“What for? I’m not messy.” Ava faced me with her hands on her hips.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s for wiping noses and stuff. You may have messy friends. The whole class uses this stuff.”
“Well, that’s gross.” She made a gagging motion.
“Yep.” I laughed some more. I remember one of my teachers placing a roll of toilet paper on a shelf because our tissue ran out and no one would buy any. I grabbed about four boxes and tossed them in the cart. That should last a little while. “You ready to get out of here? I thought maybe a shake before we head home.” I waited as Ava stared longingly at the sneakers hanging on the endcap.
“Sure.” She sighed. “We don’t have enough for these, do we?” She pointed at the shoes, and then her eyes darted down to the dirty sneakers she was wearing.
My heart squeezed as I watched the defeat on her face. I thumbed through the cash in my wallet. I had enough for the supplies, but not the shoes. “Maybe next time, sweetie.” I grimaced.
“It’s always next time,” she grumbled as she took one more look at the sneakers and then shuffled up next to me.
“Mommy gets paid in a couple of days. We’ll come back.” I ruffled her hair, and turned toward the checkout lanes. I hated doing this to her, but I wasn’t skilled enough to have a job that paid the big bucks. We lived paycheck to paycheck, and cash only. Donna told me to never have anything that could be traced. No cell phone, no credit cards, no bank account. I’ve stuck to that over the years, but it makes things hard. Ava isn’t old enough yet to see that we’re different, but I know that time is coming. I dread the day I have to sit down with her and tell her the truth.
After checking out, Ava and I carried the bags out to the car. I rarely drove it, but on days like today I knew I couldn’t carry everything. “Fancy seeing you here,” a male voice called from behind us, and made me jump.
“Mr. Blake.” Ava beamed. “I’m getting ready for school.”
“Are you?” He grinned as he moved closer. Today he was dressed in jeans and a polo, not what I consider someone from the sheriff’s office to wear.
“Un huh. I got a new backpack, and all kinds of stuff. Mommy said no to new shoes though.” Her chin dropped as well as her voice.
Blake’s eyes softened as he watched her. “I’m sure Mommy had a good reason.”
“Yeah. We didn’t…” I grabbed her hand and glared.
“We need to get going.” I closed the trunk, and ushered Ava around to the backseat. “It was nice seeing you.” I nodded as I buckled her in, and then scrambled to get in myself. There was something about him that made my heart race and I wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or not. Julie was right, he was good looking, but I couldn’t let a man into our lives…not now, not ever.
ooooooooo
Blake
There was something about that little girl that made you smile. She was so honest and innocent. I could tell they struggled. Despite the fact that I was working, and needed to leave the store, I went inside. I wandered through the aisles of school supplies, and then over to the clothes and shoes. I wondered what shoes Ava was talking about. The store had several choices for little girls. When I rounded a corner, I saw a display of purple and blue sneakers. They had sparkles on them and when you walked, little lights flashed. This had to be what she was talking about. What five-year-old wouldn’t want these?
I glanced around for an employee. The store was busy, and it seemed that everyone was helping someone. “Excuse me.” I motioned to a woman who looked like she could help. “I want to get some of these for a little girl, but I don’t know what size she is. She’s five.”
The woman smiled, but I figured she probably thought I was crazy. “Try these. If they don’t fit, just save the receipt and bring them back.” She handed me a pair and then rushed off to help another customer.
I examined the tag before I went to the checkout. The shoes were only thirty dollars. It hurt to know that thirty dollars was too much for Kellie. I paid for my purchase and then made my way out to my car. I tossed the shoes onto the seat, and headed back to Main Street. My work here was done anyway.
I parked outside Hunt Market and searched for their car. I didn’t see it anywhere. I got out, scanned the area, nothing. Deciding that she may have parked somewhere else, or someone in the market might tell me where she lived, I went inside. A woman, about Kellie’s age, was working the register.
“Can I help you?” She brushed her hands on the apron tied around her waist.
“I’m looking for Kellie.” I scanned the place, no sign of her.
“She’s off today. Something I can get for you?”
“Can you tell me where she lives?” I leaned against the checkout counter.
“No.” She shook her head. “Kellie’s very private. You won’t get information about her unless she gives it to you.”
“But you know where she lives.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“I can help you with things here, in the store.” She motioned around the store.
“Ok, thanks.” I went back outside. That was one of the oddest encounters I’ve had since arriving here, and I’m beginning to wonder what they’re all worried about.
ooooooooo
Brooke
“Let’s put all this in the kitchen, and then you can go play.” I handed Ava a bag. We’d gotten our shakes to go, and were back home. I wanted to unload the car, and get it back in the garage.
“Ok.” She smiled as she skipped up to the door with a bag of supplies. Her mood had completely transformed once she got her shake. It was an inexpensive treat that we’d both become accustomed to. “Can I set up the sprinkler?” She put her hands together as if she was praying and gave me a pleading look.
“Eh. Summer’s almost over, so I guess we can do that.” I laughed as she bounced inside and soon returned empty handed.
It only took us a few minutes to unload everything. Ava scampered into her room to put on her bathing suit, and I moved the car. Once the door was pulled down and locked, I went to work dragging the hose across the yard. We had a nice grassy area just to the right of the driveway. I bought this frog sprinkler at a garage sale last year. Ava loved the thing, and it was easy to set up.
I’d finished hooking everything up just as she came barreling out the door. “Ready, Mama.” She bounced on her toes.
“Here we go.” I turned on the water, and watched as she danced around in the spray. It was a hot day, and she looked like a little fairy in the glimmering water.
It’s moments like this that make the running worth it. Pure, unfiltered happiness. My daughter deserved so much more than the hand she was dealt. I wanted to give her everything under the sun, but I couldn’t. Warren had taken that ability from me. He was punishing me even now, hundreds of miles away. I couldn’t buy simple things like a pair of light up shoes. One day though… one day all of this was going to change. Donna always told me to keep the faith, and as I watch the joy on my daughter’s face, I know things will get better.
Chapter 7
6 Years Ago
Brooke