“There’s a few ways we can test that theory out.” I wink at her.
She walks ahead of us with her list. I’m hypnotized by the sway of her hips, my skin turning hot with each step she takes.
“Go, go, go!” Cami honks her horn again to get my attention.
I take off after Lana, who is already speaking to the butcher. He smiles at her before shooting me a scowl. I’m quick to smile and wave, although my right eye twitches from how hard I fake the grin.
The rest of the shopping trip goes similarly. A few other people I recognize from my summers here give me a range of looks, varying from surprised to downright angry at my existence. By now, I should be used to how people treat me, but I’m not. It’s hard knowing everyone had a front-row seat to the lowest moment of my life.
You have no one to blame but yourself.
The only thing that saves me from walking out the door is Cami. I treat every aisle like a racetrack, making zipping and zooming noises as I gain speed and glide. She absolutely loves it. Between her clapping, chanting, and cheering, I completely forget about everyone around us. Even Lana cracks and ends up laughing when I create a driving obstacle course with some of the displays scattered throughout the store.
Maybe small towns aren’t the worst. I could never get away with this kind of thing at a busy supermarket in Chicago.
It isn’t until we get to the baking supplies aisle that Cami loses interest in me and our game. She climbs out of the cart and abandons me for Lana.
“Hey!” I call out.
Cami pokes her tongue out through the gap of her missing tooth before running off.
I roll the cart toward the two of them.
“What flavor do you want for your birthday cake?” Lana drops a bag of confectioner’s sugar into the cart.
“Chocolate!” Cami claps her hands together, making her wonky pigtails shake.
Lana grabs some baker’s chocolate chips and dumps them in the cart.
“When is your birthday?” I ask Cami.
She grins. “July 15.”
Turns out little Cami is a Cancer just like me.
No wonder you both get along so well.
“That’s on Saturday.”
“Yup.” She points to a set of birthday candles. “I like that one, Mommy!”
“Let’s hope I can get decorations delivered by Friday.” Lana throws the candles into the cart.
I check out the latest Dreamland princess and laugh. “You like Princess Marianna?”
“Yes! She’s my favorite.” She spins in a circle while pressing her clasped hands against her heart.
“I like her too. She was nice when I met her.” I wink.
Lana’s eyes widen and she shakes her head.
Shit.Was that the wrong thing to say?
“You met Princess Marianna?When?”Cami nearly rips my arm out of its socket from how hard she tugs.
I kneel in front of her. “When I went to visit my brother at Dreamland.”
Lana shuts her eyes with a sigh.