Raymond looked at the dashboard, then through the windshield, and finally at June, who had already picked up her bag and turned slightly as if ready to leave. The men who had been laughing earlier now looked uncomfortable, though none spoke.
Raymond stepped out slowly and asked, “How did you know, who taught you that,” with a tone that had lost its earlier confidence. Before June could respond, one of the men muttered, “Maybe she loosened it herself,” trying to recover his pride.
June lifted her eyes and looked directly at Raymond for the first time, and the honesty in her gaze made it impossible for him to hide behind his usual composure. She said quietly, “You said that money because it was funny, because you did not think someone like me could do anything.”
The words landed with more weight than any loud accusation, and Raymond found himself without a response despite the audience around him. June adjusted her bag and stepped away, clearly ready to leave the moment behind.