Page 82 of David's Chase

My hair is pulled back into a bun hidden inside my hoodie. No trace of makeup on my face.

“What are you doing here?” Terry asks.

“I finished classes and wanted to buy some food.”

I gesture over my shoulder, mistakenly pointing toward my new car that is hard to see from where I stand instead of the grocery store.

She looks at the parking lot, disoriented.

“No. In that direction,” I say, smiling, pointing to the store this time.

“Are you on foot again?”

“No.”

Her eyes come to me.

“I mean, yes. Yes, I am. I wanted to buy some peanut butter and a loaf of bread and then catch the bus.”

She sighs.

I’m sure that is a frustrated sigh.

“Get in the car,” she says.

“No, no,” I protest. “I don’t need to. I’ll be in and out.”

“Get in the car, Elizabeth.”

Oh, shit.

This is the last thing I need right now.

I’m tired, and my mother picks me up, so I’ll have to come back and collect my car.Not to say that I’m expecting a phone call from David tonight.

Sexting doesn’t quite work for us, but we pretend it does. And it doesn’t pay that much––according to him.

Regardless, I said yes to his request for phone sex.

I have nothing against it.

I love hearing his voice and seeing him.

We’ve done this twice since I returned, and it’s okay. I love to see him more than anything else.

Maybe I love it too much.

But there’s a problem with that.

It’s unexpected visits and changes in my schedule like this that can create a problem.

If I am to go with my mother, I should be quick.

“All right,” I say, sliding the car door open, dropping my backpack in the back seat, and claiming the spot next to her in the front.

“What else would you like to eat?” she asks, and I go quiet for a few moments.

“Liz?”

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