Hard News

stores.”
    “Plenty to choose from,” the lawyer offered. “Shitty merchandise, overpriced.”
    “Shitty,” Courtney echoed.
    “And check out some other streets too. And nobody’s going to tell me not to.”
    “Not a soul in the world.”
    Boggs was grinning.
    Rune said, “I’ve got some tapes left but I’ll have to interview you again. I want to start as soon as possible.”
    Boggs laughed. “Well, you don’t hardly have to even ask. There’s only one thing I’d ask first.”
    “Sure.”
    “You think we might rustle up some beer? It’s been a while, and I’ve really got me a taste.”

    chapter 24    
     
    THE PLASTIC BAG RANG LIKE SLEIGH BELLS. IT CON tained: a Heineken, a Moosehead, a Grolsch, two Bud-weisers (“Not the best by a long shot but it was my first—mind if I get a couple for, you know, sentimental reasons?”), a Tecate and a six-pack of Corona. Rune had also bought some Amstel but Randy Boggs had never drunk light beer in his life. “Don’t believe I’d like to celebrate my freedom with something like that.”
    They turned onto Christopher Street and aimed themselves at the Hudson, waiting for the stoplight to change. When it did they crossed the wide West Side Highway, Courtney holding tight to Rune’s hand and looking left and right the way she’d taught the little girl.
    Boggs asked, “Uh, where’d we be going?” He looked uncertainly toward the deserted waterfront.
    Rune felt Southern when she was with Boggs and she answered, “Yonder.”
    He looked at where she was nodding and laughed. “There?”
    They walked up the yellow gangplank to the houseboat, Boggs grinning and looking around him. “You don’t need me to say anything ‘bout it, I suppose. You live on one of these, you musta heard all kindsa comments by now.”
    Inside, Boggs walked from room to room, shyly inspecting. He’d carefully touch the stuffed animals, the scraps of lace Rune draped over lamps, the rose and blue magic crystals, her books. He’d laugh occasionally as he tried to figure out something—an eyelash curler or a broken antique apple parer that Rune bought because she thought it was a medieval weapon.
    In the kitchen she put the beers away and fixed the food they’d bought—crispy-fried Chee-tos and cans of refried bean dip and little shrimp cocktails in jars with pry-off lids. “I love these things. And you can use the jars for juice glasses later.”
    “Juice,” said Courtney. Rune poured Ocean Spray for the girl then filled a Winnie-the-Pooh dish with bean dip and handed her a spoon.
    “This is ugly,” the girl said, looking into it. “Yes, it is.” But she took the utensil and began to pick up bits of dip and wad it onto the spoon.
    “She’s showing off for guests,” Rune said to Boggs. “Court—you know how,” she added sternly.
    “Ugly food.” She scrunched her nose up but began to eat properly.
    “Napkin,” Rune reminded her and Courtney picked a paper napkin out of a stack in the center of the table and placed it on her lap. She resumed eating.
    Boggs watched them. “You’re kinda young to be a mother. Who’s the father?” He laughed. “Other than me, I mean.”
    “Long story.” She then said, “What kind of beer you like to start with?”
    “Believe I’ll start with a Bud. ‘Buy American.’ When I went Inside, three years ago, that’s what everybody was saying. ‘Buy American.’ But nobody makes beer like Mexicans. I’ll save that Corona for dessert.”
    “Come on over here.” Rune led him out to the deck, where they could have some privacy but she could still watch Courtney.
    “I didn’t want to say anything in there. In front of her.” She told him how Claire had abandoned the girl.
    Boggs shook his head. “I don’t think I ever met anybody who’d do something like that.”
    “Claire’s totally immature.”
    “I never had me any kids.” He grinned. “Not that I know of, anyway. Not so there was a paternity suit.”
    Rune said, “Me with a kid.” She shook her head. “You don’t know me that well but it’s definitely role reversal.”
    “Looks to me like you two get along pretty good, though.”
    Rune’s eyes were dancing. “Oh, she’s the best. I always thought kids were, like, completely obnoxious. You know, they go through this phase where they can’t talk— they have to screech. And they don’t eat; they just barf. But what it is—I’ve figured this out—they’re just like adults. Some days