Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Page 71

“So where do you check email, write Word documents, use the Internet?”
“I go to the library, every Saturday. I spend the afternoon there to get away.”
“And that’s the only computer you have?”
“Other than the one at work.”
He got a strange look which reminded me of Muffy’s face the night I feed her eggs. “I’ve got to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a minute.” He practically sprinted down the hall.
Guess I pegged that one right.
When he returned, he was more serious than he was at breakfast. “Okay, let’s go.” He sounded like I was marching him to his execution rather than the other way around.
“Nobody’s forcing you into this, Joe McAllister.”
“I said we were gonna have a fun day and we’re gonna do it,” he said, his voice riddled with irritation. If I hadn’t been so aggravated at him I would have laughed.
“We still have to get my car,” I said, while he locked my side door.
“Yeah, we will. Later.” He handed me my keys but refused to look at me.
We got in Joe’s car and took off down the street. “Where are we goin’?”
“It's a surprise,” he said, his voice gruff and no-nonsense. He reminded me of the night he left me to go to work. Fear percolated in my chest. What if Joe was taking me somewhere to kill me?
I started to hyperventilate.
Joe swerved the car to the side of the road. He turned toward me, resting his hand on my head rest. “Are you okay?” He sounded kinder, but it wasn’t enough to settle my fears.
I sucked in air like a fish on dry land, but my head just got fuzzier. Both of my hands fumbled for the door handle and I struggled to pull the lever. I got the door open and practically fell onto the side of the road.
“Rose!”
I scrambled to my feet and stood up, gasping for air, trying to figure out what to do. Joe had already gotten out of the car, walking in my direction.
I can’t let him get me.I took off running down the sidewalk, away from my house.
It was a stupid plan, in fact, not a plan at all, just instinct. Run away. Joe had longer legs and was in better shape and he caught me in seconds. I’d like to say it was because my blood was poorly oxygenated from the hyperventilating, but I’d be lying. He grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face him.
“Where are you goin’?” Then he saw my face, the terror and panic. His eyes widened. “Oh, my God, you’re scared of me. Why?”
I took deep breaths trying to get my wits about me because obviously my reactions so far hadn’t worked out so well.
Joe started to pull me into a hug, but I stiffened and he let me go, dropping his hands to his sides. “Don’t run off, okay?”
I nodded, but silently added until I need to.
“Why are you scared of me? What did I do?”
I couldn't very well tell him the truth. “You were upset that I used your computer.” I mentally congratulated myself for thinking so quickly. Maybe my brain worked better with more oxygen.
Joe heaved a deep breath and put his hands on his hips. “Rose, I just wondered why you were using mine. I didn't realize you didn’t have one. I have some work stuff on there that I’m kind of private about.”
“Mechanic stuff?” The disbelief was undeniable. So much for thinking.
His face started to harden, but he caught himself. “You’d be surprised. Most people don't realize new cars are run by computers.”
I had to admit he was good. I almost believed him.
“Rose, we’ve fought before and you’ve never been afraid of me. Why are you scared of me now?”
I didn’t know what to say. My eyes filled with tears, only maybe I could use it to my advantage. “I’m sorry. First Momma was killed, then Sloan and the break-ins. It’s all too much. I’m sorry.”
“Do you think I’d hurt you?”
I thought for a millisecond before I answered, “No, of course not.”
But it was a millisecond too long. He looked more hurt than he had a right to. “We can go home if you want.”
“No! I’m okay. Just tell me where we’re goin’.” I still hoped to get away and it would be easier to lose him if we were around other people. “I can’t take any more surprises right now.”
“The park first, to fly a kite.”
“Really?” His response surprised me.
“Yeah, I bought one a few days ago. I also planned to dance with you but you already did that one.”
I gave him a hesitant smile.
“I was gonna offer to help you with number thirteen but after what just happened, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Number thirteen?”
“Get a boyfriend.” He sounded embarrassed.
Regret and sadness for what my life could have been washed through me as I faced the reality of what it was. People died all the time, every day. What did one more insignificant person matter?
What was the point of this stupid list?
When we got to the park, Joe told me he’d hold the kite and I was supposed to run with it. It took several attempts until the kite became skybound. Joe ran over to me and fed line until it flew higher and higher. He stood next to me but our magic had disappeared, replaced with fear and wariness. Joe sensed it too and asked me if I was ready to go.
We walked to the car, side by side but a million miles apart, and I saw a family setting up a picnic. A mother and father with two small children. The father tossed a baseball to his son and the daughter sat on blanket playing with a doll. I watched with sadness and envy.