The Ice Age Read Free Page A

a little nervy. But that didn’t seem to hurt us. The fact that we weren’t so locked into our comfy groove together meant we were able to put more of our individual vibes out into the world. We managed to charm our way through several towns. People were actually starting to think I was his nice little daughter. We weren’t creeping people out anymore.

    Maybe we’ve been getting too charismatic for our own good. Because we decided to hit the town again last night, and this time together. People thought it was cute I was hanging around. But then Gunther started talking to a pretty lady at the bar. I’d been sitting at the booth for a while, and it didn’t look like he was ordering us any food. In fact, it looked like he was buying them both a drink. And she was laughing.
    I never have much money of my own, so when I need to buy my own meals I usually head for a vending machine. Vending machines must be romantic beacons for me, because when I got to this one there was a nice-looking boy there; kind of punky with dyed black hair, and sort of a shy slouch. He was buying an oversized chocolate chip cookie. We said ‘hey’. He said that was his dinner. I got a candy bar and said, ‘Mine, too.’
    The candy bar was gross. He said I should have gotten a cookie; his was good. And filling. I said I didn’t have enough change. So he talked me into letting him buy me one, and we went outside and sat on the curb by the parking lot. His talking was more interesting than the farm boy’s. I didn’t know what he was on about half the time, but at least he sounded like he knew, sounded smart. He was talking about music and anti-mainstream stances. He didn’t ask me any dumb small-talky questions. He mostly just talked about himself.
    By now I thought it was time we got to the kissing. He was a boy, and I was pretty sure that’s what boys want. I leaned in, but he didn’t seem to get the point. In fact, he kind of melted into an even more closed posture. He was almost folding in on himself. We talked some more, and then he got onto the subject of how girls like me never like guys like him. I asked him what a girl like me was, and he didn’t elaborate. He just stayed all slouchy. I definitely had to kiss him now. To make him feel better, and to show him he was wrong. So I did, and he seemed kind of startled, but then warmed into the kissing nicely. He wasn’t as pushy as the farm boy. He was softer. This was nice. I got all tingly faster. We stayed out there in the parking lot like that for a while, swapping spit and lightly pawing each other. He said a few nice things to me, about me being pretty and all that. Then he said we should go back to his room. Apparently his parents had got him his own room, with a balcony and everything. I thought that seemed like a bad idea, and I knew Gunther would be upset. In fact, that suggestion brought me crashing back to earth. I said I better go, and went back to our room.
    Gunther wasn’t there. He came in just after dawn, looking disheveled and weary. He avoided looking me in the eye and flopped onto his bed, fetal position. Clothes and all. This room had twin beds, instead of two double, or one double and one cot. He stayed like that until he got up to take a shower. He went through his morning routine, and eventually looked very refreshed. He was calmer than he has been of late on today’s drive, and even more polite than usual.

    He returned and kept to his civilized ways and his reclusive rituals for a while after that night. He was reading good books and talking about ideas and ideals with me, just like old times, smoking away. I was typing loads on the tacky typewriter, smoking with him. We had some interesting discussions, and sometimes when we were stoned I could make him laugh a lot, then he would beam. And, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned, I like it when he shines those eyes on me. I felt comfortable again, but I