Branded
Headlights scattered on puddles from the recent rain. Two women shrieked and giggled as they moved away from the streets. A slick black sports car sped past, splashing the sidewalk while the passenger yelled out an incoherent catcall. Its red tail lights scattered through the drops of water. The night air smelled of hot concrete, steam, food and the eclectic scents of young adults migrating between clubs and bars.
“Come on, Beth!” the taller of the two women said, pulling at her girlfriend’s arm. Tipsy and thrown off balance, they stumbled on their high heels and giggled again.
“It’s late, Kari,” Beth called out. Still, she followed the other woman, smiling at her exuberance. As much as she’d complain about being away from home, she’d never admit that she loved when her girlfriend convinced her to go out on some new adventure. She watched as the girl’s two long black curls bounced against her cheeks.…