Page 71 of Aaron's Patience

Once I pushed the heavy door open, I was surprised yet extremely grateful of how clean the park’s overseers kept the bathroom. Though, there was only one stall to use at a time. I entered the stall and covered the seat with one of the toilet seat covers. Just as I squatted to do my business, I heard a knocking on the door.

“Occupied!” I called out, just as the sound of the door being pushed open sounded.

I waited a heartbeat but didn’t hear anything else.

“I’m sorry, there’s only one stall in here. I’ll be right out!” I stated loudly. Again, there was no response. Pinching my lips, I felt a shiver of fear run through my veins. I stopped breathing when I heard heavy footsteps, sounding much heavier and more firm than the steps of any woman.

“H-hello? Who’s there? This is the women’s restroom,” I informed, hoping the person was just confused.

This time I wasn’t surprised when no response came, but the fear began to nearly choke me. I stood, pulling my pants up and then grabbing for the tube of pepper spray I kept in the bag I always carried with me.

“Hello!” I called again, this time much more firm.

Just as it sounded as if the person was on the other side of the door, the footsteps began moving farther away. I heard the door open and close again.

Trembling, I stood there with the pepper spray in my hands, but then I remembered … “The kids!” I whispered out loud right before pushing through the stall door and moving to the exit as quickly as possible. I needed to get to Kyle and Kennedy, to make sure they were all right.

I ran over to where I’d left Daniel with the children, and to my relief the three of them were playing a round of duck-duck-goose as Daniel dutifully watched over them. I turned, hand on my head, looking around for anyone that seemed to be standing too close or out of the ordinary. I tried to remember the self-defense tactics my instructor from years ago said about how to keep aware of your surroundings. No one nearby sent off any alarm bells. Most looked to be college students or retired individuals just taking in a fall walk in the park. I sighed, closing my eyes, willing my heart to slow down.

“Patience. Everything all right?”

I turned my eyes on a concerned looking Daniel.

“Everything’s fine. Just fine,” I muttered the last part.

Everything was definitelynotfine.

****

“Thanks for waiting and for picking up Diego,” Michelle said as she pulled me in for a one-arm hug.

I waved a hand, dismissing her thanks. “It was nothing. Those three can’t get enough of one another.”

Michelle laughed. “That’s true. I hate that I’m late though. I had to stay late for a client and then I wasn’t feeling well.” She shrugged. “Anyway, where are the superhero costumes? Those should be the easiest to pick out for the boys.”

I nodded, looking around the high-end department store we’d entered to do the children’s costume shopping.

“Come on, Mama!” Diego urged Michelle, taking her by the hand.

“I guess they’re over there,” she laughed, looking toward me but then pressing her hand to her stomach.

I narrowed my gaze.

“You all go on ahead, I just need to grab something real quick.” Michelle gave little argument and the three children walked with her to the far end of the store where the costumes were held. I moved to the cooler that sat up front by the registers, grabbing a can of ginger ale and a small box of Saltine crackers. I quickly paid for my items and proceeded to open one of the packs of crackers while moving in the direction of the costumes.

“I want this one, Mama,” I heard Diego shout as I rounded the aisle.

I came to see him holding up an Aquaman costume.

“Kyle, you should get this one.” He pointed to a Spiderman costume.

“What about me?” Kennedy asked, frowning.

I moved closer to Michelle, as the three children debated, and talked amongst themselves. “These are for you,” I whispered in her ear.

She looked down at the food and beverage in my hand, her wide eyes then returning to me.

“That first trimester is a bitch, isn’t it?”