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.She steadied the load and waved back.Then she nearly collided with Rocky as she turned the corner to the driveway.He was speeding toward the street with paper towels in his lap.The garage door was closing behind him.She may have been about to be mowed down, but that didn’t stop her from stealing a glance at the mysterious space he’d forbidden her to enter.She couldn’t see a thing.The box wobbled and flopped out of her hands.Rocky made a sharp but seemingly effortless swerve to the side.He whirled around and stopped at about the same time she began seriously re-thinking her decision to stack her teal, pink, and yellow panties at the top of the open box.They floated down and littered the ground between them.She glanced at the neighbor.He was laughing as he mowed.“I thought you were at church!”“I was.I thought you weren’t leaving until morning.”“I’m not.” She dropped to the ground and shoved things back into the box.“I was putting this in the car.And what are you doing to my car, anyway? Why is the hood up?”“I’m checking the fluids.If it’s anything like your computer, I’m not a moment too soon.”“You’re so funny.For your information, I had the oil checked in May.It’s fine.How did you get in it? It’s locked.”“It’s open,” he said.“I opened the door and popped the hood.”“It’s parked on the street,” she argued.“I would have locked it.”“Fine.You locked it.Yet, I opened the door and pulled the hood release.Whatever.Call me Houdini.”“Oh, I’ve got somethin’ to call you.”“Save it for later.Right now I need to check the other fluids so you don’t get stranded somewhere in these skyrocketing temperatures on your quest to not stay here where it’s safe.What if it overheats?”“It’s not going to overheat.” She stood with the box.“But help yourself.I’ll start the engine so you can check the transmission fluid.Yeah,” she said with a smirk.“I know stuff.Car stuff.I know the engine has to be on to get a correct reading of transmission fluid.”“Give me a minute to check everything else first.Being a mechanic and all, you’ll understand it’s best to check the other levels while it’s cool.I don’t need a steam burn from the radiator.”His elderly neighbor to the left crept toward them with a garden hose.She inclined her ear as if to eavesdrop on their spirited discussion as she pretended to water a near-dead asparagus fern.“Hello, Rocky,” she called across the yard.He turned toward the voice.“Oh, hello, Mrs.Konchesky,” he said like warm butter.“How are you?”“Can’t complain.Everything all right?”“Fine, ma’am.Was your grandson able to stop that leak in your kitchen faucet?”“Not yet.”“Max and I will come look at it as soon as we can.”“I’d appreciate it.”“No problem, Mrs.Konchesky.You should get back inside.The mosquitos could carry you away tonight.”Mrs.Konchesky chirped what should have been a cute old-lady giggle—if she wasn’t so diabolical.It was more like an evil laugh to Gia’s ears.When Rocky looked away, the woman gave Gia the stink-eye.“Did you see that? That old biddy gave me a dirty look.”“Hey, watch it.She makes the best oatmeal raisin cookies in the world, and I’m her favorite on this street.I get them once a week.Don’t mess that up for me.”“So how long have you and the old neighbor lady been an item? And don’t tell me you’re not, because that lady is pretty uncomfortable with you having another woman on your premises.I’ll bet she’s seen what’s in your garage.”“What?”“Nothing.I’m putting this box in the car.How’d you get out of church so early?”“It’s not that early.Isn’t it around eight?” He parked his chair near the car and started working.“Pastor Charles doesn’t keep us too late in the summer.There’s talk of suspending Wednesday night Bible study for the month of July.People are travelling and all that.The church will still be open for prayer, but nothing formal.”“Everyone needs a break,” she agreed and noticed how he grabbed the side of the car and pulled himself up and forward to reach everything.“Can I help you?”“No.Some cars are harder than others, but I think I can get to everything.This won’t take long.I was serious about the mosquitoes.They’re bad.You should go in.But leave your keys.”“I’m OK.Have you eaten?”“No.If you’re hungry, I can go get us something.”“No, Rocky.No more take-out.That stuff is horrible for you.Don’t you ever cook?”“Yes, sometimes, but it’s not much fun for one.Doesn’t seem to be much of a point.”She leaned against the car
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