She frowns. “But Ford can’t be on timeout forever. He’ll come hang out with us again. I know he won’t stay away too long.”
Another quiver attacks my lower lip. I rub at the sting expanding across the bridge of my nose. My vision clouds, a smoky film obscuring the exit route from this mess. How do I tell this innocent child that the man she idolizes doesn’t plan to see her ever again?
Josey must notice that I’m two seconds away from crumbling. She claps her hands and ushers us toward the door. “How about we go to Springing Swirls for some ice cream?”
Millie’s slouching shoulders perk upright. “Yay! Can I get extra sprinkles, Mama?”
“Of course, sweetie. Double the cherries, too.” Whatever gets her mind off the man who I’m not going to name, even in my thoughts.
She cuddles into my side as we stroll along the sidewalk. “Can we take Elsa for a walk this afternoon?”
I comb my fingers through her silky hair. The sunshine makes her golden strands shimmer and glow. “Absolutely. We just have to steer clear of the woods. Auntie JoJo is scared of monsters.”
My friend snorts, gaining the attention of a few older ladies passing us. She waves at them as if her obnoxious noises are a typical occurrence. In her case, they most certainly are. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound farfetched. I mean, that Boogie Man is terrifying. If only some mighty knight could rescue us.”
Millie gasps. “Ford could save us!”
I roll my eyes toward my so-called bestie. “Thanks a lot, Josephine.”
She scoffs again. “Put a little sparkle on that drab tone. There’s nothing wrong with a little hero worship. You’re the one trying to avoid him on purpose.”
“For good reason,” I grumble.
A jingle announces our arrival when Josey guides us into the sweet shop. “A heaping helping of sugar will boost your mood.”
“Fingers crossed.” The idea of eating turns my stomach with a somersault. My appetite has taken a serious blow since that incident with the culprit. Yeah, that’s a good attitude to have. I roll the knot from my neck and stride toward the counter to order.
We settle into a booth along the far wall. Millie attacks her banana split with gusto. Josey is licking her twist cone with overt enthusiasm. Porn stars would be jealous of her tongue-curling technique. Damn, how is she single? And why am I still watching? I blame my voyeurism on our table being too silent. The murmuring din from other patrons is irritating, like the tag on a shirt. I’m antsy and aggravated, and it’s all his fault. Heat builds behind my eyelids and the dam bursts beyond control.
I slam my untouched sundae onto the table. My spoon clatters against the ceramic edge. For a moment I worry the bowl will crack. “I gave him a hug. Like a real hug. And what did he do? Just toss us away.”
Josey places her hand over mine, which is currently gripping the table with white knuckles. “Okay, Keke. Let’s just take a breath.”
A growl rips up my clogging throat. “I don’t need air or more ice cream or sappy movies. I just want him to give Millie the goodbye she deserves. Then she can move on.” I give my daughter a watery smile.
She tilts her head at me in return. “But he’s coming back, Mama.”
I sniffle while wiping at my leaking eyes. “No, sweetie. He’s not.”
“Why are you saying that?”
“Because he told me. He didn’t want to hurt your feelings more, Mills. So, he just left instead.” Such a selfish, sniveling coward. I should’ve bit him harder when I had the chance.
My daughter looks down at her mostly devoured dessert. “Why would he do that?”
I hiss as the crack in her voice pierces the softest section of my heart. After a rough swallow, I reach for her hand with trembling fingers. “He’s the only one who knows the answer. Maybe he thinks that will protect you.”
“But it’s not. When Ford isn’t around, I’m not as happy. Isn’t he sad without us?”
I nod, forcing a crooked grin. “He’s probably very upset.”
“Then he probably misses us a lot. We should call him.”
“Absolutely not,” I blurt. After a much-needed pause, I exhale a stream of bitter juju. “I mean, he’s probably busy, and we don’t want to bother him. If we stay busy, things will get easier.”
Millie’s posture slumps with a thick sigh. “Okay, Mama. I’ll try to stop missing him.”
And I’m officially the worst mom ever. The fact I gave him a chance in the first place lands heavier than bricks on my shoulders. Regret shackles to my ankles and drags me lower. I blink the moisture from my lashes, giving her palm a squeeze for reassurance. “I’m so sorry, Millie. Please don’t let him steal your smile.”
“It’s not your fault, Mama. Ford hurt your heart, too.”
My little girl is wise beyond her years. “But it shouldn’t have happened to you.”
Josey lets a loud whistle loose. “All right, ladies. Enough of the wallowing. What’s next on the agenda?”
“I dunno. Maybe a nap?” I could sure use one.
She makes the sound of a buzzer. “Wrong answer. How about we go dancing?”
“No.” There’s no hesitation from me.
Her brows leap upward. “Why not?”
“First and most important of all, that’s not a public activity Millie should participate in until she’s at least twenty-five. And second, remember what happened last time?”
Josey smacks her lips together. “You satisfied the wild beast inside of you with crazy animal humping?”
Millie giggles at her inappropriate, albeit accurate, description. “You’re so silly, JoJo.”
She winks. “That’s why you keep me around, right?”
“Uh-huh. And you let me stay up way past my bedtime.”
Josey claps a palm over my daughter’s mouth. A dry laugh scrapes out of her. “She’s totally joking. All that sugar is going straight to her head.”
I scowl at her weak
