Free Marionette by T. B. Markinson

take more time in therapy than you do chewing your food. Do they have any manners courses up there?”
    I scanned her face. She was only half joking. “You’re a funny lady.”
    “You know I support you, Paige.”
    “I know, Jess. I really do.”
    * * *
    When I got back to my dorm room, the three stooges were there. Fortunately, after my marvelous weekend with Jess, I was in a decent mood. Minnie wasn’t. She was crying, and Karen was patting her on the back. Jenna the jock looked distressed over Minnie showing her feelings. I was starting to like Jenna more and more.
    “Hello,” I whispered. I set my bag down and slipped quietly into the room.
    “Hi,” Karen replied.
    I watched for a few seconds and then motioned to Minnie, whose head was buried in her arms, elbows on her desk.
    “She had a blowup with her boyfriend on the phone.” Karen filled me in.
    “Oh…‌I’m sorry to hear that.” I didn’t want to hear the details of the fight, though. Young lovers and their squabbles got on my nerves quickly.
    “She wants to see him, but she doesn’t have a car. Jenna’s car broke down today, so she can’t borrow it.” Karen was full of information.
    Jenna avoided all eye contact. I sincerely doubted that her car had happened to break down on the same day Minnie had asked to borrow it. My gut told me that Jenna didn’t lend her car to anyone, probably not even her mom.
    I walked up to Minnie and handed her my car keys. “You can take my car if you want. You might have to get gas, but don’t feel like you have to fill it up all the way.”
    The three of them stared at me. I don’t think any of them had expected that. Minnie wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “You really mean that?”
    “Of course.”
    She jumped out of her chair and hugged me, and I noticed she needed a shower. When she went straight to the bathroom to get spruced up for Jeff, the boyfriend, I was relieved, although part of me wanted to remind her to comb her hair.
    “You see, Paige, I’m starting to figure you out.” Karen beamed.
    The only way I could ever manage to hurt my parents was through their pocketbook. If Minnie wrecked my car, they would have to buy me a new one to keep up their image. It wouldn’t do to have their darling daughter without a car—‌a nice car. It wasn’t like I wanted Minnie to get killed or anything, but some serious damage to the car would be good. Lately, I had been looking for ways to make my parents suffer with little consequence for me.
    “You think so, Karen?” I crossed my arms.
    “Yep. You do have a heart.”
    That made me smile. Minnie emerged from the bathroom, and I told her which parking lot the car was in. The lot in front of our dorm was always packed, so usually I had to hike halfway across campus to retrieve my car.
    She gave me another hug. “Thanks, Paige. I really appreciate this.”
    “Drive safe and take care of Junior Mint.”
    “Junior Mint?” inquired the grinning Karen.
    “That’s the name of my car. It’s green, and I love Junior Mints.”
    “I’m blown away. I’m learning so much about you tonight. You, Paige, actually named your car. That’s kinda cute.”
    Jess had named the car, actually. Watching Karen gloat about her new insight tempted me to tell her the truth, just so I could pull the rug right out from under her. Yet, I relished the thought that she believed she was “getting to know me,” when in fact she knew nothing at all. Good!

Chapter Nine
    After the first week of classes, my nerves started to settle somewhat. I no longer dreaded going to lectures and seeing so many unfamiliar faces. In fact, I found that I liked being around so many people I didn’t know and probably would never know. Those people never asked personal questions, so I wouldn’t be forced to lie to them. It was a freeing feeling.
    One part of my new life that I hadn’t yet adjusted to was Liddy. Jess had made it damn clear I could not slouch on my promise. I was told—‌no,