“Tell me, Ember, do you think about him when you’re touching yourself?”
I ignore the comment.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Please, stop.”
“What will it take for you to think about me? Hmm? If I fuck you? If I spank that gorgeous ass of yours?”
“Leave me alone.” I swallow down the fear that rises in my throat. I take a step to the left, but so does he.
“No.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” I’m terrified. Bumping into the shelf again, a large jar falls to the ground, shattering and splashing Edgar. With his attention directed elsewhere, I run for the door.
“This isn’t over,” he calls after me.
A moment later, I’m outside with Hazel and Officer Joe.
“Em? You okay?” Hazel asks. “Where’s your sweater?”
“I’m fine. I couldn’t find it.” I grab ahold of her arm. “Let’s go.”
We walk down the street, and I guide our pace.
“What’s the rush?”
I don’t want to tell her what happened. In fact, I’d rather just forget it and never have to return there.
“I was thinking, maybe I will go for that job.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. The diner…” I look back at the building that Edgar is exiting. He gives me an evil smile before turning in the opposite direction. “It’s just not for me.”
“It’s not for anyone,” Hazel agrees, but we both know she loves it there. Hazel lets go of my arm and dances down the street. “Oh, yeah. You’re going to be a nanny. You’re going to fuck your boss.”
Her song continues as we make our way home. I laugh, and once again, I’m grateful to her. This time, for helping me forget my run-in with Edgar.
* * *
The next morning Hazel wakes me at the crack of dawn.
“Why are we up so early?” I grumble as I roll over and away from her.
“Today is interview day, and we need to get you all sexified.”
“I don’t think I should go to an interview looking sexy.”
“Hot. Single. Dad.” She enunciates each word. “Need I say more?”
“You shouldn’t have said it to begin with,” I groan.
I’m barely awake when she drags me into her room and tosses dresses at me that are more appropriate for a nightclub than a job interview. She lifts a dress, covered in sequins and so short, my ass would hang out the bottom of this.
“This is the one,” she exclaims.
There’s such certainty in her voice, I double over in laughter.