Shoe Strings

new style and Lita with freshly trimmed hair.   She’d had more fun than she’d
expected.   Her eyes scanned the
streets, looking for any sign of Jesse.   That’s all it would take to ruin the afternoon or at least complicate
it.   Cal honked in greeting and
pulled his car up to the curb where they’d stopped on the sidewalk.   “Well, look at the two of you.”
    Kerri Ann gave Cal the most genuine smile Lita had seen her
use.   She elbowed Lita.   “Heard you’ve been putting up with this
prissy thing for the past week.”
    “Lita’s been spreading her charm at the cabins, that’s for
sure.”   He winked at Lita.   “I’m hoping she ditches the big city for
us.”
    “I don’t think we’re fancy enough for her, Cal.”
    Lita gave Kerri Ann an affectionate push toward Beaumont’s,
the town’s only clothing store.   “We’re not done yet, Cal, so if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got clothes to
buy.”
    “We do?”    Kerri Ann stopped and looked at Lita.   “A new hairdo and polished toes aren’t
enough for you?”
    “Not by a long shot.   And it shouldn’t be enough for you, either.”   She held the door of the shop open for
Kerri Ann.   “Don’t stop now.”
    It only took forty-five minutes and three forced turns in
the dressing room for Kerri Ann to fork over her credit card for a summer dress
in pale lime and a matching bra and panty set Lita insisted she purchase.  
    “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.   I don’t have the slightest idea where
I’ll even get the chance to wear such a frilly dress.”   Kerri Ann placed her card back in her
wallet and unconsciously rubbed the soft cotton between her fingers.
    “Sometimes you have to get the clothes and let the party
come to you.”
    “You’re not buying anything.”
    “I wasn’t looking for me.”   It was the first time she’d ever shopped
for someone else and was surprised by how much she loved it.   “Lord, Kerri Ann, if I had your figure
I’d shop every day.”
    “What figure?   I’m a bean pole.”
    “You’ve got a model’s body, with enough muscle tone to keep
you from looking gaunt.   Everything
looks good on you.”
    “I’d rather have a little of what you’ve got.”   Her eyes lingered on Lita’s chest and
hips.   “Your curves are what men
like.”  
    “I know plenty of men who prefer your type.”   One handsome lawyer
in particular .   “I’m
starved.   What do you say you make
me some of your fabulous pizza and we can rehash our day?”
    “If I go to work, I’ve got to work.   But I did have fun, Lita.   It’s been a long time since I’ve done
anything just for the hell of it.”
    “I’m glad to have helped.   And I’m serious about being
hungry.”   She slung her arm through
Kerri Ann’s.   “Let’s have a slice and
then, I swear, I’ll let you get back to work.”  
    The restaurant was quiet.   The only customer sat in a booth with a
book, an empty plate, and soft drink.   “Well, I guess it shouldn’t be hard to sneak a slice before the dinner
rush.”   Kerri Ann motioned to the
bar.   “Have a seat and I’ll get you
a drink.”  
    Lita slipped onto a bar stool and cupped her chin in her
hands.   “Just bring out whatever
you’re having.”
    “Let me put these bags in the back and see what we’ve
got.   I’ll be right back.”   She disappeared through the swinging
kitchen door and Lita sat back in the barstool.   She’d had fun with Kerri Ann, but she
felt guilty for not telling her about her dinner with Jesse and her nagging
attraction to him.   All day long she
kept trying to picture the two of them together, the athletic blond with the
biting tongue and the carefree Jesse.   It never came into focus.  
    “Here’s your beer and the pizza will be out in a
minute.”   She sat in the seat next
to Lita and stretched out her long legs.   “Boy, it feels good to sit down.   I’d forgotten how much shopping wears you out.”
    “I’ve always considered it a sport.   Ummm,” she said after her first sip of
beer.   “I believe I’m developing a
taste for beer.”
    “Give me a week or two and those city ways will be a thing
of the past.”   Kerri Ann sat up as
the slices were delivered.   “Thanks,
Frank.”  
    Lita looked at the meat-covered slice and noticed Kerri Ann
had two on her plate.   “How do you
stay so thin?”
    “Metabolism,” she said with her mouth full.   “Comes along with the bean