Page 7 of Watercolor Skulls

“No bed?”

“I’ll be fine. Tomorrow I’ll go into town and get what I need.”

She pulls her phone out of her pocket. “Let me call my husband. We have a bed at our old house. I’ll have him bring it over.”

My mouth falls open. This woman doesn’t even know me, yet she is going out of her way to make sure I’m comfortable my first night here. “Oh, I don’t want to be any trouble. I’m fine really.”

Her eyebrow cocks up. “I insist.”

I bow my head, letting her make the call.

“Hey, I need you to go over to the old house and pick up the bed in Rachel’s room and bring it over to the house on Windflower Road.” She pauses, chewing at her nail. “Yeah, I rented it to someone, and she needs a fucking bed, okay.”

My mouth opens to tell her I don’t need it, but she puts her hand up to stop me. I snap my mouth shut, admiring her strength. This woman is a force in itself.

“Tell Raffe to get off your sister and help or… I could call Jeremy and see if he can help me load it up.” She winks at me, a wicked smile playing out over her flawless face.

“See you soon, love ya,” she makes a kissy sound into the phone and then hangs up.

“The guys will be here soon.” She spins around, tapping the side of her head in thought. “We should get some cleaning supplies. Oh, and groceries. Have you eaten today?”

“Um, yeah.”

Her eyes run down my body as mine do the same to her. She is curvy in all the right places. I am too but my parent’s put me on a stringent diet so that I didn’t plump up any farther…their words not mine. In fact, the gas station turkey sandwich was the first meat I’ve had since my aunt was alive and to be honest, it’s not sitting very well. My hand rubs over my belly lightly, careful not to push too hard on my bruises.

“Let’s run into town.” She walks towards me and drapes her arm around my shoulders. My heart beats wildly in my chest. I bite my bottom lip to stop it from trembling. My Aunt Jenny was the last person to touch me…to really touch me. Jesse reminds me of her.

She guides us back out onto the porch, leaving the door unlocked in case her “guys” make it back before us. I’m tired but it would be nice to get a few more things done today. And, honestly, a bed sounds wonderful right now. I just have to keep going. If I stop…or rather when I stop, I’ll have to face the facts of everything that’s happened.

Jesse will be a good distraction.

Chapter Three

Jesse

???

Lily has a problem. I’m not sure what it is but it’s written all over her like a damn math equation on a white board.

Let’s start with her ride. It’s not plated which tells me it’s either stolen or recently purchased. Her demeanor indicates recently purchased.

Next, let’s take a close look at her person. Her nails are perfectly manicured, eyebrows painfully sculpted, flawless complexion, and last but not least her teeth are perfectly straight and blindingly white. Okay, so there’s all that going on but then add a cheap box of hair dye, phony nose ring and a god awful fake tattoo. Like what the fuck?

I can’t figure it out. I can’t figureherout. So, I simply need more time. Which is why I offered to take her grocery shopping. Well that and there’s something else.

She’s lonely.

I recognize it as I would a long lost friend.

She reminds me of a seed that blew out of a flower bed only to land randomly along the fence line. The seed is forced to watch the other flowers grow and bloom together in a mixture of texture and color. While the lonely seed sprouts unnoticed, without nurture, wilting in the summer sun.

I know because I’ve been there.

I watch her out the corner of my eye. She is timid, shy, but holds herself in a quiet, poised sort of way. Coming here, renting this house is big for her. It’s more than just a move, it’s spiritual journey.

“So, where are you from?”

“The west coast.”

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