My Cardboard Balcony

by Belinda Roddie There is something to be said for sex as a method of negotiation. At the end of the night, I had gotten the diplomat to offer me military assistance in the war, an extra one billion dollars in funding for the missile program, and a free meal at any restaurant of my choice in the region. In exchange, I gave him a good romp and a free voucher for a sandwich shop. I think I won out the most in the end. This week's prompt was provided by José García.

I loved the way she smiled at me when I scanned her books. I loved the way her fingers drummed against the wooden counter in a blessed rhythm, the timing succinct and the humming from the back of her throat harmonious. I loved the way she rubbed her thumb across her credit card as she handed it to me, the glorious grin never fading as I punched in the appropriate numbers. "Have a good day," I told her. "Thanks," she replied. "Have a better one than I will."