For A Candy Cane A Day on the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
No one is more surprised than Blanche when, on a hot day in Missouri, Bonnie hooks an arm through hers and declares that the two ladies are going for a walk. Bonnie says it with such certainty that Blanche can't find the words to decline. And so, she finds herself walking through the streets, the sun beating down on her, in total silence. Bonnie doesn't seem to notice her discomfort.
"We're sisters, aren't we?" asks Bonnie suddenly.
"I suppose we are."
"Good. Then I can ask you for some advice."
All of a sudden, Blanche can't remember why she was so uncomfortable with the silence. Actual conversation is a far worse prospect. She wonders if her face has flushed red and begins to fan herself with her hand.
"Clyde's not been the same since he got out. He won't…" Bonnie trails off, her usual confidence floundering. "He don't touch me like he used to."
"Oh."
"Well..." Bonnie looks at her expectantly. When she doesn't say anything further, Bonnie presses, "Wasn't Buck the same? And I know you—I mean, I've heard you two— now. I was just wonderin' what you did. Y'know, to get him back to normal."
Blanche's shoulders feel stiff. "Buck wasn't—we didn't—uh. Um. Buck was pretty excited to get outta jail, if you know what I mean."
It's not cruel, is it? To answer a question honestly? But seeing the way that Bonnie's painted lips part with surprise, Blanche can't help but feel like she's done something wrong. And so, fueled by surge of of sympathy, she tries desperately to make the girl in front of her feel better.
"It's not so surprising, is it?" Blanche says. She places a comforting hand on Bonnie's shoulder and squeezes. "After all he went through in there..."
Bonnie's face twists in confusion. This time, Blanche knows she's said the wrong thing. She just hadn't thought—it had never even occurred to her—that Bonnie might not know what had happened to Clyde in jail. Not that Blanche is sure. All she knows is what she's pieced together from Buck's rages and tears. But she's a clever girl. It's not too hard to guess.
"What do you mean?" Bonnie's voice is urgent. "Blanche, what do you mean?"
"I think you should talk to Clyde."
Blanche quickens her step. Maybe it's the heat, but she's starting to feel light-headed. She makes their way back to the gang's current hideout, ignoring Bonnie shouting after her. If anything, it only makes Blanche walk faster. She has a sinking feeling that she's just made a terrible mistake, and that the day is about to become very, very long.