Push Comes to Shove Read Online Free

card. “You can stop by there or call me, and I’ll come by and pick it up.”
    Kitchie took in the information on the card. “Real estate.”
    “In my spare time. The majority of my time is spent trying to leave the world better than I found it.”
    “I’ll give you a call. I can remember this number by heart, prefix all fives.” Kitchie shoved the card in her back pocket as Suzette strolled away.
    Blue Eyes was still watching.
    Kitchie rested both hands on her hips. “You can’t get a proper look from over there.” She flashed her admirer a smile. “Come closer so you can really see what I’m working with.”
    Blue Eyes stepped away from the costume shop positioned in front of her booth. “If I knew it was that easy, I would’ve come over here twenty minutes ago.”
    “Well, now that you realize it wasn’t as difficult as you thought, let me help you make up your mind on what you should buy from me.” She tossed her hair away from her face. “Now you wanna be the first to get this, because when the Street Prophet goes global, you wanna be able to say you were down with the Prophet from day one.” She held a T-shirt up to Blue Eyes and saw GP approaching with a struck-out look etched on his face. “You look like an extra large. T-shirts are ten a pop, but for you… I’ll give you two for fifteen.” She tossed her hair again and tucked a lock behind her ear. “And I’ll throw in some Street Prophet stickers for the kids.” She looked at GP in his Street Prophet shirt and air-brushed jeans. “There goes a loyal supporter of the Prophet.”
    Blue Eyes glanced at GP with contempt, then focused on Kitchie again. “I’m not interested in any of your Street Prophet merchandise. What
does
interest me is your number and a dinner date to discuss my e-zine endeavor.”
    “Forgive me, but it’s a rule of mine not to give out my number on the first purchase. So what’ll it be, two for fifteen?”
    He laughed. “Sexiness and persistence. I like.” He peeled off a twenty-dollar bill. “Where is that adorable girl I’ve seen around here a few times?”
    “My daughter? Why?”
    “I thought we could discuss this over dinner. I’m in the process of launching an internet magazine, and I’d love to use yourdaughter as a model in an issue or two. She’s beautiful; you two look just alike.”
    “Thank you. When you’re ready, come back and my husband and I will see what you have and consider it.”
    “Keep the change.” Blue Eyes took the shirts and blended into the sidewalk traffic.
    Kitchie stuffed the money in her pocket and rose up on her toes to kiss GP. “What did they say?”
    He began setting up the airbrushing equipment. “We can’t get another extension. The bank’s attorney said if I come up with the principal, penalty charges, and his fees, he’ll stop the foreclosure proceedings. Other than that, foreclosure is final and we have five days to be out.”
    Kitchie pulled the bill from her pocket. “I’ve been standing out here all morning and this is what I made.” She waved the money. “Papi, you tried but this ain’t panning out.” She motioned to the Street Prophet items around the booth. “I know your dream is to give this character a life; I’ve supported you in everything. It’s time to give it up because these twenty dollars can’t pay our bills. We’re past the point of do-or-die.” She scrutinized the money closer. “
Vete pal carajo
!” She turned in the direction that she’d last seen Blue Eyes.
    “What’s the matter, Mami?”
    “That bastard burned me.” She passed GP a dollar bill with the corners of twenties glued over the numeral one.
    A Korean woman hung the pay phone up next to GP’s booth and it soon began ringing. She went to answer it.
    “Excuse me, ma’am; that’s for me.” GP stepped away from the tables, unconsciously glanced at the street sign, then lifted the phone from its cradle. “Ninth Street Artwork, home of the Street Prophet. How may