Page 120 of Rigid

Smokey took a bite. “It’s cooked just right, too. Great job, Ed.”

“Thanks.” She took another bite and then looked at me, and shook her head in disbelief. “Mmmm.”

I looked at the platter.

There were four left.

I reached for one. “Maybe half.”

I took a bite.

It tasted so good.

Smokey stood, opened the refrigerator door, and pulled out the horseradish sauce. “Here.”

I pulled the top half of the bun off, covered the top with sauce, and took a bite.

Oh my God.

I was in heaven.

I took a bite, and then another. Before I knew it, the burger was gone and I was licking my fingers.

“Three down.” Eddie nodded her head toward the platter. “Three to go.”

I shook my head. “I’m done.” I patted my stomach. “I’m stuffed.”

“When we get done with dinner, I’ve got ice cream and brownies,” Eddie said. “But you’re probably not hungry, are you?”

“You got ice cream?”

She nodded. “Neapolitan, and Rocky Road.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe a little brownie, and like a tiny scoop. Not much, though.”

Smokey and Eddie looked at each other and did the high-five thing.

I rolled my eyes.

Twins.

The thought of it was the most ridiculous thing ever.

That night at midnight, when I was sneaking another burger and eating ice cream with a fork, I began to wonder.

As I sat on the floor with a burger in one hand, and the tub of ice cream between my legs, Eddie snuck in behind me.

“Boo!” she whispered.

I all but jumped out of my pajamas.

She sat down beside me and took the fork from my hand. “Still thinking it’s only one?”

With a mouthful of burger, I looked at her and nodded.

She poked the fork into the ice cream and then looked at me. “You’ve almost killed this.”

With my mouth still full, I responded. “I know.”