"Oh, it's no big thing," he said. "Cut myself shaving."
She flashed him a skeptical look but leaned in and gave him a hug. He yelped.
"How did you — "
"Shaving," he said, then quickly segued before she could recover. "Ready for the movie?"
"Sure. And I was thinking afterward we could go back to your place and try to use the shovel again."
Kerchack started the car and pulled onto the dirt road leading to Rowling. "Sorry, but the Sheriff confiscated it."
"He can't do that."
"We're better off without it," said Kerchack. "Trust me."
"It's bullshit. First, they take your shovels. Then, they take your guns. Then, the next thing you know, we're all communists."
"Yeah, well, what are you gonna do?" he said.
The next five minutes passed in silence as Denise silently fumed.
"Denise, uh, baby." The words sounded strange attached to his voice. "I know this is kinda dumb question, and maybe I shouldn't ask it, but you didn't like me just because of the shovel, right?"
She laughed. "Damn, 'Chack, you are one insecure guy. C'mon, I'm not going to sleep with a guy just because he has a magic shovel. I mean, what kind of girl do you think I am? I let Gary Hinkley feel me up a few times because he had that sweet convertible, but it was strictly under the shirt, over the bra."
She kissed him on the cheek. "I think I really like you, 'Chack."
He grinned, not even noticing the pain.
