Trigger by Carol Jean Page B

about Shockley.
    “You’re wrong Judy. But I’ll fix everything if you
go on one date with me.”
    She stops dancing and pulls away from him. Her voice
is so low, she can barely hear it, but it’s intense enough to
startle her.
    “No.”
    “The deal is not worth one date with me?”
    “No.”
    She hadn’t noticed before, but Simon has a crease
like Steven’s and apparently it works the same way.
    “I know your reputation. I witness your arrogance.
I’m not for sale, Simon. I don’t do dates. I’ve never had a
boyfriend and to be honest I doubt that I ever will.”
    “You’ve never had a boyfriend. Have you ever been
kissed?” His eyes are incredulous and smirking.
    “No.”
    “So you’re a . . . ?”
    “Yes, Simon, I’m a virgin. But that doesn’t make me
stupid enough to sabotage my own company.” Her voice took off from
low to moderate and then nearly high volume.
    She walks away and she can tell by the way dancing
couples get out of her way that her angry words were overheard.
News flash folks, she hasn’t had sex, therefore, she must have some
other disease and you should get out of my way. Oh God, she knew
this evening would be a nightmare. All she wants now is to get her
gun, slip into Big Boy and peal the Hell out of here.
    She quickly walks to the door sure that one of the
many photographers got a picture of her walking fast. Now Steven is
really going to be pissed.
    Steven picks up the phone so quickly she’s not sure
she even heard it ring. “Judy, are you all right?”
    “Yes. I know it’s late and I’m sorry if I disturbed
you. I just wanted you to know I was home and safe. When I left the
club, it felt like you were worrying about me.” She feels better
hearing his voice.
    “I’m watching the news with you dancing with the
Governor. I think it’s on every network.”
    “Am I doing it right? Like you taught me?”
    “Yes.”
    She breathes relief. “Oh good, I didn’t want to let
you down. The governor was a Golden Gloves. Did you know that?”
    “Yes.”
    “I told him about you and your club and invited him
to come and train with you during his lunch. Boxing is still his
preferred method of exercise. So if he calls, it’s not a joke.
Okay? Oh, he’ll want your green/gray sludge too.”
    “You were talking about me while you were dancing
with the governor?”
    “Mostly. Some about the company too.”
    “The news says you walked in carrying a concealed
gun. They have footage of you pulling up your gown and handing your
gun to the security guard. Deidre said it’s on You Tube. You look
wonderful, Judy. I guess your stunt worked out all right this time,
but you should have listened to me. It could have caused you
trouble.
    “They could have legally prevented you from going in
even if you did hand over your gun. Or they could have arrested you
until they were satisfied that you had no criminal intent.”
    She doesn’t know what to say.
    “Did the governor say anything about the gun?”
    “He just told me not to forget it when I left.”
    Steven bellows.
    “I thanked him for reminding me.”
    He laughs harder.
    “I’m tired now. I don’t think I got more than an
hour’s sleep last night.”
    “Good night, Judy. I’m proud of you.”
    With those words she’d never had spoken to her
before, she relaxes and drifts. “Good night Steven. Thanks for
everything.” He didn’t hear her. He’d already hung up.

Chapter 11. Tramp Stunt
    The futon in her
one-room flat is lumpy and uncomfortable. Judy groans in pain and
it’s louder this time, but it’s not from the futon.
    She’s laid for hours replaying yesterday on the
ceiling. Each time she runs the memory footage it gets worse.
Floozy, flaunting, taunting and impertinent, she watches herself
move through yesterday. Her face is burning with embarrassment and
shame. Run!
    Running faster than she ever has, Judy’s flying
through the dawn-quiet, garbage-filled streets of her neighborhood.
Focused only on her feet