Read Online Mango Lucky by Bill Myers - Free Book Online

alone. And that we could be friends."
     
    Anna shook her head, "So you weren't dating? No kissing, no hooking up?"
     
    "No, nothing like that. I was hoping we were moving in that direction, though."
     
    Anna reached out and patted my hand, "Walker, it doesn't sound good. When a girl tells you she needs more time alone and wants to be friends, it usually doesn't end well."
     
    I nodded, "Yeah, I'm starting to realize that. But I'm not giving up just yet. But enough about me, what about you? Any kids? Boyfriends?"
     
    She shook her head. "No kids. No boyfriend. And no job. Just living the dream here in Florida."
     
    Anna finished her glass of wine and reached for the bottle to pour me another.
     
    Before she could pour, I said, "I've had enough. I'm going to bed."
     
    Putting the bottle back on the table, she said, "Okay, I've probably had enough, too."
     
    I stood and cleaned off the table where we'd been eating, and showed Anna how to lower the table and arrange the cushions to make it into a queen size bed.
     
    From the overhead compartment, I retrieved sheets, a pillow and a blanket and placed them on the bed cushion.
     
    "Here you go. All the comforts of home."
     
    Anna picked up her gym bag, unzipped it said, "Walker, before you go back to your bedroom, there's something I need to show you."
     
    She reached into her bag and pulled out a black leather holster holding a nickle plated revolver.
     

28
     
    "You've got a gun."
     
    Anna nodded. "Yes, I do. And I wanted you to know about it. I don't want there to be any surprises or misunderstandings during the night."
     
    She continued, "It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that I almost always carry a gun. And I always sleep with one.
     
    "I didn't want to leave it in the tent or my car tonight, so I brought it here."
     
    She slid the gun back in her gym bag.
     
    I didn't say anything.
     
    "Does it bother you that I have a gun? Would you rather I didn't tell you about it?"
     
    I hesitated, then said, "I can understand why a single girl camping in a tent might want to carry a gun. But do you know how to use it?"
     
    Anna nodded, "Yes, I know how to use it. I've taken the safety course, and even have a concealed carry permit, so I'm perfectly legal."
     
    I sighed, "Well, I'm glad you told me about it. But do me a favor. There's a good chance Bob will try to climb into bed with you tonight. Please don't shoot him.
     
    "In fact, try not shooting anybody in here, okay?"
     
    Anna smiled, "It's a deal. And just so you know, I take carrying a gun very seriously. It's not a toy, and not something to play with.
     
    "I just wanted you to know I had it in here. And if that bothers you, I can go sleep in my car."
     
    I shook my head, "No, it's okay. I appreciate you telling me about it.
     
    "And since you're being honest with me, I might as well tell you I have a gun as well. I don't sleep with it, but I do have one back in the bedroom.
     
    I continued, "So it's settled. We both have guns. We both promise not to shoot each other, and we promise not to shoot Bob."
     
    Anna smiled, "Agreed."
     

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    "So," I said, "here's the sleeping arrangements. I'll be sleeping in the back, and I'll pull the privacy curtain between my bedroom and the bathroom.
     
    "We have to leave the bathroom door open because that's where Bob's litter box is. You can close the door when you're in there. Just be sure to leave it open when you leave."
     
    Anna nodded and I continued.
     
    "Bob will probably cry at least once during the night. Usually it means he's getting ready to use his box. Just ignore him and he'll quiet down after a few minutes.
     
    "And I may get up during the night to pee. Please don't shoot me when I do."
     
    Anna laughed. "Okay, no shooting in the bathroom."
     
    Smiling, I pointed to the back, "You can find clean towels in the bathroom cabinet.
     
    "If you get up before I do in the morning, feel free to do whatever you do in the mornings. If you get