Lethe Vita

Chapter 28

They were out of honey.

Sugar; they were out of that, too.

Ketchup. Mustard. Whipped cream. Caramel syrup. Chocolate syrup.

Fuck, not the chocolate syrup.

"Steve!"

"What?"

"How did we run out of chocolate syrup?"

"Do I really need to remind you how we ran out of chocolate syrup, Babycakes?"

"Well, we need some pronto!" said Clare.

"More fun and games?" Steve bore a mischievous glint in his eyes, a mischief Clare felt certain no pirate could match. "We can easily find another condiment for that."

"Steve, Brenda's going to be here any minute and she's been craving chocolate syrup a lot lately. Do you want to be responsible for disappointing our Brenda, who, may I remind you, is nine months pregnant, when she has a craving that can't be satisfied?" asked Clare.

"Just ask Dylan to send some along," said Steve.

"We need to lay off the condiments," said Clare.

"Really?" Steve gathered Clare to his towel-clad waist. "I was thinking we didn't use them enough." He plunged his lips into her neckline.

"You should get dressed," said Clare, trying to concentrate.

"You should get undressed." Steve granted just as much attention to the other side of Clare's neck, and then to her collarbone. "We still have time before they get here."

"Kind of defies the purpose of a shower."

"Then I'll take another one, this time with a companion. I prefer taking one with a companion, anyway."

"Exactly how many companions do you take showers with?"

"Lately? Just the one."

As usual, when Steve's lips claimed Clare's, she rediscovered the inability to maintain a clear head.

"Brenda," she said.

"Ages yet," said Steve.

"Then how come I hear Val outside?" asked Clare.

"Coinky-dink," said Steve.

The intercom announced otherwise.

"You better put some clothes on," said Clare.

"I'm not done," said Steve.

"So you want Brenda to tell Dylan all about how she saw you in only a towel?" asked Clare.

"I better put some clothes on," said Steve. "The second Bren leaves today -"

"We'll resume." Clare shooed Steve away and opened the door.

"We're early, I know," said Valerie. "Brandon insisted on leaving for the airport earlier than we need to. Dylan's dropping us off so Brandon avoids paying for parking and none of us were confident about how well Brenda would handle the overstimulation, so thank you for agreeing to watch her."

"I'm sorry you have to watch me," said Brenda. "I shouldn't need to be watched, but Dylan will hardly let me be alone. I said I could wait in the car while he saw them off and he said no way, José. I don't know who José is. Dylan didn't know who he is, either. He said it's an expression, but I think it's weird."

"Dyl's not the only one who won't let you be alone," said Val.

"Can't say I blame them," said Clare. "You're always welcome to hang out here, Bren."