How many people would buy the ticket if they could get their hands on
the winning numbers before the drawing?
No, he was committed. He was going to step very carefully, and when he
left, it wouldn't be walking, it would be in a solid gold limousine
with diamonds for headlights.
There was a price to be paid in human life, of course, but he was
willing to pay it--well... as long as it wasn't his.
Tuesday, June 7th Sperryville, Virginia
A light rain pattered tiny wet fingers on the tent, but the rip-stop
Gortex was up to it--water beaded and ran down the roof sides in
meandering rivulets.
It was just after dawn. Jay Gridley lay on his back watching the
drops. He was inside the two zipped-together sleeping bags next to
Soji, his head propped on his rolled-up jacket. She'd been right--he
hadn't been the least bit disappointed in this camping trip, no sir, no
way. This was the best vacation he had ever had, no two ways about it.
He wasn't a fan of the great outdoors, he was much more comfortable
creating a VR version of it and plugging into that, but no matter how
good a programmer you were, you couldn't begin to approach the reality
of sex.
Nope, nossir, no way, no how.
Jay glanced over at Soji, who was still asleep. He E
resisted the urge to reach over and stroke her dark hair. God, she was
beautiful. Smart, wise, everything he could possibly want in a woman.
The only question was, how could he make it permanent? Would she, he
wondered, laugh at him if he asked her to marry him?
Soji opened her eyes and smiled at him.
'Thinking about asking for your money back, white boy?'
'I'll have you know I'm half Thai,' he said, 'and that for your white
boy.' He gave her a slapped biceps and raised fist.
'And no, I wasn't thinking about asking for my money back, thank
you.'
'Scenery was worth the trip?'
'All the scenery I need is here in the tent.'
She laughed.
'Uh-oh, a flatterer trying to reattach me to my ego.'
'Yes, ma'am, I'm a Buddhist's worst nightmare. Listen to me, you will
fall right off the edge of the eight fold path.'
'Never happen,' she said.
'We Buddhists are middle-of-the-roaders, remember?'
Now he did reach out and softly run his hand through her hair.
She caught his hand, brought it to her mouth, kissed the palm.
'Hold that thought,' she said.
'I'll be right back.'
'Going to go and meditate in the rain?'
'No, I'm going to go pee behind the tent.'
'You're ruining my image of your holy nature.'
'Sorry. You'll just have to get used to me being a lowly human.'
'Like the rest of us.'
