“It was weird, but maybe it’s baby hormones or something.” She shrugs against me. “Who knows what goes on between the two of them.”
“True.”
“She’s known him for years, though. Maybe she’s sick of his tears.”
“He cries?” I need to know more. “A lot?”
“Oh, yeah. He sobs when he’s happy, when he’s sad, when he’s mad, when he doesn’t get his way….especiallywhen he doesn’t get his way. It’s one of the tools in his manipulation arsenal.”
“Wow.” It sounds like Prudence has the guy figured out. Why wouldn’t she? Years of dealing with that bullshit would teach you a lot about a person.
“Yep. I sort of feel sorry for her, but like I said, she’s known him a long time.”
Prudence falls asleep against me shortly after clearing the picnic off the bed. Her cat, Otto, has found his perch at the end of the bed between her feet. I turn the television down and select closed captions so I can read along with the show. As she sleeps, I run my hand up and down her arm. Her skin is so fucking soft, I could do this forever. After a time, I follow suit and fall asleep with my girl against me. Life’s good.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Prudence
“Hey, listen to this.”Laura’s got her tablet out, reading something on that.
“What?”
“Police in Des Moines are closing in on the driver of the vehicle from the August hit and run accident that killed Celeste Coleman.”
“Who is it?”
“It doesn’t give any names. It’s just a blurb I found when I searched Celeste’s name.”
“That detective thought it was a kid or a woman. My money is on a woman. Celeste was always a hag to other women.”
“She was a hag to everyone. Except her son.”
“True.”
“Okay.” Laura sighs. “I’m heading out to lunch. I’ll be a couple of hours.”
I roll my eyes. She’s always taking extended lunches, but hey, this is her business. I just work here. “Which reminds me.”
“What, boo?”
“My class starts next week. It’ll be my turn for long lunches.”I’m doing it!I’m enrolled in real estate classes. There’s a series of courses I need to take before I can test for my real estate license. The realtor in town agreed to sponsor me and helped set the classes up to fit in during my lunch hour.
“I got your back, Pru. No worries.”
I’m beaming at her words. “I know you do. Thanks.”
“Happy for you. When you get your license, you can be the one that lists my house.”
“You’re selling your house?”
“I think I want something with more character.” Her house is nice, but she’s right, it’s very cookie-cutter.
“Awesome.” I clap my hands. “My first customer.”
“See you later, gator.”
“Later.” Once she leaves, I turn my attention to the longest wall on my side of the store. It’s lined with pegboard. Because of that, the hooks and shelves are adjustable and changeable. It’s been this way since I started almost a year ago. It’s time for a revamp. I’m thinking I may even paint before I reorganize everything. With a notepad in hand, I start to sketch out the new layout. That’s when someone enters the store. “Be right with you.” I say loud enough for them to hear. The person doesn’t respond, but they rarely do.
