Page 67 of Minus

“What the hell could I say at this point? You either think it’s the right thing to do, and you take the position, or you don’t, and Cutter finds someone else to become President.”

“What do you mean, someone else?” I asked.

Oddly enough, the thought had never occurred to me, as to who might become President should I turn Cutter down.

“The club has to have a president, and if it’s not you, it’ll be someone else.”

“What if itwasme?” I asked.

“Then we’d have our work cut out for us, wouldn’t we?”

* * *

Cricket

After putting a pot of coffee on to brew, Pearl led me to the back of the gigantic ranch house, where she pushed on a wall panel and a door popped open.

“Oh, my word, you have a Scooby Doo door?” I breathed out.

Pearl chuckled. “I’ve never heard them called that, but that’s what I’m calling them from now on.”

“Them? There are more than just this one?”

“I have sixScooby Doodoors. Never know when we gotta hide a Saint from a sinner.”

I followed Pearl into the ‘first-aid’ room and tried to keep my mouth from dropping open. This was a glorified hospital room, complete with lights, a rolling IV bag stand, and an official hospital bed. Pearl patted the mattress and smiled. “Hop on up, honey.”

I sat up on the end of the bed and Pearl leaned down and frowned. “I’m gonna need you to get those jeans off, so I can dress it,” she said. “You feel comfortable with that?”

“Is the door locked?”

“Yeah, honey, it’s locked.”

I nodded and pushed my jeans down past my knee. “I love your dress, Pearl.”

She grinned. “Thank you. Duke loves me in dresses, so I’ve worn one every day since we started going steady.”

“Really?”

She nodded while she tended to my knee. “Yep. I’ve pretty much worn the same thing, since our first date. A pretty dress, heels… and no panties.”

I choked on a laugh, so surprised she’d offered up that unnecessary piece of information.

“It’s important you please your man,” she continued.

“Isn’t it important he please you, too?” I asked.

“Of course, honey. If you’re with a good man, he will. And, if you’re with therightman, he’ll please you without you asking.” She washed her hands and pulled on gloves. “They risk their lives, you know.”

“I know,” I said quietly.

“Some men’ll go to hell and back for their woman. You find a man like that; you don’t let him go.”

“Did Duke go to hell and back for you?”

“On more than a couple of occasions.” She met my eyes. “Minus has done the same for you.”

“I’m not sure?”

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