“You ain’t going anywhere,” Albert’s muffled voice barked into my car.
“What the…?”I turned toward the old man, glaring through my window.I lowered the window.“What is happening?”
“It’s a parade, dumbass.”
Realization slammed into me as I exhaled.Albert was right.I was a dumbass.“Labor Day.”
“You didn’t win no prize.Why are you staring at me?”
“Sorry.Have you seen Rose?It’s important.”
“Heard you knocked her up.”
“Wha—how did…” I took a deep breath and settled my nerves.“Manners, Albert.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.Have you seen Rose?”
“She’s down there,” someone yelled from behind him.
I put my car in park and jumped out.
“Where the hell are you going?”Albert asked.
“To find the mother of my child.”
“You can’t leave your car here.”
“Key fob is inside.Do what you got to do.”
“What the fuck is a key fob?”
“Albert, it’s the twenty-first century.I suggest you join the rest of us.”I took off, dodging people, avoiding children like a pro.
“Rose, have you seen Rose?”I called into the crowd, knowing at least ninety percent of people would know who I’m talking about.
“Wyatt!”Odette’s voice called out to me.“She’s down by Espresso Yourself.”
I threw my hand in the air.“Thanks, Odette.”
“Are you going to make a scene?Declare your love for her?”Somehow Odette was beside me.She moved quickly for a woman her age.
“Maybe,” I said.“Haven’t really thought it through.I just need to see her.”
Odette clapped as she managed to keep pace with me.“Oh, I knew this was going to be good.I told Steve this morning that something big was coming.He said it was indigestion, but I knew.”
“I really don’t have time—” I said as I cut around a group of teenagers texting each other.
She huffed beside me.How the hell was she keeping up?“What’s the game plan?”
“I don’t have one.”
“In the moment.Even better.”
“I just need to see her.”I glanced toward Odette.“Are you… running?”
“I walk fast when gossip is involved.”
