“Our two weeks are up in four more days. That’s if you don’t want to head on out today.”
She stopped rolling in the sand. “No, I don’t want to leave today. I like it here. I want to stay forever.”
“Can’t do that. I wish…”
“Why not? It’s my birthday, and I get a wish.”
“Today’s your birthday, for real?”
“Yes, I’m twenty.”
“Well, do you have any other wishes?”
“I want to sleep outside tonight.”
“Okay,” I said slowly, thinking of how to make it happen. “After the baby goes to sleep, we’ll keep the window opened and you can sleep on this porch swing.” I’d stay with her of course. I’d have to stay up all night.
“Have I thanked you? I’ve always wanted a Cowboy to come, take me away.”
“Yes, you have.” Multiple times, I thought but wouldn’t dare say.
She ran over to the porch. “And I want Apple Pie from Big Mike’s Pies.”
Halley had been so animated, I couldn’t deny her. She promised to stay inside while I drove to find her pie. Big Mike's, you couldn’t miss it. It was just where she said it was, located right in the middle of Julian’s main street. I also picked up some steaks and fixins at the local PigglyWiggly. Walking the aisle, I found a plush unicorn that reminded me of her. Then I picked up a card, thinking if she’d been a prisoner her whole life she probably never had a proper birthday. It took me way too long to find one with the right words. I settled on one that said something about new beginnings. Then I decided I’d have to wrap the stuffed animal. Who didn’t want something to unwrap on their birthday? When I left the store, I also had balloons, candles for the pie, sparklers for when it got dark and of course, some diapers and baby wipes.
When I made it back, I used the grill for the first time since we’d been here. We ate at the picnic table with the baby getting fresh air too. I made a big deal of putting candles in her pie and singing Happy Birthday. I even filmed her blowing out the candles at her request. When she opened her gift, you’d think I’d given her a diamond, she was so thrilled. It was truly a perfect day. We finished it by drinking some Champaign. I couldn’t believe Halley hadn’t ever had a drop of alcohol before. I started drinking too young.
Eventually, the baby tuckered out for the night. Halley got him situated inside. I laid down a blanket and sat on the swing, laying a pillow in my lap. I directed Halley to lie on the swing, to lie her head down on me. I was alsoright beside the window and could see her baby who was sound asleep. She still hadn’t named him. Maybe she was waiting until we got to Arizona. I could tell she cared for the child. She took good care of him. He made her happy. The little darling was so cute, I couldn’t help to smile at his gurgles myself.
Halley and I talked half the night, about nothing until she asked about Arizona again.
“I’m not sure I want to be around bikers anymore.”
“I’m a biker. You’ve seen my cut.”
“You’re different. You’re sweet.”
She fell asleep. Determined to stay up, I just watched her breathe in and out. She wasn’t scared of me. She trusted me enough to fall asleep and watch her and the baby. Hours passed with me at total peace. Then I spent an hour thinking about how different Halley was from Anarchy. Different in every way. Anarchy was one tough bitch. She’d never sleep with her head in my lap unless she was passed out drunk. She’d never tell me I was sweet. She’d never find pleasure in the simple things Halley did. That was something Halley and I had in common, for now. I was enjoying getting to know her.
As I thought of what the next few days could bring, I heard a rustling. My mind went to animals creeping around, and I thought I might have to cut our night short and take Halley inside. My mind was made for me when I saw a flash of light, a flashlight. I picked up Halley and got her inside. With my gun out, I guarded the door. Although nothing came of it, I didn’t sleep. I packed up the baby bag and our few belongings.
In the morning, I told Halley what had happened, that we had to leave. We ate quick, packed some food and left the keys inside the cabin as instructed for check out.
In the car, Halley hunched against the door scared. She cradled the baby. “Who do you think it was?”
“Not sure, but I’m not taking any chances.” We’d be taking the long way to Arizona. It’d take a couple of days, and I’d have to stop somewhere to sleep. We didn’t have a car seat. She’d been really worried about that, too.
She commented, “I’m a bad mom, already.”
I decided to take her mind off it and continue letting her get to know me.
“Never knew my mama, well that’s a fib I tell. I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone, alright?”
“Okay…”
I had her attention. “I’m a lost boy.”
“You mean like Peter Pan?”
