Page 12 of Forever Fascinating

“Hey… yeah, you definitely look like a wispy cloud…Vaporrrr,” one man drawled, before laughing and walking off.

“So, you’re the idiot… nice.”

“Wassup,Gas-X…”

“It’sMetamucil, Firefly… sheesh… get his call sign right.”

“’Sup, buddy… welcome to the fam,Helium.”

“Hey, nice to meet ya,Airhead.”

Only to see them turn and greet X-Ray in much the same way, mocking both of their call signs. It was almost like being hazed in the military, except these men weren’t in anymore… they just still thought the same way.

Matthew stepped aside, watching them walk past, the men holding their children, or carrying baby carriers, as they made the verbal jabs good-naturedly.

Alpo had one baby carrier and his wife, Glory, had a sling wrapped around her, holding the other baby. This was the couple he’d stayed with last night – and barely saw them at all because the babies were having a rough evening.

Every time he turned around, someone was coming up or down the stairs to get a bottle, more diapers, a snack, and at one point he heard an aspirin bottle open.

He’d jerked the covers over his head at that point, praying for a little bit of sleep.

They were incredible hosts, extremely nice and kind, but just very distracted and completely wrapped up in their new little family – and each other.

“C’mon, Vapor,” Alpo smiled. “You’re at our table.”

“I’ll be inside shortly. I think I’m gonna go ‘burn’one…”

“You really should quit smoking,” Glory said automatically, reverting into ‘mom form’almost immediately, causing Matthew to smile politely at her. “And I don’t want to find cigarette butts in my potted plants either, mister.”

“No ma’am. I promise. I’m trying. I really am,” he admitted easily. “I’m down from a pack a day, to one pack for the entire week. It’s more of a nervous habit.”

“Why are you nervous?”

“Nothing,” he balked, realizing what he’d said. “No reason at all.”

“It’s not us, is it?” Glory asked pointedly, frowning at him as Alpo leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek tenderly.

“Babe, I’m going to go set Madison down and get our table,” he offered, smiling proudly as he looked at the carrier he held. “Vapor, we are gonna be on the left when you walk in.”

“Thank you.”

Glory stood there watching him, before she smiled slowly, instantly making him even more nervous. Hereallyneeded that cigarette now. The woman looked like she was up to something.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Wasn’t thatyour husbandthat just walked past us?” Matthew gaped, stunned and taken aback at the brazenness of the woman. Goodness! She just had twins and one of them was asleep in her arms.

“Not for me, you nitwit!” she laughed easily. “You should check out the dance floor and let me know if you see someone who interests you. I’ll give you all the details, and let you know if they are available. I know quite a few people in this town now.”

“I appreciate the offer.”

“You betcha,” she smiled. “We’ve gotta keep our handsome flyboys happy, so they decide to make Yonder their home… eventually.”

“This New England boy doesn’t think he can handle the Texas summers very well.”

“Don’t give me that,” she sassed immediately, winking at him. “I know where your stationed and it’s just as hot there. You’ll be fine, Vapor… seriously though – quit smoking.”

“I’ll try.”

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