Crack the Spine - Issue 33

"Gwen, I don't shop at ten. I get there when the farmers set up at around seven!"

Gwen chuckled, "oh, okay then!"

They each picked up a pair of bags and headed toward the door. Following, Gwen said, "By the way, love the dress!"

"Thank you, honey!" Mary said turning her head back, "see that's why I need another woman around here."

They reached the door. "Gwen can you swipe your thumb, please?" Mary nodded toward a clunky black box attached the wall on their right ride. Thin, blue lines ran horizontally inside a concave in the middle of the box.

Gwen laid the bags on the granite patio and swiped. The screen above the concave read "denied" in a digital font.

"Sorry. My print's not registered," Gwen said.

"Not possible. The boy's already gone for you."

Mary's response took Gwen by surprise. Nevertheless, a faint smile formed on her lips.

"Swipe again, honey."

Again, the screen read: denied.

"No keys?" Gwen asked instinctively.

"Not anymore." Mary drew Gwen's attention down to the doorknob, whose keyhole was covered up with masking tape. "Let me try." Mary sat her bags down and swiped. The screen flashed "denied".

"Phone?"

"In the foyer. You?" "Upstairs. We can honk," Gwen suggested, hinting with her eyes at the car.

Mary headed to the car and honked a couple times. They waited a few minutes but there was no indication Krim heard. Mary got out of the car and approached Gwen. "No luck. The house is pretty much sound proof."

Gwen stood on her tiptoes and looked in through a square glass window atop the door. So close, yet so far away.

"See Gwen? Instead of compliments I get technology that makes my life harder. This is why I need you around."

"Well, the stove works, at least." She came back down on her heels.

"Until today so did the scanner."