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I don’t think I have one out here. I grab his off theback of the chair that he’d been working on, then make a big deal of pulling it on. It’s massive.
Ajax is right, and Mary shoots off as soon as we exit, barely giving her dad the time to lock the door. He presses something on his phone screen and tucks it into his back pocket.
“Come here.” He chuckles, lifting my arm. “Mary, don’t go too far. Wait for us. Mary Louise,” he adds when she doesn’t listen.
Ajax rolls the sleeve up until my hand is free, one arm and then the other.
“Thank you.”
“Go play. I know you want to.” He gestures to Piglet.
I’m off before he even finishes, running to catch up with my new little buddy. We skip past the few families parked on the lot, waving and calling “hi” to random people.
We’re close to the end of the lot, where the grass starts, when we say “hi” to another group of people. A few of them turn, and my face turns fire-engine red when I recognize Phil.
“Hey.” His wife waves. “It’s our new neighbors,” she tells her husband with an elbow to the ribs.
His eyes widen under his thick-rimmed glasses. “Oh, um, hi,” he mumbles.
“You guys, come on over and meet everyone.” His wife smiles.
I’d rather be shot with an arrow in the woods.
“We’re actually playing, but Ajax would love tomeet everyone.” I grin, pointing at the man in question as he catches up with us.
His hands settle on my waist, holding me hostage. “Is that a fact?” He mutters into my hair, “You’ll pay for that later.”
I shiver at the threat. His gaze scorches my back as we leave him to the wolves. After yesterday, I make sure to stay within sight. Looking back, I see Ajax has been pulled into conversation with a few men. They point at a newspaper, then pass it to him.
Mary and I play near the water’s edge but don’t cross it today. Slowly, other kids join, some hunting for pretty stones with us while a few more play farther up on the grass.
“That’s a pretty rock.” I smile at one of the kids.
“Your mom’s nice,” the little blond boy around Mary’s age says.
I wince, not knowing what to do. Should I correct him so that she doesn’t have to?
“I know.” Mary nods before I can decide. Her shy eyes peek at me from beneath her lashes.
I blink quickly.Oh, Piglet.I sit on the cold grass, watching them play, adding in words of encouragement when needed. Last week, my life was miserable, and my nerves were constantly on edge. How had I gotten here with this perfect family? Noise from the other adults filters into my thoughts.
Okay, so Ajax may not be perfect, but everyone has flaws. I roll my eyes, angrily pulling up pieces of grass.
“Mommy, can I go play over there with the other kids?” Mary asks, slowly approaching. Her little face screams anxiety. She’s worried I’ll correct her.
“Sure, baby,” I manage to get out. “I’ll be right there if you need me.” I point at a spot under a tree, closer to where all the kids have congregated. Ajax won’t be able to see her from where he is, but at least I’ll be close enough to keep watch.
“Will you save my rocks so we can paint them later, please?”
“Absolutely.”
Piglet holds my hand until we get to the spot I point at.
“I’ll be right here,” I repeat when she hesitates.
She starts to leave with her new friend, but spins back to me. Rushing over, she throws her arms around me and squeezes me tight. I hug her back.
“Right here,” I whisper, stroking her hair.
