Page 110 of The Leaves In Autumn
“I’ve got it. Get the plates, or napkins, or we can eat right out of the box.”
“Okay.”
The kid at the door looks bored out of his mind. He’s new.
“Hi,” I say, getting my wallet. “How much?”
“Twenty-four fifty.”
I give him thirty. There is no thank you, but I don’t give a shit.
“Just leave it on the chair.”
He sets it down and follows me down the steps. By the time I make it to my car, he’s inside his. Opening the back door, I remove the bag and put the small box sitting on the seat inside. Hope she’ll like it. She stands at the open door, waiting for my return.Please don’t go. I know she must.
“Smells good, even though I will be required to remove the stupid pineapple which does not go with pizza. When I get to Italy, I am going to report you to the authorities.”
I pass through, carrying the box.
“Oh, poor girl! Not everything is exactly as you like it. How many times have I eaten pepperoni?”
“Never. You pick it off!”
She follows me back inside and closes the door.
“If we’re being technical about it, I eat it every fucking time, because it touches the entire slice. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.”
We laugh and it reminds me of how often it happens. She spreads out the paper towel “plates” on the coffee table.
“Do you realize how much time we have spent laughing?”
“Yep,” I say. “It’s all your fault.”
“Mine?”
I give her the biggest slice and take one for myself.
“Yours. Before we met, I barely cracked a smile.”
“That’s a lie! You forget I know the Lyons now. And their ways. I have heardmanystories about the Lyon brothers’ antics.”
“Well, that’s true. It’s hard not to have a good time with any of them.”
She enjoys the bite.
“You know you eat very sensually. Is that on purpose?”
“Sometimes.”
I like how she answered the question.
“What is the deciding factor?”
“You.”
“Oh really? You mean all this time I thought I was a pervert for thinking of sex when I watched you, and you were playing me? I’m bowled over by your nerve.”
“Did you forget I’m an excellent bowler?”
