Playing the Player(68)
Crap.
“Uh, no,” Trina’s voice was soft. “It’s a historical museum. About a famous Colorado woman who lived here about one hundred years ago. She was amazing. She used to—”
“A museum about an old woman?” Gilly tilted her head. “What’s in it?” She frowned. “Is it a boring one? With old-lady clothes and hats?”
Trina sighed next to me. “Well, some of that, but—”
Gilly glowered at us. “Who cares what people wore in the old days? I saw some movie where ladies had to wear dresses to swim. That’s dumb.”
“It was different then, Gillian,” Trina said. “Standards have cha—”
“I’m never wearing a dress to swim.” She frowned at Trina. “And you can’t make me.”
“I never said I would. Your swimsuit is fi—”
“Boys are lucky,” Max interrupted. “We don’t even have to wear shirts in the summer when it’s hot outside.”
“That’s not fair,” Gilly growled. “I hate that stupid rule. If it’s hot today, I’m taking my shirt off. I don’t care if it’s public or not.”
I felt all the air whoosh out of Trina as she sagged next to me.
“Nobody’s going shirtless today.” I pointed at both kids. “No shirts means no candy. Or gift shops.”
They stared at me open-mouthed.
“You’re mean, Slade,” Gilly said, kicking at my legs. “Just because you’re a boy and don’t have to wear clothes in the summer.”
“Everybody has to wear clothes in the summer, Gilly.” I gave her my knock-if-off glare, but she didn’t flinch.
A woman across the aisle tried unsuccessfully to hold in her laughter.
“You can swim naked,” Max said. “I heard my dad say so. I think it’s called skippy dipping.”
Trina’s laughter bubbled out, making my skin tingle.
“Skinny-dipping, Max. It’s called skinny-dipping.” She darted a glance at me, and my stomach did that weird thing again.
“But what if you’re fat?” Gilly asked. “What’s it called then?”
“It’s not nice to call people fat, Gilly,” Max scolded, sounding just like Trina.
“That’s true.” Trina glanced at me again, the sparkle back in her eyes. “And no one’s going skippy dipping today.”
Gilly examined us closely. “Not even you guys?”
Trina and I both froze like statues, not daring to look at each other. I wondered if she was fantasizing about the same thing I was. Probably not.
“Denver Convention Center,” the recorded voice announced over the speakers.
“This is our stop,” Trina stood abruptly, and the kids slid off their seats, chattering with excitement.
The doors whooshed open and we emerged onto the street, cars whizzing by, honking their horns, the air reeking of exhaust fumes and stale urine.
“Ew,” Gilly said as the train glided away. “Downtown smells bad.”
Trina folded her arms. “Downtown smells like life, Gilly. People and cars and food and—”
“Throw-up,” Max interjected, pointing to a nasty spot on the sidewalk.
Trina raised her face to the sky and closed her eyes. I couldn’t tell if she was holding in tears or laughter.
“Yep, buddy, that is definitely puketastic,” I said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s get moving. We don’t want to miss the tea.”
“Tea?” Gilly looked between Trina and me. “Like a tea party?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“I don’t like tea,” Max declared as we crossed the street. “It’s gross.”
“My mommy drinks iced tea,” Gilly said as we headed up Colfax Avenue. “But she puts grown-up stuff in it, so I don’t get any. She calls it Mommy’s special tea.”
“My dad has a drink like that,” Max chimed in. “I tried it once, but it was disgust-o-rama.”
“You think everything is gross, except chocolate milk.” Gilly argued with Max as we walked up Colfax, dodging panhandlers, tourists, and office workers.
Trina sighed. “Lucky for you guys, we’re just doing the tour today, no tea party.”
“How long do we have to walk?” Max demanded.
Trina wiped her forehead. It felt like it was a hundred degrees outside. I hoped the kids could hang in there. It was a great day for a swim. I glanced at Trina, wishing I could suggest it.
“A few more blocks,” she said, tugging on Gilly’s hand.
It was more than a few blocks, making me think we should’ve just driven instead of taking the light rail detour, but finally we stood in front of the looming stone house.