I made lunch...

Not a difficult task since we bought all that crap at Kroger's, but she did like the sandwich and agreed that the kettle cooked sweet red chile sour cream potato chips do indeed rock.
And in between bites sitting at the counter in the store, she sighed kind of contentedly and said. "All I've ever wanted was just a little peace and quiet in which to enjoy the pleasures I have in this life without someone passing judgment on what I should be doing."
"Potato chips and comic books?" I asked.
"Precisely." She said. "I didn't mind going to school all day or working all day. But when I want to relax, I'd like to be permitted to do it."
"Feel free." I said.
She laughed. "My mother was always afraid I wouldn't find a husband if my nose was continually stuck in a book. And my boyfriend, I guess he wanted a more feminine sort of girl."
"Your mother was probably afraid you'd end up in a comic store in Toledo." I said.
"And here I am." Maricel said. "It's like I've died and gone to heaven."
Her voice was free of sarcasm. I know the Wolfe's Den is my idea of heaven, but a cute chick that thinks so... I've died and gone to heaven. Assuming you have people busting in your doors in heaven.

See you in the funny papers...
Simon Wolfe

Amazingly enough Maricel can ride the bus...

And get an ID and and buy a cell phone. Who knew? She just got an Ohio ID, she wanted to study the driver's manual and make sure she's familiar with American Road rules. She hasn't driven much in the past few years. I promised I'd take her tooling around some of my favorite empty parking lots and back streets once she had her temps in hand.
"Do I get a present when I pass the test?" She asked.
"You got my Catwoman statue, what the hell else do you want?"
She made a rather interesting suggestion. I said I'd do that anyway. "How about flowers, I'll get you some flowers."
"That would be nice." She said. "Candy, too."
"I know where you can get a good used car." I said.
"I need to get a job first." She said. "I don't think I'd be able to teach at a public school because you can't just transfer certifications. But I might be able to substitute teach or work at a private or charter school."
"Been doing a little research?" I asked.
"Well, I might have made some inquiries before I went to Vegas." She said.
"Got any job interviews lined up?" I asked.
"I'm taking a test at a temporary agency that supplies substitute teachers tomorrow." She said.
"When you get your license you can use my car if you want." I said. "I never go anywhere during the day."
"I have enough cash to get a used car." She said.
"You have one picked out?" I laughed.
"Just checked the prices in general online." She said. "I'm not expecting you to support me and drive me around."
"So it's just the hot bod, you're after?"
"Pretty much." Maricel said.

Ellen dropped by the store...

after she got off work. Maricel was already off to the BMV on the bus. Ellen looked around the shop warily as if Maricel might jump out and bite her.
"She's out getting an Ohio ID." I said. "All is clear."
I gave Ellen a cup of coffee and she inspected the back door again as if it might have changed since early this morning. I handed her a book I knew she'd been looking for from the bunch we'd priced earlier.
"Thanks." Ellen said and she didn't say anything else. Not very Ellen-like.
"You mind letting Ellen out of the pod, I'd like to talk to her." I said.
"What?" She said sharply.
"Just what exactly are you mad about?"
"I don't know." Ellen said. "Are you sure that girl isn't playing you?"
To give myself credit, I didn't get mad.
"Playing me for what?" I asked. "My millions?"
"I don' t know. Girls will do almost anything to get in the country."
"She was born here." I said. "She's a citizen, she doesn't need me to get in the country."
"Oh." Ellie looked deflated.
"We've been talking for more than a year." I said. "We have a lot in common."
"We have a lot in common." Ellen said. "That doesn't mean I should move in with you."
"You shouldn't move in with me." I said.
"Pretty people aren't like us." Ellen said.
"What, I'm not pretty?" I said. "I'm crushed."
"I'm trying to keep you from getting hurt." She said. "I was right about M...."
"No, no, no!" I covered my ears. "Not to be spoken in my presence. Not to be spoken in my presence."
"Well I was right about her, wasn't I?"
"I knew you were right about her. I just didn't care. I thought she was the best I could do. But I was mistaken. You need to adjust your attitude."
"Do I?" Ellen asked with a big old frown on her face.
"I love her, Ellie Mae. When you say mean things about Maricel, it hurts my feelings."
"You love her?" She said doubtfully.
"I love you, too. But not in the same way." I said.
"Just the one time." Ellie said with an unexpected smile.
"There actually is a difference between love and sex." I said.
"You remember that." Ellen said. "Okay?"

I wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon...

So Maricel and I priced a couple of boxes of books I'd been meaning to get to. It's a lot faster with help and she's a sharp girl. I accused her of having the Overstreet guide memorized. She says she's just a fast reader. She also pulled a bunch of books out to read later. Then around seven thirty, she made me breakfast. I'm sure there's a lot of people that are going to think I had a robot built to be my friend. I don't know why any hot chick in her right mind would want to cook for me, much less sleep with me, either.