“I would, but there is no snake in the box.”
I throw the lid open and find the box empty. “Shit.”
I run back to my rental car and peek into the windows, not daring to open it.
Skye walks slowly over to the car and looks in the window. “Was there ever really a snake, or is this all some stupid hoax where you try to save me from the snake or something?”
“There was really a snake. Alicia helped me out.” I hesitantly look over at Skye.
She shakes her head as she tucks a loose strand behind her ear. “Alicia needs to mind her own business.”
“She’s just looking out for you. She said she was concerned after what happened today.”
She looks up at me. “She told you?”
“No, she just told me you had a rough day and to treat you well. That you needed a distraction.”
She stares at me for a moment, lost in thought, and then returns her gaze to the car. “There,” she says, pointing to the driver’s side of the car where I’m standing.
I stare at the snake as it slithers up the side of the seat. I have no idea how we are going to capture it. “Should we call animal control or something?”
She laughs. “You’re afraid of the snake, aren’t you?”
“No.”
“Then, reach in, and grab the snake just behind the base of the head.”
I frown. “No, it could kill me if it bites me.”
“It’s not venomous. And it’s sick, so its reflexes are much slower. It shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
I stare at the snake that seems to be taunting me. There is no way I’m reaching in and grabbing that snake. I don’t care if my masculinity is put into question. Me and snakes don’t get along.
Skye rolls her eyes and then throws open the passenger door. She sticks her upper body in, and the next thing I know, she’s holding on to the snake and carrying it into her house.
Superwoman. She’s fucking superwoman.
I follow after her as she walks into the house, not asking for permission to come in because I don’t want to know the answer. As soon as I step inside the small house, I’m greeted again by her four dogs jumping and licking me.
“Down,” Skye commands.
All but one listen to her. She gives the last one a stern look, and he eventually stops jumping on me as well.
Skye lays the snake out on the counter and starts examining it while I step cautiously into the kitchen to watch her work. She runs her hands over the snake, like it’s a dog or a cat.
“It just has a cold. I’ll give her some medications, and she’ll be feeling better by tomorrow.” She looks at me. “Can you get me the box?”
I frown as I carry the box from the front porch to her. “Don’t you think we should put it in something more secure? It already escaped once.”
“How did I not realize how much of a pansy you were?” she asks, putting the snake into the box.
I smirk. “Probably because you were too busy getting your brains fucked out to care.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No, it’s not.” She walks back to the living room where there is an empty bowl that used to contain her Chinese food and a glass filled with tequila. She takes a seat on the worn-in tan couch. Her dogs climb up next to her, making themselves at home as they curl up with her and each other.