Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Page 50

“Do what?”
“Make me forget all my problems.” As soon as he said the words, he looked sorry he had.
“What troubles do you have, Joe McAllister?” I asked.
He smiled and raised an eyebrow. “I have secrets of my own.”
“That’s nothin’ I didn't already know. Ordinary people go to the police, especially if their friend’s in trouble.”
His smile disappeared, replaced by guilt. “Rose, about…”
“Joe, it’s okay. It doesn’t matter.”
Shock replaced the guilt. “They’re goin’ to arrest you.”
“I know, but not until next week.”
“Is that why you say you only have four days? You think the police are going to arrest you in four days?”
I didn't want to lie but I couldn't tell him the truth either. I decided it was better to let him believe his theory. Lucky for me, I waited so long to answer that he took it as confirmation.
“Rose, if it comes to that I’ll tell them everything I know. I swear. I just can’t go right now. Will you trust me?”
If I was thinking long-term, I didn’t know that I would. I had no guarantee Joe was a safe bet. But four days? What could happen in four days?
“I’ll trust you until Monday.” I wasn't sure if I had told a lie or not, considering I'd be dead Monday. I reached up to kiss him, to seal our deal. But he leaned back, keeping his mouth out of reach. “No, we can’t do this until Monday.”
“What?”
“I want to prove that I’m trustworthy. I won’t touch you until Monday, then you’ll know I really like you and I’m not wantin’ to take advantage of you.”
“Maybe I want you to take advantage of me.”
Joe laughed and shook his head. “I’ll take advantage of you after Monday.”
“That doesn’t help me at all. It’s on my list and I have to do everythin’ on my list by Sunday, preferably Saturday.”
He looked confused. “I thought you said Monday.”
I groaned in frustration at my slipup.
He forged on. “My guess is they’re tryin’ to get evidence to make the charge stick. It’s all circumstantial at this point, right?”
I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know that?”
He shrugged. “Common sense. I watch Law & Order just like everyone else.”
“How’d you know I couldn’t leave the county?”
“What?”
“I didn’t tell you I couldn’t leave the county, but yesterday you knew. How’d you know that?”
He scowled. “I told you, Law & Order. In any case, the police are waitin’ for the DA and he’s not goin’ to file the charges on Sunday. It wouldn't happen until Monday at the earliest.”
I raised eyebrows. “And you know this from Law & Order?”
He grinned and shrugged again. “TV is very educational.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t know about that. So are you gonna help me with my list?”
“You mean your Walmart List?” He looked downright ornery when he said it. “You’re workin’ on your list?”
“My Wish List; I have thirteen and a half already.” I lifted my chin, daring him to mock me.
“How do you get a half?”
“I bought the bra and panties, I just haven’t worn them yet.”
Joe started choking and his face turned red. “Excuse me?”
“Number nineteen. Wear a lacy bra and panties.”
It took him a second to speak. “I suppose you need me to help you with number fifteen?”
“You know what number fifteen is?”
“Of course, how could I forget do more with a man? But technically, you did. We got to second base if I remember correctly, and I’m positive I remember correctly.” He winked.
“Ha, barely! You very well know what I meant. I am not goin’ to die a virgin!”
“Who said anything about dying?” His words were sharp enough to cut through ice.
“Figure of speech.” I waved my hand, trying to convince him. “Who knows what will happen to me in jail.”
He looked like he didn’t believe me. “Well, tonight I’m not doin’ more. I’ll eat dinner with you and hang out with you, but I’m not helpin’ you with number fifteen,” He finished with a frown.
“If you don’t want to help me Joe, you don't have to. I can always find someone else. Why, just the other night I had a man practically offer.”
“Your date?” he scoffed.
I turned up my chin. “No, someone else.”
His expression changed. “Who?”
“It doesn’t matter. I turned him down, but if you don't help me, I'll find someone else who will.”
“Don't do anythin’ stupid, Rose.”
We stared at each other. “You’re tryin’ to boss me around again, Joe. I won’t stand for it. I let people boss me around the last twenty-four years. I’m sure not gonna be bossed around my last four days.” My voice was hard and cold. “I'll give you until Saturday night.”
I picked up Muffy’s leash. “Come on, Muffy.”
“I thought we were eatin’ dinner together.” He called after me.
“I never agreed to dinner, you just assumed. I already have plans.”