inFAMOUS: Winter Solstice

Chapter 7

"And there you have it. Christmas is saved thanks to me and my buddy Cole."

Grace starts to laugh. It looks like I amused her well enough.

"So, what do you think?"

She stops and looks at me. "I think you are probably the best improvisational story-teller I've ever seen."

"Uh...yeah..." I stutter. "I mean, all of that was true, but I never told the story before."

"Do you honestly think I'd believe there really exists a man that can shoot lightning from his fingers and two women that that have fire and ice superpowers?" She tilts her head a little less than pleased.

"Well, yeah." I nod. "I'm not lying. All three of those guys are my best pals."

"Uh-huh, sure. Let's add on the fact that it never has nor will it ever snow in Louisiana. Not in a million years." She stands and lays the money she had gotten out of her purse on the table. "But you were right. It was a nice Christmas story. Except I'm not totally crazy like you to legitimately believe superheroes exist."

I stand even faster and try to stop her. "Aww, Grace! Wait!"

She stops and turns with a small smile. "Maybe I'll see you around, Zeke. Try making up a realistic story next time you want to impress a woman."

Then she turns back to the door without another word.

"I'm tellin' you, it was true..."

She didn't answer me this time.

I sigh and face the bar again. There I find the bartender sliding me another beer.

"Frank, I didn't ask for that."

He takes up Grace's money and wipes the table with a cloth. "I know. But that one's on the house, paid for by your buddy over there."

He points to a booth behind me. When I look, there's no one there.

"Huh, guess he left."

"Cole? He was here?"

"Oh yeah. He was here for a little while. He just sat there with that skimpy gal listening to your story. Then that lady with the ice on her arms came in and dragged him out."

As he tells me, I pick up the bottle and whisk it around a little. I can't help but smile.

"At least someone liked my story."

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"I still can't believe it," Nix groaned as she, Kuo and I exited the bar. "How does one man fit so much bullshit into one story? He made me out to be some pussy goody-two-shoes."

"You think that was bad?" Kuo scoffs in reply, "He just told a story that made me look like a helpless public endangerment. As if I needed that to remind me I'm this...freak."

"Come on, it wasn't that bad," I say, standing up for my best friend and his talent for improvisation. "I think Zeke at least got me right-the good and the bad parts."

"Well, of course, he got you right, Cole. He's your best friend and the two of you practically live together."

I look at Kuo and say, "Alright, aside from butchering you two, you've gotta admit the whole point of the story was worth it."

"The point was to get into her pants," answers Nix. "If you ask me he would have better luck dragging her back to your place after a few more beers."