After I snuck in a small nap, I took us to a matinee.
We snacked on everything, but Levi wore more of the popcorn than ate it.
By the time the ending credits rolled, Levi had fallen asleep. I was stuck carrying the premium bucket of popcorn with the cup and candy inside my purse, all while holding his heavy ass through the center plex.
“Levi, you’re gonna have to wake up,” I told him, but all he did was stir in his sleep.
My arms trembled to hold the purse over my shoulder.
“Ma,” he murmured.
“I got you,” I whispered.
The lot was thinning out as I saw the car from the escalator. The sun casted a shadow across the pavement. I didn’t realize I was being followed until I heard footsteps behind me.
“You got it?”
That voice.
I slightly turned to see Rayzor. Hoodie on. Hands in his pockets. Watching me like he’d been looking for a minute.
“I got it,” I replied, shifting Levi without waking him.
He stepped out, reaching for Levi.
“I hear you.”
Rayzor didn’t wait for me as he gently grabbed him, naturally like he’d done it before. Levi didn’t resist. Just laid his head on his shoulder and continued sleeping.
Something about it made my chest tight and heart flutter.
I started back up on my walk. My shoulder thanked me as I dropped my purse and held it in my hands. I placed the cup inside the bucket and that also took a weight off me.
“You always carry the world on your shoulder?”
“I have to.” I paused. The cars zoomed past in the distance. “It’s just been me.”
Our footsteps moved in sync. Rayzor walked slow and deliberate.
We stopped by my car.
“This you right here, right?”
“You know better than me,” I giggled.
“Something… like that,” he responded, scanning the lot.
His eyes flickered across to a silver sedan sitting in the middle of the lot.
“You know them?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. Why?”
He walked to Levi’s side of the car. “Nothing.”
His body language changed. Shoulders and jaw tight. Eyes and movements sharper.
He placed him inside his car seat.
