"Did you do that for an ulterior reason Tom?" Bevisste asked.

I was digging through my fridge that was suddenly bursting with more greenery than I had ever seen in it. It looked like a goddamn tree had decided a cold dark place was the perfect spot to put down roots and begin a family of many smaller trees. If she had brought this much gross healthy food to my house, she was either out completely or had two refrigerators at her apartment. She’s lucky I was most likely in love with her or I would have thrown it all out.

"No. I didn’t want her to think I am an alcoholic just because I see nothing better to do than get drunk every day. I needed her to know there was a reason. Although I did get a little carried away, that was from the liquor. Aha!" I found the expensive bottle of beer I kept in my fridge because I always forgot about it when at the store. It was one of those seasonal brews with twenty percent alcohol content. Thick as molasses and not nearly as good. It would do the trick though.

"Come on girl." I called to Lucky. She jumped a little off her hind legs to lick me on the side of the face then bounded to the door.

"I wonder what will happen if I tell her a shower with her will help me out." I said outside, on the sidewalk, far away from my apartment and her prying ears.

"I imagine she would say nothing to you. Ever again."

I chuckled at her statement as I watched Lucky sniff at a spot on the ground so hard it was amazing she didn’t hurt her nose by breathing in a sharp pebble or something. Shit and she was off, hot on the trail of something. Thank God for self-locking doors.  I didn’t have to worry about someone opening the door and murdering my future wife.

"Lucky! What the hell are you doing?" I stopped as a burp of wine, liquor and thick-ass beer came to the surface. Lucky being as disgusting as dogs are came over and happily licked the vomit up. It caused me to vomit a second time. Dogs are so gross.

"Damn me but she is beautiful. Why are you showing me an image of Cleo, Bevisste?" I asked as a three-dimensional view of Cleo’s head was slowly rotating in front of me.

"She is calling you genius."

"Oh." I giggled like a girl. "She’s calling to tell me how insanely gorgeous I am and how she is getting her two extra arms removed and coming over with three friends who look just as good as her."

"That would literally not even happen while you dreamed at night Tom."

"Spoilsport. Hi Cleo. Have I ever told you how positively mesmerizing you look? You look like the beauty of a hundred angels rolled into one." Being as poor as I was I had absolutely no chance in hell at getting closer than two feet from her. I figured I would have fun at having the opportunity to talk to her. She also is so insanely gorgeous that my drunk mind could not stop from complimenting her.

"Oh my gosh you are the sweetest Tom. I can’t talk long, I don’t know when my connection will get cut off. Daddy is quite upset with me at the moment."

"I got your message. Well I found it; you know I got it since you’re the one that gave it to me." I didn’t want to hear about her old man, it was ruining the romantic vibe.

"I knew I chose right when I contacted your boss. When will you be here?" She asked.

"Tomorrow night. Tube has a drop off at 2100. There will still be a couple hours of daylight left so that will be fine." I lied to her. I had no intention of giving away what time I was arriving in Marland. This wasn’t my first rodeo.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! I am going to owe you huge." She said seductively. My mind went into overdrive at the possibilities. I wasn’t even aware she cut the connection until I went to compliment her a second time.

"Tom, they will be watching the Tube all day long; somebody from her camp or her father’s camp."

"I know, that’s why we are leaving tonight. Do I have any more of those drunk tabs at home?" It was the name I gave to the Tielen Alcohol Absorption Tablets. I never bought name brand so I just called mine drunk tabs.

"Yes, you have an unopened package in your bathroom that you purchased four months ago."

"I told you I had a reason for purchasing them."

"Yes." Bevisste replied dryly. "What are you going to do about Lucky?"

I looked at the dog trying to rub against a recycler canister. Her sheer size kept moving it further into the alley every time she pushed against it.

"Laetitia asked if there as anything she could do to help. Well watching Lucky is helping and I’m letting her use my electricity while gone. Even if she thinks I am abusing our friendship I’m pretty sure she’ll watch Lucky until I return."

Next Chapter: I hate sonji