No U Turn

5

 "What are you staring at?" Cash asked.

Lori stood by the window a few seconds more.

"Nothing," she said. "Just a flock of buzzards across the street in the vacant lot."

"Maybe, it's a rabbit they're dining on."

"Shut up, Cash. You working late again tonight?"

"Yeah."

"What are you going to do with all that dough?" she asked.

"Ply you with presents. Take you on a Caribbean cruise. Buy a private jet."

The look in her eyes told Cash that Lori did not appreciate his good humor at all.

"Nothing really," he said.

"Umm," she said, raising her right eye brow in that funny way she had whenever he was grating on her last shot nerve.

"Okay," he said. "If you must know, I need to buy Jimmy's truck."

"Need or want?" Lori asked. "I feel jealous. If only I'd been born with a turquoise and white interior and exterior and was decades older, you'd be lusting after me. What is it with you and old stuff? I just don't get it."

"Look," said Cash, "that F100 is a steal. It's cherry. A '64. Low mileage. New tires. I gotta have it. Besides, he's practically giving it away. You know Jimmy's drowning in debt since marrying Binn. That gal's high maintenance."

Lori popped Cash on the butt.

"And I'm chopped liver," she said.

"Well," he said, "you are about the juiciest piece of . . ."

"Don't say it," Lori warned. "Oh, gosh! I'm late. I have to open up today. Rosie's not coming in until later. God, she's gonna be pissed if she finds out I missed the 6:30 rush."

Cash smiled.

"Since when do two people constitute a morning rush?"

"Shut up, Cash."