Bambi and Thumper

Summer

At the end of the last day of school Bambi sat in Spike's car, cradled in the crock of his arms. His scent made her stomach churn and was everywhere, thick and mean.

"You know, Bambi you're all right. For a queer, I mean."

"Thanks... Spike."

Spike looked like he was going to smack her again. But then just smiled.

"I can't believe it. Me graduated! And it's all thanks to you."

"Anything for a friend."

"Me? Your friend?" Spike came off sounding both surprised and honored.

"No way! If my hate were an ocean, I'd crushed you down its Marianas Trench."

"Bitch!!" Spike crushed Bambi till she whimpered. "Then who?"

"Thumper."

"Thumper?!" Spike spat.

"Yes. He protected me, watched out for me."

"You stupid twat. You know Terry, you were tailor made to be a cunt."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"He used you every bit as much as me and Butch."

"More lies, Spike?"

Then Spike said something that was probably the only thing he'd say or know in his whole brutal and hopefully short life that was true. "You know what a woman is? A woman is someone who sees and understands everything but blinds herself so she can believe in love."

"Stop." Bambi tried to pull away not wanting to hear anymore.

"He sold you out."

"No. He loves me."

"You noticed didn't you. He's way taller than you now–broad shoulders–getting a beard too. He never took those pills."

"But I saw him."

"We said we'd go easy on him if he got you to go along."

"Go along?"

"Sure, get you to do anything we said."

"No. You're lying!" Bambi screamed, pelting Spike with her useless fists.

When she tired, Spike jerked her ponytail, snapping her head, bringing pain and reason.

Then he reached round Bambi and threw open the curbside door.

"You don't believe me? Ask him."

Then he shoved her out and into the gutter.

She saw only the glint of the tarmac in the afternoon summer sun, hearing the slam of that door and that car leaving forever.

After the sobbing and tears petered out, Bambi picked himself out of the sewer and brushed as much grease and grim off her butt as she could.

"All right," she promised to no one. "I will."

But she never did.