Maddie shrugged off the empty sympathy. Beyond saying the Johnson family had two less members, she didn’t like talking about her brother’s and sister’s deaths. Her way of dealing with the grief was acting out, or so a shrink would say. “Your dog and the guy you accidentally shot,” she corrected him, matter-of-factly.
“Get yourself that Sandwich Guy costume and you’ll have both.” A sandwich and booze. Maybe two sandwiches, depending on the reaction Marty got from the populace.
“Madison Square Garden had a Halloween party last year.” The stripper and her friends had organized it. Maddie hadn’t gone, though. She hadn’t wanted to leave Grand Central just for a stupid party. “Same person who set that one up lives here, so chances are, they’ll set up a Halloween party here, too.”
It wasn’t how her usual conversations went either. Generally, she made herself intolerable on purpose. She liked having friends, but at the same time keeping them at arm’s length was necessary. “It’s mostly because you’re not obnoxiously cheerful,” Maddie said. Then added, “And not touching me.”
She gave him a mocking salute and a small smile. “Sure will. First sign of dickery, I’ll let you know.”