Cherry Pie

DROP FIVE

DROP FIVE

The next morning, they found Hector and his pet in the kitchen. Pickle showed where the coffee was to Cherry. It was a nice, sunny day, and the Athens sky was clear for a rare moment. The slight breeze coming in through the open windows made it even better.

“Good morning,” he said, reading the news in his veil.

Cherry looked shy. “Good morning, Mr. Troy.”

He snorted. “Just Hector is fine.” He slurped a tiny bit of the hot, Turkish coffee. The aroma was amazing. “What are you having for breakfast? Pickle can help you out.”

“She is, thanks…” She looked down, rubbed her elbow. “Hector,” she added, hesitating.

Hector rolled his eyes. “Seriously, relax already! Were you being a vlaka yesterday? Yes, you were. Is everyone, including Armadillo, very much over it? Yes, we are.” He rubbed Armadillo’s head as he said it. “Make yourself at home. Oh, this reminds me.”

He sent a transaction command in the veil. “Here’s your allowance, 500 euro, plus 200 so you can get the extra bed. Pickle, will you get it sorted? I have three orders today, I really can’t hang out with you guys.”

“Of course!” Pickle beamed. “Shopping time! I know it’s just a bed, but still…” She squealed in silence.

Cherry let her jaw hang. Plenty of seconds passed before she finally shut it. “Excuse me, allowance?”

Pickle grabbed her and turned her around, then whispered in her ear, “Yes, we get an allowance, shush now.”

Cherry was still stunned. “I’m sorry, what do you mean an allowance, just like that,” she asked, waving her hand, ignoring the whispers of Pickle.

Hector shrugged. “For women’s stuff. Drinks. Clothes. Makeup? I don’t know, I’m just a guy. Why are you asking me?” He made perfectly obvious the fact that the matter was done by turning his back. If he had an old-style newspaper in his hands, he’d give it a wiggle and straighten the pages right now, that’s what he looked like.

Pickle tugged on her arm, but Cherry was still on the subject. “You’re just giving me cash to spend. Without asking for anything in return.”

He frowned. “I expect you to train and form a team with Pickle, then play jugger. Is that too much for me to ask?”

Pickle kept tugging, and this time Cherry angrily slapped her arm away. “No, what I mean is, you don’t want anything for it beforehand? I usually have to suck di-”

“Bah-bah-bah,” Pickle interrupted and covered Cherry’s mouth. Then she swapped hands and shoved a buttered-up toast into her mouth. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for young girls like you. Chew.”

“Mugh, mng, nf,” Cherry said, mouth full, eyeing her friend angrily.

“I’m so happy you love my toast,” Pickle said, looking pleased. “Let’s finish the rest in the bedroom and see how we’ll fit the furniture in there, okay? Awesomesauce.” She dragged the young girl by the arm into the room.

“Are you nuts?” Pickle whispered after she shut the door.

Cherry looked around. “I guess I am. I just… It couldn’t register. In my brains.” She poked her temple, eyes wide.

“Yeah. I noticed.” Pickle nodded furiously.

“Is he for real?” Cherry pointed a thumb at his general direction.

“Yes!” Pickle squealed with a forced smile. “And let’s keep it that way, shall we?”

Cherry sighed audibly and sat on the bed. “I’m sorry. I’m screwing this up, aren’t I?”

“It’s fine.” Pickle opened the closet and took out a casual top and shorts. “Now, let’s go shopping, shall we?”

Cherry perked up. “I could use some new outfits! What are you getting?”

“Nothing. I spent it all on pickles.”

“Come on!” Cherry scoffed. “That can’t be true,” she smirked.

“I know, I’m terrible,” Pickle said, rubbing her tummy. “I couldn’t help myself.” She leaned in and whispered, “If I could go back in time… I’d do it all over again the exact same way.”