Lakebridge: Spring (Supernatural Horror Literary Fiction)

by Natasha Troop

  * * *

  Jennifer saw that little smile on Gil’s face and knew that he was just playing with her. Of course, she knew that he had a crush on her. He had that same crush for over twenty years. For at least ten of those, he knew she was a lesbian. He also knew that she was in love with his best friend, Shelley. Jennifer spent many hours by the side of the road watching the cars go by and lamenting that she was in her own personal bad romantic comedy. She even felt for Gil a little bit, knowing how unrequited love felt, especially when the person you were attracted to did not share your orientation. But that little bit wasn’t enough to soften her to his advances or his flirts. Plus, he was making her look bad to the tourists and as a representative of the State of Vermont, if she looked bad, the state looked bad.

  “When the business is official, you should address me as Officer Kennisaw.”

  “And when it’s not official?” Gil smiled again. He was having too much fun. She looked over at the couple and they were kind of smirking, too. Vermont looked bad right now.

  She smiled at the couple. “Anytime you see me, Mr. Hamilton. Anytime. It’s official.” Vermont was looking better.

  She and Gil kept having this conversation. Sometimes it was fun having it in front of other people. He couldn’t win it, so it was fun. Vermont was fun.

  * * *

  Rick thought that Vermont was really fun.

  * * *

  Gil thought that Vermont was fun. Where else could you stand by the side of the road hitting on a lesbian trooper in front of an affable pair of tourists who just witnessed a crazy man try to drop a tree on a bridge? Gil could hardly think of it.

  Gil saw his father pull his old beater up next to the Winnebago. The fun was over. He put his smile away for later. For someone who deserved it.