Episode 16:

More customers came, ate and left at The Red Top but Rick and Misty didn’t take any notice of them.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t come over to visit you and your family, but I thought that I should hang low for awhile until the break-up between Sasha and I had time to blow over,” Rick said.

By this time Marlene had brought over Rick and Misty’s food. Misty took a small bite out of her Red Top burger and smiled at Rick.

“Man, this burger tastes great. How’s your chili Rick?”

“It tastes really good too. They always serve great food here,” Rick answered.

“Yeah, I hoped you would drop over at my place for a visit. I really admire how you handled yourself at the rock festival. That showed real character. I was very proud of my dad too. My respect for him went up about two hundred per cent,” Misty said.

“I really like Lloyd. He loves you a lot.”

“I know that now.”

“How have you been after that bad acid trip and your concussion?”

“Well, I was kind of shook up for awhile, but looking back at it today I think that the experience did me some good,” Misty answered.

“How’s that?” Rick asked.

“I think it taught me to use more discretion when it comes to what drugs I put in my body. I think my split with Jim wised me up a bit too. From now on I’m going to use a lot more discretion in the guys that I date. I need someone who will really care about me, not just wanting to get me wasted and take me to bed.”

“You’ve come a long way, my friend,” Rick said.

“Well, I think I made a good decision going out for lunch with you. We’ve only been here for a little while and yet I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I was starting to think that I would never be able to have an intelligent conversation with a guy until today,” Misty said.

Rick thought he could see tears well up in Misty’s eyes.  

Episode 17:

“You know what I feel like doing after lunch?” Misty asked after lighting up her DuMaurier cigarette.

“No, what would you like to do next, Misty?” Rick asked.

“Look out the window. Can you see how beautiful it is outside? It’s not too cold and it’s snowing lightly. We could walk over to Coronation Park and check out the library. I want to see if they have the latest issue of Rolling Stone,” Misty said tapping the ash off her cigarette.

“Rolling Stone? That’s my favorite magazine. I think every book I’ve read lately I heard about through Rolling Stone. I always read their record reviews to check if there are any good LPs I should buy. Going for a walk sounds like a great idea. We’ll go as soon as we finish our cigarettes. I’m going to leave Marlene a tip,” Rick said.

“I’ll need to see the bill to see how much my burger, onion rings and Coke come to,” Misty said.

“You won’t need to check the bill. Lunch is on me. I don’t get out much these days and I don’t get to take a beautiful young woman out every day,”

Misty blushed and thanked Rick.

Rick and Misty said goodbye to Marlene as they put on their winter clothing. The sun was shining brightly and the snow was falling gently. Misty tied a bright red scarf around her neck. She was wearing a forest green parka that caused Rick to realize that Christmas would soon be upon them.

Misty offered her right hand to Rick after she put on her red finger gloves. The happy couple held hands and started walking down St. Mary’s Road. After a few minutes had passed Misty put her arm around Rick’s waist. A black car pulled up beside them and a scruffy looking young man rolled down his window and said, “You work fast Misty. It didn’t take you long to get-  over me now, did it?”

“Ah, shut up Jim, you, greaser,” Mindy shot back.

“Hey man. Be careful you don’t catch anything from your new girlfriend. Believe me she’s been around.” After saying this Jim pulled away and drove down the street.

Misty turned red and started to cry. Rick held her body tightly to his and wiped the tears from her eyes with a Kleenex.