Free Dreamboat by Judith Gould Page B

forget the yellow fever vaccinations.”
    â€œYellow fever vaccinations?” Crissy said.
    â€œYou’ll need those for Brazil,” he said. “Anyway, you can get them from the county health department. The telephone number and that info is also enclosed in your packet.”
    â€œThanks a lot, Melvin.” Crissy rose to her feet. “It was nice to meet you.”
    â€œYou, too,” he said, getting up.
    â€œYeah, a real pleasure,” Jenny said, her voice sardonic. She pushed herself up out of her chair. “Let’s vamoose, Cris,” she said. “This place is airless, and I’m about to suffocate.”
    â€œBye.” Crissy waved to Melvin as they went out the door. From behind his desk, Melvin returned her wave with a big smile.
    â€œOh, Jesus,” Jenny said once they were outside the store. “I don’t know how you could keep from laughing out loud at that jerk. He’s so . . . pathetic.”
    â€œOh, he’s all right, Jen,” she replied. “He’s just different, you know. And probably sad and lonely.”
    â€œYeah,” Jenny said, “and probably some kind of fucking serial killer to boot.”
    â€œYou’re crazy,” Crissy said with a helpless laugh.
    Jenny grinned. “He does look like the type, you know? Weird outcastboy from next door. Probably watches the neighborhood girls with binoculars from behind his bedroom blinds. With one hand in his pants.”
    â€œOh, hush!” Crissy cried. “I’m sure he’s not like that at all.” She laughed despite herself, then added: “You’re so mean.”
    â€œI’m just honest,” Jenny said. “I call a loser a loser, and that guy is a first-class loser.” She paused and giggled. “And probably a psycho, too, because people like me have made fun of him all his life.” Her laughter reverberated throughout the end of the mall where they were walking, and shoppers turned to stare.
    Crissy rolled her eyes. “You’re going to get us chased out of here,” she said mirthfully.
    â€œWe’re on our way out anyway,” Jenny retorted. “Why don’t I take you to lunch? What do you say?”
    â€œOh, I don’t know,” Crissy said. She didn’t like taking advantage of Jenny’s generosity too often, even though her friend could well afford it. Crissy liked to pull her share, and she didn’t want Jenny to come to think of her as a mooch.
    â€œOh, come on,” Jenny said. “I want to go to Provence for lunch. That place over in Stuyvesant Plaza. And I don’t want to go by myself.” She grabbed Crissy’s arm. “Come on,” she cajoled. “I hardly ever get to see you with your work schedule.”
    â€œOkay,” Crissy finally agreed, “as long as we don’t talk about Tom Gentry.”
    â€œI promise not to bring him up,” Jenny swore.
    â€œGood,” Crissy said. “But then I really do have to get back to work and then home. I’ve got a lot to do.”
    â€œLike what?” Jenny asked as she pushed open the door to the parking lot.
    â€œAfter work things like laundry and cleaning the apartment. Glamorous things like that,” Crissy said.
    â€œGood. I’ll spare you of all that for awhile,” Jenny said.
    â€œSometimes I don’t mind it,” Crissy said. “It’s almost like therapy or something. Peaceful and soothing, you know?”
    â€œThat’s because you’re not getting laid enough,” Jenny quipped.
    â€œJen.” Crissy turned to look at her. “You think the whole world revolves around sex.”
    â€œIt does, sweetheart,” Jenny replied. “Believe me, it does.”
    After lunch Jenny pulled over in front of the beauty salon and brakedthe Jaguar with a lurch. “Ta-ta,” Jenny said, throwing her hand up in a wave. “Talk to you