Page 42 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
Chapter Twelve
Headed to the petting pantry: (1920s slang) Taking a hot date to the movies
They could have been headed for the petting pantry. Watching a film with his soon-to-be wife sounded like a fine idea to Boyd. Ornotwatching the film and just necking in the back row. That sounded like an even better idea. Instead, Mabel was insisting they go gather up the sacks of baking soda from her boardinghouse.
Being stuck on a reputable woman could be hard on a disreputable man.
Still, Boyd was in a buoyant mood. Playing the odds and waiting for Mabel to realize she belonged with him seemed to be working. She was even holding his arm, as they walked.
Like any gambler, Boyd believed in hot streaks and right now he was riding high on one. Everything was going his way! He had his girl beside him… The slime monster situation would soon be under control… He was partners in the biggest bootlegging racket in Nevermore County… Rico would soon be caught, because there were only so many places the little weasel could hide… All in all, it was a pretty good day to be Boyd Cassiday.
But things could always get better.
Boyd looked off in the direction of the local theater. It was only a few streets away from the boardinghouse. Everything in the center of Volstead was only a few streets from everything else. “You know, we could still pop on over and see what Rudolph Valentino’s up to.” He offered, because why not go for it when luck was with you? “You did promise me a date to the picture show.”
“I said ‘possibly’ and I did try to make that happen.” She looked guilty about missing the film, which was just adorable. “But, we have to get the baking soda from Mrs. Patten’s place, so we’re ready to fight the ooze monster. I told you, that’s why our date needs to be a Sunday stroll, instead.”
“The movie was practically on ourschedule,though.” He stressed. “I don’t think we should just change the schedule, willy-nilly. I know how much you like schedules.”
“I also like stopping slime creatures from destroying Volstead.”
“There’s nothing wrong with taking a little break from saving the town to go to the picture show. That’s all I’m saying.”
She slanted him a sideways look. “You just want to neck in a dark, cool theater.”
Boyd wasn’t going to deny that. “Well, itwasa scorcher today.” He looked up at the evening sky. “And our plan to trap the creature is going well. We’ve got three syndicates worth of men searching the countryside for it.”
“The ones that aren’t trailingus, anyway.”
He wasn’t going to deny that, either. “Rico’s still out there, too. I need to make sure you’re safe, so I put together a protection detail. It’s only a few guys.”
With a lot of guns.
She rolled her eyes like he was being silly, but didn’t press it. “In any case, I’m confident that we’re on the right track with our plan, but we still have a lotmoreplanning to do.”
“Iloveto plan. We can plan in excruciating and exacting detail. …With my hand down your blouse, in the back row of the movies.”
Mabel flashed him an even more put upon glance.
“It’ll help me think.” He defended innocently.
“Sucha difficult man.” Mabel lamented, but she was trying not to smile.
Boyd’s mouth curved.
They walked past the park and grocer, heading towards the boardinghouse. The streets were filled with other couples on Sunday strolls, but none of the women looked as good as Mabel. Her new hat matched her pretty green dress. It was an amazing little confection of netting and ribbons that set off her wide hazel eyes. He loved it.
He lovedher.
After months of sexual frustration and hopeless longing, he was finally able to touch the only woman he wanted. That was also helping his mood, quite a bit. Coming all over her dainty little hand had made him exultant. In his wildest dreams, he hadn’t expected her to be so eager and willing andhot. Once he got her into bed, he anticipated feeling jubilant for weeks to come.
“You’ve got about three hours left.” He reported helpfully.
“Before the ‘hecking me raw in every room of the house’ portion of the evening begins?” Her tone was delightfully prim.
“Oh, I doubt we’ll get toeveryroom, on the very first night. I’m committed to the project, but it’s a big house.”
“You really think I’m going to just follow along with your deviant ideas?”
