How do I look?” Paul’s hands shot out straight from his sides, and he began to take tiny, little circle steps so Brady could get the full effect before commenting. Since becoming his roommate, Paul had learned that Brady could be depended on for a lot, but fashion tips were always right at the top of the list.
Brady said, “You look nervous, okay? I haven’t even parked my bike yet! Hang on. This darned kickstand will never just—oh, there. Wait, spin the other way. Yes, just as I thought.” He picked a piece of road dust from Paul’s lily-white shirt, tightened the knot on his tie, and said, “Fix your hair. Oh, and I don’t think she’ll be very impressed by that, either.” He pointed to the clip that kept the right leg of Paul’s trousers from flapping into his bicycle chain.
“Oh! Right.” Paul pulled off the clip and shoved it in his pocket before smoothing down his unruly, brown hair. Brady’s hair, blond and limp as that cheerleader they’d found in the lobby after the first home game, didn’t need flattening. He just shook his head the way he did now when he wanted to “fluff the do” and waited until Paul said, “Now?”
“You’re fine.” Brady’s expression said he wasn’t so sure about the neighborhood. “This is the right address?”
Paul checked his map. “One-twelve East Locust, yes, that’s what she told me.”
Brady looked up and down the street. “Somehow I thought a voodoo queen would live in something a little more… palatial.”
They stood next to a long metal fence through which they could see tall weeds waving cheerfully, like kids playing hooky from school. Beyond the neglected lawn squatted a building that reminded Paul more of a frog than a house. All that green, he guessed. Siding, shutters, trim, even the shingles on the roof were the color of pond scum.
“Maybe she’s not actually a queen,” Paul ventured. “I mean, this is Wisconsin. Maybe she’s more of a… CEO.”
“We could ask,” Brady suggested.
“Only if she has time. She’s probably pretty busy.” They nodded at each other wisely, and then Brady went to the rusty old gate.
“Wait!” Paul patted himself down. “Okay, I remembered to bring the money.” Thank goodness Mom and Daddy still gave him a w. . .
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