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“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.”
