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“Brittny Selene Page, taking care of your car is a priority. It’s life or death.” A thin, snappable thread of concern rides beneath the harsh tone.
“I know, Mom. Mistakes happen.”
She sighs. “Mistakes that could cost you your life shouldn’t happen, baby.” Softer, she mutters, “Three hours…I was planning a nice dinner.”
I blink back tears and keep a smile on my face as I pick Oxford up, stand from the crowded auto lobby, and slip out into the store. “I’m sorry. Maybe they’ll be done sooner.”
There isn’t a single chance that they’ll be done sooner. It’s more likely to take ten hours with how many people are waiting.
“Hopefully. Keep me updated.”
“I will.”
The line cuts as I enter the pet aisle. It’s crowded, and I don’t know why I’m even there. Oxford doesn’t like toys. He judges me when I get them for him, staring up into my eyes with his pitiful puppy despondency before weakly giving in—almost more for my sake than his. I never taught him how to play fetch. He just does, begrudgingly.
I want to go back home where the Walmart is forty minutes away and no one is there outside of the rush hours that I adamantly avoid. Better yet, I want to go to Martyn’s Grocery Mart where the cashier knows me well enough to ask how my baby puppy is doing and show me pictures of her dog when no one is waiting in line behind me.
Feeling vaguely itchy, I march outside, find a sprawling parking lot, people, cars, pop music screaming from an outdoor speaker. “I hate this,” I whisper to no one. “Why didn’t I just remember to get my oil changed back home? It’s not hard. I do it every time I plan a trip.” I head toward the side of the building where I saw a row of vending machines on my way in. Turning the corner, I nearly collide with someone holding a cigarette and jolt back. “I’m so sorry.”
“Watch where you’re going!” he snaps, plowing into my shoulder and disappearing around the bend.
My jaw clenches. My eyes burn.
Fighting desperately for a sense of stability, I pull my phone out again and hesitate with my thumb over Alana’s number in my contacts.
Doliver’s number peers at me right below Dad’s, a testament to how few people I have in my phone.
Alana.
Dad.
Doliver.
Mom.
What am I even thinking?
He has his own problems and definitely doesn’t need me to call or message him on the verge of tears. We only just verbalized a desire to become friends. Normal friends. Not best friends. Calling someone while sobbing is what sisters are for.
Even though Alana rarely calls me crying.
Whenever she calls and is emotional, it’s because an anime character has passed away. And even then, the emotion isn’t sadness—it’s fury.
I’m the only one who crumbles like this in front of her.
“Hey.” A voice interrupts my thoughts, and my heart jerks. “Cute dog.” A man leaning out the open passenger side window of a large black SUV smiles at me. “My buddy and I saw what just happened. Are you okay?”
I take a step back. “Yes, thank you.”
“You sure?” The SUV parks, and my stomach knots.
In the utter chaos of this Walmart, I managed to find the one place without another soul.
“I’m sure,” I say, forcing a pleasant smile that I hope doesn’t look terrified. What’s the protocol for being a woman alone in a city again? It’s been so long since I’ve been scared over something like this. My little town where everyone knows everyone has spoiled me. Back home, it feels like someone good is always nearby. Willing and ready to help if anything goes wrong.
The passenger door pops open, and the man stands, rising several inches taller than me, a greasy smile planted below a quiff of blond hair. He scratches at the stubble on his chin. “You don’t seem sure.”
“I am.” My voice pitches. “I promise.”
