ATMitis

The low wooden shingled buildings of the Crossroads came into view on our right, as Kaila pulled us into the turn lane.

"I feel like asking you to hop into the driver's seat and keep it running," Kaila winked at me. "You know, just in case Imogene pops out of the bushes and demands a ride."

"Oh, I've got way too much experience with that," I smiled back at her. "Look, no cover near the building there, the field is at least ten feet further out and totally exposed. If she was going to be hiding anywhere, it would be in one of the cars."

"That one..." Kaila pointed to a white suburban that sat alone in the parking lot. "I suspect there..."

"This... is Miss Imogene Annoyingbitch of Santa Cruz, California..." I began in a crisp British accent. "She has provided us with a bit of a puzzler... we do not know which car she is hiding within... BUT..."

"...we shall soon FIND OUT!" Kaila laughed. "BOOOM, BOOOM, BOOOAAAAIIIEEEEEE!!!!"

"Yes, clearly, it was the white one..." I laughed along. "Feel better?"

"Much, but you are not telling that joke to our kid."

"What, that we got so annoyed at her aunt that we plotted her **** in cartoonish fashion?" I smiled as Kaila shut off the engine.

"Cash please..." Kaila extended her hand, and I dug in my wallet rapidly.

"Right, Uhm... will that cover it?" I counted out the vast majority of the money in my wallet.

"Just..." She nodded. "Last time we do this, agreed?"

"Absolutely," I nodded. "And she finds her own place to live."

"You can't save her anymore, Brent." Kaila nodded, shutting the car door behind herself. She walked along the pebbled path to the recessed teller and rapidly began pushing buttons and shifting bills and card. Kaila was a master at this. What would have taken me at least ten minutes of trying to remember the right account number flew by, and I barely had time to register that she had begun before she was finishing her task.

Kaila walked up to the Bus, her face intent as she rapidly tapped on the screen of her phone. A pensive look crossed her face, before it was replaced by a smile, and she lowered the phone.

"Done!" She smiled, Opening the door. "So, now it's just you and me, for a while at least."

"And all before lunch. Want to walk on the beach with me this time?" I smiled at her.

"Feet..." Kaila warned, pointing to the slightly blistered items in question. "But I'll happily grab a little snack and sit with you on the wharf."

"That actually sounds great." I nodded.

"Coffee... chocolate... I'm thinking we just enjoy the ocean for a little and talk." Kaila smiled at me. "Duh, duh, dun... yep, another we need to talk. But..."

"Yeah, we really do," I agreed.