Page 52 of Atmosphere

“We all have bizarre priorities and, let’s be honest, probably God complexes,” Joan said. “There should only be one of us in a relationship. The other person has to make up for all the other things we lack. No, it’s a bad idea to fall in love with one of us. If you’re one of us.”

“I don’t know about that,” Griff said, smiling at her in a way she’d forgotten she didn’t like. They walked past Donna, Vanessa, and Harrison.

“No, I’m right about this,” Joan said. “I think about it a lot.”

“You think about it a lot, huh?” Griff pushed his shoulder into hers. “I think you’re wrong. Who else would put up with us except each other? Who else is going to understand why we might have to miss our kid’s recital or can’t be home on Christmas, or why we’re risking our lives?”

Joan looked at him, considering. She could not ever miss Christmas with Frances. Not ever.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” she said.

“Why not?”

“Because people never fall in love with who they should. This whole world is full of stories of people falling in love with exactly who they weren’t supposed to.”

“I had no idea you were such a romantic,” Griff said.

Joan rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe in love,” she said. “For me. So how can I be a romantic?”

Griff considered her. “What do you mean?”

Up ahead, Lydia was waving everyone over. Duke, Hank, Marty, Teddy, and Jimmy were all walking into a club. Donna ran past Joan and Griff.

Joan felt a hand on her shoulder before she heard Vanessa’s voice. “What are you two talking about?”

“Ford, don’t you think that Joan might just be a secret romantic?”

“I want to stop talking about this,” Joan said.

Vanessa looked at her with a smile Joan couldn’t decipher. “I think Joan still has a lot of things to figure out.”

Joan tightened her jaw. “You can be very condescending,” she said finally. “Has anyone ever told you that?”

Vanessa laughed. “No, actually.”

Griff stopped in place suddenly. “Oh, no.”

“What?”

Joan looked up at the sign, which said, “Continuous All Girl Shows.” There were neon outlines of half-naked women all over the storefront.

“Everyone went into a strip club?” Joan asked.

“Joan’s not going to a strip club,” Vanessa said.

Donna pulled at them. “Come on, everybody, it’s only fun if we all do it.”

Joan looked at the club door. The hairs on the back of her neck started to rise.

“I’ll do it,” Joan said.

“What?” Vanessa and Griff said at the same time.

But before anyone could say anything else, Joan walked through the front door.

—

Joan had seen women nakedin locker rooms.

---