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“In the living room, Ma.”
“Did you see these forms, sweetheart? For the local school.” Kylie slowly walks into the room and sits beside him on the couch, looking a little worn out from exertion.
“Do I have to? Maribel needs me here.”
I hear what he’s not saying… that he doesn’t want to leave his mom. It has nothing to do with Maribel.
“Maribel needs time to do her jobs without a twelve-year-old boy around her feet. And you need an education so you can find your own destiny, sweetheart.”
Paxton sighs, but I can see the defeat in his eyes. He’d give the world to his mom if he could, it’s obvious every time I watch them together.
“Okay, can we fill them out together?” He’s so hopeful, and my heart aches for the relationship I never got to keep with my own mom.
“Of course. Do you have a pen?” The smile she gives her son eases the ache a little because a love like that is beautiful.
“I’ll go and grab one.” Paxton shoots off the couch and heads out of the room, presumably to find a pen.
“How are you fitting in so far, Athena?” Her voice is soft, gentle, as she relaxes back into the cushions and covers herself with the blanket. She’s wearing a pair of light-pink pajamas that look real warm, but I guess she’s still not feeling very well after being sick two days ago.
“Good. Everyone here is so nice. It’s kinda surreal.” I say good, but I’m absolutely not. Having no ID or social security number is a hurdle I hadn’t expected when I left.
I won’t lay that burden on Kylie though. She has her own problems, and she’s in this place for a reason.
“How are you feeling today?” I’m taking my own advice and trying to make a connection here. My mistrust in the world isn’t warranted in this home as far as I can tell, so this friendship is a safe one… I hope she wants to be my friend anyway.
“A lot better. Thank you. It’s just a virus that’s been going around. Nothing to worry about. Maribel said that Lucy over in the coffee shop was hiring, and she’d be willing to take both of us on, so we’ll be colleagues. Just as soon as I kick this bug.” Her smile is almost as warm and inviting toward me as it is her son.
I’d put her at around the same age as me, which would mean she had Paxton when she was a teenager, and in some ways I’m jealous. I never got to have that. The option was taken away.
“There you are.” The new voice makes both me and Kylie jump. “Flick. Sorry, ladies. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” It’s the woman from the day my knight in leather armor saved me.
No. Not mine. Even though I know he was following me on Monday. When I saw him and his friend, my heart fluttered, my stomach flip-flopped, and I almost fell flat on my face. I don’t know how a person can do that to another. The strange way I feel drawn to him is like watching myself from outside my own body.
“Hey, Mac. How’s baby?” Kylie seems to treat everyone with a kindness she herself should have experienced. Or maybe she did at some point?
Would it be rude to ask her why she’s here?
“He rolled over on his own for the first time yesterday. Aleko has already started building him a custom motorcycle for when he starts walking.” She laughs, and I think she’s joking?
Kylie laughs too, but only lightly, as though she’s trying not to jostle herself too much. She looks a little pastier than she did when she first came in, but she’s still smiling.
“I’m surprised he’s waiting that long from what you’ve told me. Treasure the pre-walking months though, they don’t spend anywhere near enough time in your arms once they’re mobile.” Kylie shifts on the couch and lets the blanket drop to the floor.
“Got one, Mom!” Paxton bounds back into the room, pausing beside Mac to give her a quick hug before sitting beside Kylie. “We’re filling out forms for school. Will I still have time to join your motorcycle racing team if I go to school?” He looks genuinely concerned.
“You have at least another three years before you’re riding your own bike, Pax. But yeah, you’ll have plenty of time.” Mac moves to sit on the arm of the couch beside Paxton and ruffles his hair. He pulls a face, but it’s obvious he loves it.
Meanwhile, I’m like a quiet observer to this whole thing happening between these people I’ve only known for a few days, and I feel more a part of this than I have of anything. It’s a feeling that’s difficult to ignore, and not one I thought I’d ever actually experience, but I guess this is what the real world is like?
“Maribel said I could take you shopping today, Athena. If you’re up for it?”
I want to say no, thank you, or even channel my inner Becca and go all “acca-scuse me?!”, but there’s a part of me that wants to go. The whole point in doing what I did… and leaving, was to see the world. I won’t see anything if I stay here. Plus, Maribel gave me some money a couple of days ago for new clothes. She said the town donates funds for women who come here so they can get back on their feet if they need to. It felt weird taking money from her, especially because she didn’t ask for anything in return. In fact, she flat out refused me doing the dishes or anything for her that evening.
It was a little light in my dark, stormy day after finding out I’m basically unemployable. That, and she told me she could help get me on the right track.
A few seconds later than what I’m sure is a reasonable amount of time, I realize Mac is still waiting for my answer, but her smile doesn’t waver in my silence. She’s being patient, calm, and it’s actually comforting. She’s not as scary as I thought she was the other day.
But that could be a front. It was withher.