Page 18 of A Deeper Blue
“I guess I should have invested in that Microsoft company,” he said, scratching his head. “I only invested in that fruit company because that Steve guy seemed really confident. He said personal computers were the coming thing.”
Azure froze. “You invested in Apple?”
“Uh-huh. I guess it was a mistake. I just saw a commercial for that Microsoft stuff. I guess they’re big now.”
“Do you still… uh… have Apple stock?”
“Yeah. They send me statements, and I vote on things sometimes. I have a guy who takes care of that stuff. He keeps saying we need to talk, though. Says he wants to retire.” Rafe sighed heavily. “Humans get old so fast. I don’t want to find a new guy.”
“You should probably hang on to the Apple stock,” said Azure. “They’re pretty big now too.”
“Oh, good. That Steve guy was kind of a dick, but sometimes that’s who gets stuff done. It seemed like he could make the future happen.”
“He did,” said Azure. “And then he died of cancer.”
“Oh. Fucking cancer. Did you find a suit?”
“Yeah,” said Azure. “Can we get out of here now? This place gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
“What is so wrong with Walmart?” he demanded, looking around in annoyance.
“I physically don’t do very well with chemicals and plastic,” said Azure. “And they have a lot of both here. Also, they don’t allow their employees to unionize or pay them a decent wage, which causes lost income for an entire community. It actually costs a community money when a Walmart comes to town. Meanwhile, they pay virtually nothing in corporate taxes, and they have been convicted of bribery in attempts to secure locations. Also, they import most of their crap from China which contributes to pollution and ongoing environmental problems.”
He made a grunt of displeasure. “I just need groceries and beer sometimes.”
“Yup,” said Azure, with a shrug. “That’s how it is.”
His expression was sour as he glared at her. “You are ruining Walmart for meright now.”
“I didn’t tell you to stop shopping here,” she said.
“Except that now I’m going to think about what you just said every time I’m in one!”
“Yeah, I know,” said Azure, smiling sweetly and batting her eyelashes at him.
“I don’t want to shop at hippy stores!”
Azure couldn’t stop herself from giggling as he stomped away.
“You’re an evil woman,” he barked over his shoulder, which only caused Azure to laugh harder.
Azure bought the rain suit while Rafe waited for her just outside of the check stand area. He was standing, his arms folded in a way that said he would not be forgiving her for ruining Walmart any time soon, when an elderly man with a cane approached him. Rafe leaned down to hear what the man had to say. Azure tried to watch them out of the corner of her eye as she paid, so it wouldn’t look like she was staring. Rafe’s head dipped, and his posture softened. Then the old man patted him on the shoulder and walked away.
“Rain gear achieved,” said Azure walking over. He smiled at her, and she could tell whatever bad mood he’d been harboring had dissipated. “Were you getting hit up to donate to the veteran’s memorial?”
“No, I was getting sage life advice from a man young enough to be my grandson.”
“Aging teaches its own lessons,” said Azure, repeating her grandmother’s maxim. “Don’t mock humanity’s frailty. It’s often their strength.”
“Yes,” he agreed and gave her a soft kiss. She looked at him, puzzled by his change of mood. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get to Oregon.”
He held her hand on the way out to the parking lot, and Azure wasn’t sure what to make of that, but she had to admit she liked it. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d held hands with someone. But they had barely set foot outside when the second sight flared up, and she stumbled. Rafe grabbed her and held her steady while the present came back into focus.
“They’re here,” she said, looking up at Rafe.
“Who’s here?” he asked, looking around.
“The Warlocks.”
