Page 85 of X's and O's

“You do?” My mom’s advice, about finding out the things Violet liked and getting them for her, rang in my head.

She nodded enthusiastically. “They’re so cute.”

I opened the car door. “I’ll get you one.”

“Wait—”

I took off running, ducks waddling out of my way, some taking to the air. But not before I plucked a fat one off the ground. I tucked it beneath my arm and carried it back to my truck.

Violet gawked at me. “You just…you caught a duck.”

“Want to pet him. Or her? I don’t want to misgender them, but I don’t know how to tell the difference. Do you?”

“You can’t just pick up a wild duck, X!”

“I already did. And he loves me, don’t you, Reginald? He seems like a Reginald, don’t you think? Maybe Reggie for when he’s feeling playful. Here.” I held the duck out toward her.

“You are insane. But it’s really freaking cute. It’s not even trying to get away.” She tentatively reached a handout. “Hey, little buddy. Aren’t you cute—” She snatched her hand back quickly. “Holy crap, he bit me!”

“I will snap it’s filthy neck!”

She shook her finger, wincing at the small red mark on it. “I can’t tell if you’re serious, but don’t you dare.”

I paused. “No? But he hurt you.”

“Please put Reginald down and step away from the duck.”

I shrugged and set Reggie down on the grass at my feet. He quickly waddled back to join his friends, his neck intact. “Spread the word, Reg. Duck for dinner if you guys so much as think about biting my girl again!”

Reggie gave an insulted honk, waggled his tail feathers in my direction, and glided out onto the pond water.

I glanced over at Violet. “Is your hand okay?”

She nodded. “It’s fine. Not a big deal at all.” She side-eyed me. “You wouldn’t have really snapped his neck, right?”

I squinted at her. “Is this one of those times where you want me to say yes, because that would be me protecting you? Or is it one of those times where you get scared of me because I did the socially unacceptable thing?”

“Maybe a bit of both?”

“Then I plead the Fifth.”

She nodded. “Smart.”

“We should probably get you to your next job. We’ve been here a while.”

She nodded, getting back in the van. I drove her to her next location, parking outside the pretty suburban house in Providence. She got out and closed the door, butthen paused, turning back to talk to me through the open window.

“It’ll be dark by the time I finish this job…”

I nodded. “The sun does tend to set around five.”

“So…” She waited for me to say something.

I blinked. “I could pick you up and drive you home?”

She nodded, then grinned. “Please don’t bring me any ducks though.”

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