Page 133 of The Gaybor War

Herb Tilson (Vice President)

Linda Marks (Social Committee Chair)

…and your friendly Neighborhood Watch Captain, Benji Stewart!

Chapter 32

Atext from Benji comes through just as I'm locking my office.

Benji: Could you pretty please with sugar on top stop by Starbucks and pick me up a lemon berry sparkler?

I smile despite myself.

You know you own a car, right?

Benji: I do. But you happen to be driving right past Starbucks. It's called strategic resource allocation.

I shake my head as I unlock my car.

That's not what that means.

Benji: Says the spreadsheet whisperer.

Benji: Pleeeease?

I slide in behind the wheel.

Fine.

Three dots appear almost instantly.

Benji: You're my favorite.

Benji: I'll Venmo you.

My hand pauses halfway to the ignition, and a heaviness settles in my chest. Before I can analyze the feeling, I reply.

Don't.

His reply doesn't come immediately.

Benji: Don't what?

I lean back against the headrest, suddenly more awake than I was thirty seconds ago.

Don't Venmo me. It can’t be more than four dollars, can it?

Benji: Oh, I plan to do this often. It adds up quick.

The feeling in my chest tightens. Not sharply. Not painfully. Just… wrong. My pulse is ticking too fast for something this meaningless.

Don’t split things with me.

Several seconds pass.

Benji: Carter… It’s lemonade.

It’s not about the drink. I don’t want us keeping score.