because of school you ran away to Moreytown and joined a street gang. When your gang got involved with the riots and you found out what your real father FORESTS OF THE NIGHT
283
was, you ran away from them. Now you're going to run away from this life, right?'
Nohar shook his head. 'I can't live here anymore . . .'
'I suppose not. But you aren't going to run away from me. I won't let you.' They sat, looking at each other.
'I suppose not.'
She smiled and shook her head. 'At least he doesn't object. Well, I got myself a new job, demographics for Nielsen.'
Nohar had a sinking feeling. He forced a smile. 'Great. Where?'
'Santa Monica.'
Nohar was speechless for a moment, and she seemed to enjoy his reaction. 'You knew I was going to California?'
' 'California is a lot more tolerant,' ' she quoted,
'Where did you hear that?'
'Those rodents had more than drugs and guns at that motel. The white one left this on the comm.' She reached into the overlarge bag and pulled out a ram-card. Nohar noticed the bag kept moving when she took her hand out of it. The bag emitted a slightly familiar smell. 'Seems to be a copy of whatever you had on permanent storage on your comm. I was going to give this to you when you got out of the hospital. But you slipped out without telling me. So I played it.'
Nohar took the card wordlessly.
'That Maria is one stupid cat for walking out on you.'
'No, she isn't.'
The handbag was still moving. Nohar couldn't hold it anymore. 'What the hell do you have in the bag?'
Stephie broke into a wide grin. 'I still remember that line you gave me in the parking garage, about your cat.'
Another thing Nohar wanted to forget. He sighed. 'Yes?'
284
S. ANDREW SWANN
Stephie reached in the bag and pulled out a small, gray-and-black tabby kitten and handed it to Nohar. Nohar had to collect himself enough to cup his hands under the little creature. It barely fit on his palm. Nohar watched as it stumbled a little, disoriented, and circled around. Then, finding the new perch satisfactory, it curled up, closed its eyes, and began to purr.
Nohar stared at the little thing in his hands, 'Damn it, Stephie. That isn't playing fair.'
'I know.'
She began scratching the little thing behind the ears.
