Page 87 of Secondhand Smoke
“Holy shit.”
“You’re lying.”
Their reactions overlapped, growing more outrageous by the second.
“I didn’t get handsy. I just kissed her.”
The car flew into uproar. Barrett kept his eyes on the road as they merged onto the freeway. It shook a little as Paulie bounced in his seat, with his hands holding his head in disbelief.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Scott fucking Barrett.” Toni clapped slowly, curls swinging as he shook his head. “With JanellefuckingDuncan. Unbelievable.”
“For your information, she confessed her feelings for me.”
“Oh, now Iknowyou’re full of shit.” Dennis kicked the back of Barrett’s seat.
“What kind of voodoo did you whip up for that to happen?” Paulie asked.
“Now, now, gentlemen. Lay off him.” Toni shushed them and turned to Barrett. “So, what, you got the girl?”
Barrett’s eager smugness and still pounding heart slowed slightly. “I mean, I think so?”
“Youthinkso?” Toni laughed and patted him on the shoulder. “Ah, man. The first thing you’d better do when you get back isknowso. Good thing patience is a virtue, and you’ve waited almost five years. That’s gotta count for something.”
Minutes passed before they all calmed down and drove the rest of the way. All he had to deal with was a few more classic ribbings and a couple of sideways glances that said: “Damn, Janelle Duncan. Who knew?”
When they weren’t talking anymore, Barrett caught himself also wondering the same thing in the throes of his highway hypnosis, stuck on her sparkling blue eyes and the way heknewher breath caught when he kissed her.
He sighed and wondered:Janelle Duncan. Who knew? Who knew?
35 - Nell
It was the first bearable weekend in a month.
Instead of withering away for three days in her bedroom, Nell had put the bottle down early and joined her parents for Sunday dinner.
Her mother fluttered around the room, chattering on about this and that, but grinning the entire time as she set the table. She only stopped talking for Nell’s dad to say grace, but as soon as they said their amens, she was there again.
“I guess you’re feeling better this week?” she asked as Nell took a bite of her potatoes.
Yes, she felt better. She felt amazing. She even had an appetite. She’d thought she might never enjoy eating again, but right now that baked potato was heavenly.
When she smiled, it was genuine. “Yeah, I had a pretty good week.”
Her mother sighed dramatically, like a massive weight lifted off her chest and let her breathe fully again—similar to how Nell felt after Barrett had kissed her.
She’d sighed more times this weekend than ever before, all deep and dream-like.
“I’d love to meet your friends sometime.”
Nell’s fork paused. A piece of cheese fell off in her hesitation. “Really?”
Her mom nodded furiously. “You always seem happier after you’ve been with them. Maybe at dinner next Sunday! What do you think, George?”
Nell’s father nodded, his face holding a softer version of her mother’s smile. “That’s a great idea, dear.”
Their attention turned back to her, awaiting an answer.
Nell swallowed, wincing as a too-big piece of potato went down rougher than usual. She coughed, giving herself time to find an excuse.
