Chapter 3-Allies

Arthur looked different. Years on the beat made him gruff. He had a beard. His uniform didn't quite fit him because he was too big. Prunella wasn't happy to see him. Arthur noticed and nodded slightly, "Yeah, we give ourselves up sometimes. Mom said you might need help with your mom."

"She's different. She doesn't realize she's sick. I was hoping you could help point it out to her but I know I'm probably wrong," Prunella said. Arthur shook his head, "You're not wrong. I can help but these things take time. Your mom needs counselling. It'll be a hard road but you might be able to get her some help."

"Arthur, I have an important question," Prunella said. Arthur nodded, "You can ask me anything." "What if I still don't want to be around her? I hate my new life but I don't really have an old one anymore. What if I don't want to really fix things?" "Then maybe you shouldn't go through with this until you've decided."

Prunella agreed. She decided to walk around town. She went to the library first. It had been rebuilt completely. She couldn't find anything she wanted. She left without satisfaction. She went to the Sugar Bowl next. It's menu had changed. Now they only did ice cream and didn't open until noon. She left there feeling bad too.

She found herself at Binky's childhood home. Mei-Lin was sitting outside. She was reading under a tree. Prunella caught her attention and she waved. Prunella waved back. To her surprise Mei-Lin called her over.

"I remember you. Binky used to have a crush on you," Mei-Lin giggled. Prunella blushed. Binky did have a crush on her in high school. She rejected him. He told everyone he'd never asked. Prunella let him have that rumor because she felt bad for hurting him. She still regretted it. "Yeah, that's me," Prunella nodded.

"Binky works in a factory now. Have you seen him lately?" Mei-Lin asked. Prunella said, "No, I haven't." "He's lost weight and looks handsome now. You should invite him out for dinner or something, make him feel good. His wife dumped him a few months ago." "Wife?" Prunella asked. She didn't know Binky got married.

"He had a baby with Fern. They got married. She dumped him for whatever reason. You should cheer him up," Mei-Lin said. She waved and went inside. Prunella thought for a moment. She went back to the boarding house. She paid for a second night with DW. She asked for the wifi password. DW got it for her.

Online, the drama was there. Fern got pregnant. Binky was the father. They got married. He didn't have a good job with benefits. She claimed he cheated; he claimed she cheated. It got ugly. Now Fern lived with her mom and Binky lived alone. Prunella messaged him. She asked for a dinner date anywhere he wanted. He responded a location and she met him there an hour later.

"So, why are you in town?" Binky asked after they ordered. Prunella shrugged. "There must be something. Wait, Rubella," Binky nodded. Prunella nodded sadly. "I'm sorry about that. Your mom hasn't been the same since then. My mom said the hospital asked locals to keep an eye on her. She had a bad visit."

"Oh?" "Yeah, for her heart. Something about it being bad. I don't do medical, okay? I'm just not smart enough," Binky sighed. "You used to think you were. I saw you checking out old biology textbooks from the library," Prunella said. Binky shrugged. "What did that bitch do to you?" "What?" Binky asked. "Binky, your ex. She took away your confidence."

"Yeah, and my money," Binky grumbled. "At least you were nice to me. She made up stuff to keep me away. Now I can't even see my kid. How fucked up is that?" "She shouldn't have done that. I…regret saying no. You were so sincere but I had my own crush. It never worked out. I should've given you that change, let someone in Elwood City have a good first romance."

"Yeah, well, shit happens. No offense, but you're the poster child of that right now. Where'd you even go?" "California," Prunella said. "I might go back, I might not. I'll decide later. What's this stuff about my mom being sick? You know what you're talking about so tell me."

"I don't know the details, and it's illegal for me to even know. But yeah, she has heart problems. She doesn't maintain herself. She has no reason to let herself go with how happy she acts, but away she goes," Binky sighed. He leaned back in his seat. Their food arrived. Binky ate more healthy than Prunella. They eyed each other's food. Then they eyed each other.

Binky offered to drive Prunella home. She said she was staying at the boarding house. He nodded. He drove her there. It was quiet. DW had gone home. Prunella asked Binky to come with her. He did. They were quiet before kissing gently. Then they lay on the bed. They held each other. They kissed some. But they never did it. They just wanted companionship.