Chapter 6
"This is my first baby," Robyn said, running her hand over the hood of the black Volvo. "It's a '94, so don't say it's old, or you'll be saying I'm old."
"It's old!" Nigel called from inside the car. Roby rolled her eyes at him.
"It's awesome," I said, putting my hands on the roof of the passenger's side. Robyn gave me a thumbs-up and climbed into the driver's seat. I climbed in too, ducking out of sight just as Rudy jumped out of the front door of the house.
"Your car smells funny," Nigel complained.
"Ignore him," Robyn said loudly, turning on the engine. "The beast has awakened," she said mystically, grinning slightly.
"Can we go now?" Nigel piped. Robyn threw her arms in the air, exasperated. She hit the horn with her fist once and put the car in gear. She turned around in her seat as she backed up, and looked at Nigel before she changed the gear again. "No backseat driving like last time, Nigel. You need to wait until you can get your own license to start driving, or you can buy a video game like the one at La Val's."
He nodded. She grinned at him.
At the store, Nigel immediately headed for the men's section. "Hey, Nigel," Robyn said, grabbing him by the collar, "behave yourself, okay?"
Nigel rolled his eyes. She let go of him and we went to find some jeans. After Robyn was satisfied with getting me enough, we headed to the changing room. "Hello?" Robyn said, knocking her knuckles against one of the doors, "is anyone in there?"
"There's a dress at the bottom," I said, pointing. "Maybe a busy shopper?"
Robyn shrugged. "No one in there?" she called one more time. She opened the door and screamed, "Oh my God!" and then she said, "Nope, no one in there."
I laughed, and started to head in when we heard another door open. I turned around and saw Nigel standing in front of the three-part mirror. I clapped a hand over my mouth.
"This doesn't fit," he said, turning around. "Rusty, what's up with you?"
"Where did the outfit come from?" I said. He had on a hot pink collared shirt, and bright yellow swimming briefs. He was so incredibly skinny and pale, that he looked completely white under the vivid colors.
"I picked it out. Why?" Nigel said. Voices started to drift in from the front of the dressing room. Robyn took Nigel by the shoulder and steered him back into the stall, saying, "Nigel, some tight-a people might be bothered and call security if they see you wearing that, so go change. I'm sorry, man," she said, closing the door just as someone stepped into the dressing room. She looked up, and her face changed into the cold stone mask again. "Royalty call."