“Well, jeez, Vick, I guess you’re just not a normal person, then.”
It doesn’t come off as humorous as I’d intended it.
“Hey.” I cup her chin with my hand. “You survived a shitty childhood and managed to make it through a real rough patch that would have broken most people. You fought off a drug addiction and got back on your feet, clean and sober. Now you’re spending your life trying to help people in abusive relationships. And whether it’s the reason you did it or not, you put a really bad guy out of business for good. So on balance, Ms. Vicky Townsend, I’d say you’re doing okay karma-wise. And for what it’s worth, I’m as cynical as they come, and you make me weak in the knees. You must have something going for you.”
She goes quiet, looking at me. Then she puts her hands on my face and presses her lips against mine, the softest, warmest, sexiest kiss I’ve ever had.
Then she smiles at me and backpedals away. She holds up a hand and wiggles her fingers.
I try to think of something pithy for a parting remark, but I’m choked up after that kiss. I can hardly breathe after that kiss. I might have a coronary after that kiss.
She drives away, of all things, in a minivan, about the last vehicle I’d ever expect to see Vicky Townsend driving. But she has a different life now, different priorities.
I stand where I am for a while, waiting for the heaviness in my chest to subside, choking back emotion, until hypothermia becomes a real possibility. I finally manage to smile.
What does the word “pithy” mean, anyway?
I thought it meantclever, but turns out, from a quick search on my phone, it’s defined in two ways. One: “consisting of or abounding in pith,” which is a big help. Two: “concise and forcefully expressive.” Nothing about being witty or humorous or sardonic? If I were mad and said, “Shit!” that would be concise and forcefully expressive. So that would qualify as apithycomment?
That doesn’t seem right. Not at all. I might need to add “pithy” to my list. This is going to require extensive thought...