Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Lulu

“I’m sorry that we have to leave.”

Ajax pauses in collecting his plant pots to look up at me. “Never apologize for protecting our kids.”

Kids.

Mary suddenly feels heavy in my arms. Setting her on her feet, I stroke the back of her hair to calm her. The girl’s been glued to me ever since she woke up from her short sleep.

Ajax reaches into his back pocket and takes out the wallet that he stole earlier. He takes another look at the driver’s license, then tosses the whole wallet under the camper next to us.

I shake my head, silently begging him not to.

“Is there anything you’d like to do today?” Ajax asks, ignoring my plea .

“Maybe go get Piglet a new book?” I suggest, smiling at her.

“Please, please.” She bounces.

“We can drop into one of the towns on our way back to the I-90.” Her dad grins. “Right,” he exclaims, dusting his hands off, “let’s get out of here before your momma gets arrested for assaulting a minor.”

I don’t return his grin.

Asshole. I tilt my head and glare. Shit, I hit a kid.

“He was practically an adult, just you know . . . younger,” I huff, walking inside.

Ajax laughs, lifting Mary over the steps. She quickly scampers after me.

“I want to sit with you,” she rushes.

We head off quickly. Mary and I kneel on the sofa, waving to Phil and his wife when we pass them while walking. The older lady responds, but Phil squints until she says something we can’t hear.

Phil waves back quickly, but his wife turns his arm to show us where we have moved past them.

“Blind as a bat,” I mutter, making Mary giggle.

We play I Spy all the way to town. Large buildings start to sprout up as we leave the rural peace and quiet. I’ve been with Ajax and Mary for a week, and the thought of being in a town makes me squirm.

“I hate parking this thing in town. It stands out like a sore thumb, not to mention how hard it is to find space,” Ajax grumbles, climbing out of the driver’s seat .

“We’ll make it quick,” I promise, already wanting to leave.

I help Mary into her coat and blush when Ajax holds mine out too.

“We’re parked in the bus station parking lot. There’s a small bookstore over the road.” He kisses me, pulling a cap down over my head.

“Keep your head down when you’re in shops.”

I nod.

The parking lot is half full, but the street is packed with people because of some kind of town event.

Ajax groans. “Hands,” he demands, holding his arms out. Mary and I each take one. I wiggle my fingers until he lets me entwine them with his.

The warmth of his palm helps to calm my racing heart. Other families smile in greeting as we weave through the crowd.

“Oh.” I stop outside of a Target. My arm pulls to the right, Ajax and Mary still walking, until he notices I’m not following.

I point at the store. “Please.” I smile.

“Mom wants to go this way,” Ajax declares, redirecting our little group.

We walk down the aisles browsing, not really looking for anything. A dye kit grabs my attention.

“Can we get this?” I ask Ajax. “Mary has a white T-shirt. We could make matching tie-dye tops.” I smile at Piglet.

“I have a white shirt somewhere too. Maybe we can do a family craft thing. I want to match my girls. ”

Mary and I nod excitedly.

Slowly, we throw other things into the cart as we move throughout the store. Cookies, chips, a board game, a doll, new slippers, and a giant box of gold fish crackers.

We walk down the toiletry aisle last. “I need tampons,” I explain, stepping away.

Grabbing my favorite brand, I add them to the cart.

“Or not.” Ajax smirks, throwing three pregnancy tests in with them.

My mouth moves silently, at a loss of what to say. Ajax kisses me quickly, not wanting a scene. He claims my hand again and pulls us down to the checkout.

“Piglet, do you want anything else?”

The little girl looks around until she spots something.

“A ball, please.”

“After what happened last time, how could I say no? But it goes in the bag until we’re in the RV.”

“What happened last time?” I ask.

“You.” Ajax grins, putting our stuff on the conveyor. “You sure you don’t want to get your books from here?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’d rather go to a small bookstore. The small-town girl in me, I guess.” I shrug.

Mary and I play with her new ball until everything is paid for. Ajax opens the bag, nodding into it .

Piglet scrunchies her nose but deposits the bouncy ball inside.

“Let’s go get a new bedtime story.” I clap.

“Do you read?” Ajax asks.

“Sometimes.” I shrug. “I prefer TV. You?”

“Same. Although I enjoy doing other things with my evenings as you’ve learned.” He winks.

I blush, covering my face. Ajax pulls me closer when we step out of the store. The bag taps my legs as we walk, and his other hand holds Mary’s tightly.

“Can I buy it?” I ask meekly.

He gives me a puzzled look.

“The books,” I elaborate.

“Of course you can.” He nods.

I clear my throat, feeling embarrassed. “I, um, I don’t have any money, Ajax.”

He frowns, realization dawning. “I’m sorry.” He releases me and switches the bag to his other hand to reach into his back pocket and pull out his wallet. He hands me two twenties outside of the store.

“You’re staying out here?” I ask, shocked when he leans against a parked car.

“You girls go bond, but I’ll be watching.”

I swallow hard and nod.

“Let’s go book shopping, Piglet.” I smile, holding out my hand. “You’re being very well-behaved, baby girl.”

Mary Lou grins at the compliment.

“What are you thinking? Fairy tale, animals, maybe some witches or wizards? ”

“I want a book about fairies this time. A princess fairy.”

“Have you read Harry Potter yet, or do I have to wait a few more years for that?”

“No, I saw it advertised once, though.” She shrugs.

I gasp. “You’ve not watched the films either?”

Piglet shakes her head.

“Well, we need to fix that. I think I can talk Daddy into a few film nights where we stay up super late and snack until he has to carry us both to bed.”

Mary laughs. “Yes, please.”

“Okay, let’s grab the first Harry Potter , and then we can take our time finding that fairy book.”

We lose track of time quickly. Even sneaking into a corner at the back of the shop to sit and read some of the shorter books.

“Hopefully, your dad wasn’t too bored.” I wince at the counter.

Stepping to the right, I strain my neck. He’s still standing on the sidewalk. He’s moved a little farther away to read a newspaper on sale.

At least he’s entertained. Now I feel less guilty.

“Thanks for shopping here today.” The clerk smiles, handing me my change and our bag.

I eye the coins in my hand and make an impulsive decision.

“One more stop?” I check with Mary.

My sweet girl smiles, more than happy to follow me around. Exiting the shop, I make a beeline for the curb, my target on the other side of the street.

I keep Mary close as we walk quickly, avoiding everyone rushing past us. We really picked the wrong day.

“Can you hold that for a second, please?” I hand Mary the bag, which she readily accepts. I tuck her in front of me so she can’t wander off.

The quarters make the pay phone click as I push them in. I press the number of my best friend quickly; I only have time for one call. I’m hoping for voicemail, so I pick the friend that I know won’t answer.

“Hey, Sam, it’s Lulu. I just wanted to reach out and tell you not to worry. I’m sorry that I left it so long between our calls, and I canceled all the time. Life just sucked. But I just wanted to say that I’m okay. I’m safe, and I’m happy,” I whisper into the phone. “I love you. Tell Shelby I love her too. Bye, Sam.”

My heart aches, knowing that I’ll never see them again, but I have something else now, something better.

Mary smiles up at me. “Mom, can I have some cotton candy?”

I follow her pointed finger and check what money we have left. Just enough.

“Sure, but we have to be quick. Daddy’s waiting.” She hands me the bag and takes off running to order her cotton candy .

“Mom, quick, we’ve got to hurry.” She waves me over.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that name.