Lib Novel Page 65
“Story time,” he says. He peeks over me through the window at the people still waiting in line to get on the bus. “See that man there holding the green suitcase?”
I scan the line until I find him. He’s clutching the suitcase like it’s precious, even though it’s larger than anything we’re allowed to bring on the bus. There’s a high probability he’ll be forced to give it to the attendant once he reaches the front, and yet, the determined look on his face says he’ll take the gamble.
“He’s a crocodile smuggler,” Levi whispers as we watch the man inch forward in line. “In that suitcase is a rare baby albino crocodile that he’s keeping alive by feeding small fish that he keeps in his suit pocket.”
“Oh wow, I bet that smells heavenly,” I say, my mouth turning up even though my insides feel like lead.
“It’s pretty rank,” Levi says. “But he covers up the smell with mashed bananas.”
I can’t help but laugh, my face twisted in a grimace. “Apparently he doesn’t know the cardinal rules of travel. No smelly foods in the vehicle, especially fish or bananas.”
“Or crocodiles,” Levi points out. “Though I read somewhere crocodiles don’t smell all that bad.”
“So, what is he going to do with this crocodile?” I ask.
“Well, his intention is to impress a lady,” he says, a smirk on his face.
“Isn’t that the start of every good story?” I’m beginning to enjoy Levi’s distractions, almost forgetting my own ill-fated love story.
“So true,” Levi agrees. “He’s offering it to a woman who raises crocodiles to make coats out of them.”
“How awful!” I exclaim, but I’m laughing as we watch the man arguing with the baggage person as he holds tightly to this suitcase.
“Indeed. But there’s a good ending.” Levi raises an eyebrow for dramatic effect. “The lady receives the crocodile, and she is definitely impressed by the man’s thoughtfulness. She invites the man to move in with her so they can raise crocodiles together. On the day they decide the albino crocodile is fully grown, they approach the backyard moat, ready to hunt him down. But instead of being the hunters, the man and lady become the hunted. The albino crocodile sneaks up behind them and swallows them whole.”
“Wow, that’s quite a story,” I laugh. “Where does this crocodile end up?”
“No one knows,” Levi says. “It disappears after his very delicious meal and hasn’t been seen since. But ever since it disappeared, the neighborhood has an influx of missing cats and dogs. Related? Maybe.”
We both fall silent as the man enters the bus, walking past us without a suitcase in hand.
“Hopefully they lose his luggage,” I laugh.
The bus pulls away from the curb, and Levi and I continue the game with the cars we pass. There’s the astronaut on a family vacation, with an alien in the back seat that looks an awful lot like a golden retriever. There’s the pregnant assassin on her way to her next job, a beauty case of poisons next to her. There’s the pretty blonde baker who magically infuses her desserts with emotions.
By the time we hit the first state line, my mood has shifted dramatically. Yes, the heavy weight of loss is still there, but it’s cushioned by the knowledge that I can get through this, no matter what happens.
“So, how were James and Olivia?” Levi asks, and I tilt my head in confusion.
“Who?”
He gives me a knowing look, but I have no clue what he’s talking about.
“Brayden’s friends with the ranch in Mississippi,” he prompts.
“Oh, James and Olivia.” I rack my brain. Did he mention names? Is that right? “They were nice,” I say. “Very appreciative of our help.”
“And how did you like Mississippi?”
“It was nice,” I lie. “Super cute state.” What the heck is in Mississippi?
“Did he take you to that Elvis museum?” Levi asked.
“There wasn’t time,” I say, feeling my tongue dry out with each lie. Damnit, why didn’t I put my headphones on? “We didn’t really see much of anything there.”
“Probably because you were in Louisiana,” he says, and my stomach plummets.
“Right,” I say, then flash him a smile. “I wasn’t really paying attention. We practically flew there and back.”