Page 46 of Missile Tow
“But he ain’t happy there,” she said. “I can tell he ain’t. Plus, the universe sent me a message.”
Now she had my attention. I’d forgotten Bertie had, on occasion, mentioned she communicated with forces of the universe. On the rare times she’d brought it up, I’d brushed it off as nonsense. I thought she was full of it, but I went along by ignoring her. Ironically, Van showed up and claimed the same supernatural connection she was on about now.
“What the hell do you know about messages from the universe?”
Van stepped out of the restroom but got sidetracked by a customer looking for butter. I should’ve yelled to him wherethe butter was located, but Bertie had me distracted with her statement about messages from beyond.
“Did you forget about my unique abilities?” she inquired, tapping the side of her head. “How do you think he came to show up here? Who made that happen?”
“I suppose you think you did?” I asked, my tone suggesting she might have a screw loose. “Suddenly, the universe does your bidding?”
She crossed her arms and nodded. “Yes,” she answered. “Universe, God, whatever. All I know is I manifested him.”
“Manifested?” I asked. “Whoareyou?”
“I’m the broad who’s saving you.BecauseI sure as hell couldn’t wait for you to do a damn thing, son.”
Unexpectedly, Van appeared from around the corner. Bertie hurriedly backed away when I jumped in surprise, and both of us looked guilty as shit. I was certain I appeared flustered from her odd behavior and his sudden arrival. I’d known her my entire life, and trust me, she’d barely mentioned shit like god, manifesting, or messages, or anything remotely related to the spiritual world.
“Did I interrupt you two?” Van asked, seeming self-conscious about being there.
I worried he thought we were gossiping about him, and I didn’t want him to feel bad. Trying to think of something to say without revealing Bertie’s rant about the universe, I waved his concern away.
“Work stuff,” I fibbed.
“Bullshit!” Bertie declared. “I was just telling Chip how I manifested your arrival.”
Van turned to me, and I rolled my eyes to indicate she was crazy. “She’s joking, Van,” I reassured. “You’ll get used to Bertie if you work here for a few days.”
Bertie locked eyes with Van, making sure she had his full attention. “I don’t mess around when I get messages from the universe,” she began, deploying her bestfrom-the-beyondvoice. “Especially when it takes human form like you, son.”
I gasped out loud. “Oh my god, Bertie!” I exclaimed, shaking my head at Van so he’d understand I thought she’d lost her marbles. “You’re insane, woman,” I added.
“Ask Vance. He knows,” she said to me before quickly turning toward him. “Why do you believe you ended up in Missile, young man?” Van turned to me as if to ask if he should respond to the crazy lady. She continued without receiving Van’s answer. “I’m betting you were driving by and felt a strange urge to stop, or someone told you about this town. Which one is it?”
“Don’t answer her,” I warned. “She’ll probably tell you space aliens visit her regularly.”
“Well,” he began, a serious change overcoming his normally light expression. “Someonedidtell me about Missile,” he confessed. Bertie dramatically lifted her arms and let them drop to her side, all the while giving me atold-you-soglare. Van continued. “I’d planned on driving this route to Denver anyway, but someone advised me to fill up on gas here instead of stopping at the town before.”
“Because we’re cheaper than St. Regis,” I blurted out. “Just a coincidence.”
“Is that true, Vance?” Bertie pushed. “Just a coincidence?”
I felt sorry for Van because he didn’t know he could simply tell Bertie to mind her own business or to fuck off. She wouldn’t take offense. In fact, she’d probably brush right past his protest and keep yakking her nonsense either way. But I’d learned he wasn’t the type to speak to an older individual in that manner. Or any individual, for that matter.
“Chip’s ex told me about Missile,” he disclosed.
Bertie’s eyes saucered. “I see,” Bertie murmured, shifting her eyes to me but remaining engaged with Van. She obviously wanted me to pay full attention to her. She studied me carefully before proceeding with her interrogation.
“And that’s all you need to know, Bertie,” I stated.
Of course, she ignored me. “So… you know John.” Her words were not a question. After making sure I’d heard Van’s admission about John, she turned back to him. “And please tell me how that came to be.”
“Don’t answer her,” I said to Van. “This is not your business, Bertie.”
She held her hand to my face while locked on Van. “He can answer if he chooses, Chip. I just want to know why he chose to stop here.”
“As it turns out, John is the boyfriend of my ex, Evan,” Van said. “John told me about Missile but never mentioned Chip.”
