whole thing just sorta caught me off guard, know what I mean? Forgive me?” “You change your mind?” He sounded distrustful but hopeful. “Yeah, Hemp, sure. I don’t know why I said those things. I was just worried, that’s all. You know how much I care about you.” That brought him to the door. “Then I can go ahead, tell Acid I’m in?” He said cautiously, opening the door a crack. “Sure thing, man. Just be careful, that’s all. But hell, it’ll be great having some extra money, you know, what with winter coming and all. You know how Moose’s business falls off during the rainy season. Remember last winter, we just barely scraped by.” I was babbling with relief now, all the emotion coming out of me. “I’m sorry man, I don’t know what came over me!” He opened the door all the way and grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me in the eye. “Yeah, you’ve been actin’ kinda weird for the last coupla months. What is it, that college broad, what’s her name?” “Carole,” I responded automatically. “Yeah, that must be it.” I was glad to be let off the hook. “So, buddies, right?” “You know it, man. Now get the hell out of here and leave me alone. I got some thinkin’ to do.” “Yeah, me too,” I replied, relieved that we were back to normal now. “See you tomorrow. Say hello to Moose when he gets in.” “The big guy’s on a date. I’ll be crashed out by the time he gets back. Leave him a note.” “Good idea.” I went back to the living room and cleaned up the remnants of the feast and then rolled one ~
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