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    receptionist and towel girl. She was trying to get her phys ed degree so she could be a trainer. Unfortunately, studying was never a priority with Jessie so she often had to drop classes and then retake them.
    “What’s with the bear?” Hilton asked.
    “She’s her constant companion. Her first lover gave it to her and the bear’s been with her ever since.”
    “Where’s the girlfriend?” Liz asked.
    “Oh, long gone, but if you talk nice to the bear you’re in like Flynn,” Jessie said.
    “Let me guess, the bear’s name is Amelia Bearheart,” Liz said.
    She finished her beer. Hilton noticed she’d still managed to scrape off part of the painted label. She put the bottle down and was digging white paint from underneath her fingernail.
    “How’d you know? See, you’re halfway there,” Jessie said, obviously impressed with Liz’s ability to name bears.
    “The bear’s got a flight jacket on and goggles,” Hilton said, having reached the same conclusion.
    “Why aren’t you going after her?” Liz asked.
    “I want her friend, the tall blonde over there,” Jessie replied.
    “Oh, so I’m supposed to entertain the freak with the bear while you cruise her friend,” Liz said snidely.
    “Well, I mean, it would help. Couldn’t you just go and talk to her?”
    “No.” Liz left to get another beer.
    “What’s up with her? The woman looks nice.”
    “I gotta go,” Hilton said.
    “Where are you going?” Jessie asked.
    “To check on Shannon. I’ll be back and then I’ll talk to the freak while you line up your next conquest.”
    “Really?”
    “What are friends for.”
    Jessie smiled and disappeared back into the crowd.
    Hilton went out back to discover that Shannon had gotten out 8
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    and was playing ball with a woman she had never seen before. She must not have closed the door tight. Shannon was pretty good at nudging the door open if there was half a chance she might be successful at escaping. She always stayed in the yard but she seemed to do it as a protest that she’d been left behind. Shannon came romping up to her.
    “Is she your dog?” the woman asked.
    “Yes, and she’s supposed to be in the cottage taking a nap right now,” Hilton said. Shannon rolled over as if to apologize. Hilton sat on the grass next to her and rubbed her soft white belly.
    “Oh, so she’s a fugitive. Hi, my name’s Emily. I’m your new neighbor. Jessie invited me over but it was a little too crowded inside, so I thought I might get some air.”
    “Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Hilton.”
    “You’re the pickle heiress.”
    “I love that introduction. Jessie told you that.”
    “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ve never met a pickle heiress before.”
    “Am I everything you imagined?”
    “That and more,” Emily said coyly.
    Hilton smiled. The woman was obviously flirting with her, and for once Hilton didn’t mind. Emily had dyed pink hair and was wearing cutoffs and a man’s undershirt with no bra. Both her nipples were pierced and she had nice, small round breasts. She was nothing Hilton would normally date.
    “So are you from here?” Hilton asked politely. She sat down on the porch steps next to her. She’d rather talk to a punk rocker than a woman with a teddy bear as a constant companion. Jessie would get over it.
    “No, I just moved here from Vancouver. I’m going to school.”
    “What for?” Hilton took the last swig of her beer and wished she’d grabbed another one on the way out. Emily was also out of beer, she noticed.
    “I don’t know yet. I’m still doing basic courses right now. I must’ve changed majors five times now. It’s hard trying to decide 9
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    what you want to do with your life. I’ll probably just get a bache-lor’s in liberal arts and then slave away in a coffee shop somewhere.”
    Hilton laughed. “Hey, do you want to get another