12
Small Talk
Ling blew out a big pink bubble of gum.
Klaus leaned forward across the cargo hold. “You don’t say much, do you?”
The bubble popped. She sucked the gum back in and chewed. “What do you want me to say?”
“I dunno,” Klaus said. “A little small talk would be nice.”
Bilal laughed, sat to the right of Klaus. “She’s a bit young for you, pops.”
Klaus shrugged. “Only making conversation. And what do you mean, pops? I’m thirty-seven.”
“Is that all you are?” Inge said, fiddling with a strap on her wrist.
As Klaus took the bait and bantered with Inge, I turned to my left, to Ling. “It would be nice to chat, though."
“Why?” Ling said.
“I dunno. It would be good to get to know each other, that’s all,” I said. “Seeing as we’re the youngest."
“Okay," she said. “You first.”
“Alri
