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Show All the Variables & Other Love Stories 49 She stopped and looked at him again. Used one long finger to pull the hair out of her eyes and fasten it neatly behind her ear. "I've heard of you," she said. "You're the Satan worshipper, aren't you?" "Yes," Jay said. "That's silly," Melissa told him. "Why would you worship something that does not love you?" "Because I hate love," Jay said. "You've never even seen love," Melissa said. "If you think by spuming Christ you will spurn love, you are sorely mistaken. Divinity is not love; it is only a vessel for love, same as you. Without love, you die. Hear me. Love is in you. I know it." Jay said, "I love no one, and yet I live." Melissa Johnson narrowed her eyes on him, and then she saw something in Jay Meeks, the kind of thing no one could ever be accused of seeing in his likes before. She said, "I like you, Jay Meeks. Meet me here tomorrow at noon. I want to show you something." * Don't nobody know what it was Melissa Johnson showed Jay Meeks the next day after noon breakfast, only that he must have liked it and she must have liked showing it to him. They met on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Army recruiters' office, Jay Meeks and Beau Walker, side by side. Melissa opened her parasol and curtsied, and Beau Walker offered his arm. "Always the gentleman," Melissa said, "Beau Walker I feel safe just knowing you're here, but not to worry. This boy here, Jay Meeks, has agreed to escort me to breakfast this morning, Beau. So I'll give you leave." |