonHuber. She owns a travel agency. Has a lovely, immaculate apartment with a roommate she wants you to meet.”
“Let’s retrace our steps. Travel agent. Did she take you on a trip around the world?”
“You are rotten. Are you taunting me to amuse yourself or as a method for diverting the question of going out with her roommate?”
“Is her roommate over the legal age? I’m not interested in being charged with degeneracy by dating a teenager.”
“You’re hardly reprobate material,” Esther said dryly. “Her roommate is a gorgeous, classy lady of fifty-four. I think you can handle that. You can be so damned boring, Danielle.”
“I’m not interested in meeting anyone, even if she is of age. But thanks for the offer.”
“I’ll put it another way. Her name is Bethany Cortland. She’s a manager with a major airline. Prior to that, she was a flight attendant. Hair like Joan Baez—sort of salt-and-pepper on top and darker sides, same trim. And we’re meeting them for dinner tonight after they get off work.”
“Esther, I need to paint.”
“You need to get out with a charming woman. As far as that goes, you need to get laid by any available woman. And I take it Molly hasn’t bothered to call.”
“Not a word.”
“There. That settles it. You need to get out.
“You’re terrible. Someday a flipping black hole is going to swallow you.”
“Speaking of which, you know how powerful black holes are. Those concentrated fields of gravity don’t even allow light to escape from them. One intermediate class of black holes could explain how super-massive, light-sucking monsters develop in the heart of galaxies.”
“Light-sucking monsters? If I were you I wouldn’t try to impress this poor Carrie with any astro-chat. And stay away from alien munchkins, too.”
“Listen, the restaurant is a couple of blocks away. Got to smear my lips and apply some powder to my cheeks. Have a terrific night painting your memories.”
“Have fun, and don’t let your whiskers get bitten off,” I said as I heard the click of the phone.
I took two more photos then ambled away from the market. Merchants were beginning to pack up their wares. The shadows of early evening fell, and I watched the rhythms of the traffic. I turned back for one more glimpse of the place where Molly and I had briefly reunited.
I wondered what she might be doing now.
Chapter 13
Esther had left an early morning voice mail saying she would return to the hotel midafternoon, and we would have a gabfest then. She sounded elated. I spent the remainder of the day attempting to finish my latest painting. After quick calls to Roxie on the home front and Fiona stationed at the gallery, I poured my soul into my work.
By two in the afternoon, I needed a break and hoped that Esther might be on her way back to the hotel. Curiosity was running at an all-time high. I called her. She was on her way and said she wanted to do a little shopping before returning to the hotel.
I jumped right in to glean as much information as I could. “Are you going to give me the latest space info report? How is that light-sucking monster of a black hole? Or are you going to tell me what happened on your date?”
“Iron emissions reveal that a black hole is spinning rapidly and chomping matter quickly.”
“Good, we’ve got the space narration out of the way. Let’s cut to the chase. Get to the human interest portion of your story, Esther.”
“Okay. And before you ask. Forty-two.”
I laughed. “Would that be her bust measurement or her license plate number?”
“Danielle, sometimes you can be a real turd. It’s her age. So she is well beyond the age of consent.”
“Just not as well beyond as we are.” Before my tittering became a source of annoyance, I stopped. “I’m truly thrilled for you. Nothing like a vacation romance. I assume the stay-over with Carrie went well. Any more details you want to offer?”
“Her full name is Carrie VonHuber. She owns a travel agency. Has a lovely, immaculate apartment with a roommate she wants you to meet.”
“Let’s retrace our steps. Travel agent. Did she take you on a trip around the world?”
“You are rotten. Are you taunting me to amuse yourself or as a method for diverting the question of going out with her roommate?”
“Is her roommate over the legal age? I’m not interested in being charged with degeneracy by dating a teenager.”
“You’re hardly reprobate material,” Esther said dryly. “Her roommate is a gorgeous, classy lady of fifty-four. I think you can handle that. You can be so damned boring, Danielle.”
“I’m not interested in meeting anyone, even if she is of age. But thanks for the offer.”
“I’ll put it another way. Her name is Bethany Cortland. She’s a manager with a major airline. Prior to that, she was a flight attendant. Hair like Joan Baez—sort of salt-and-pepper on top and darker sides, same trim. And we’re meeting them for dinner tonight after they get off work.”
“Esther, I need to paint.”
“You need to get out with a charming woman. As far as that goes, you need to get laid by any available woman. And I take it Molly hasn’t bothered to call.”
“Not a word.”
“There. That settles it. You need to get out.
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