Page 5 of Property of Indiana

“It’s nothing,” she says, waving me off. “It’s just a shock to see you after all this time.”

CHAPTER

TWO

ZOEY

I wishI could say it’s good to see him, but I’m not sure that it is. Everyone in town knew what happened to me since I had to be rushed to the emergency room and police reports were made. Even though I’m an adult now, when I look back, it blows my mind that the actions of someone else were heaped ontomyhead as though I was the one who was at fault.

“I haven’t run into anyone since moving back home, you’re the first,” I hesitantly admit.

“Why did you leave, Zoey? I looked everywhere for you.” We met when he moved here from West Texas where he was born and raised. He followed his best friend, Riptide, who I never met because we were all about each other and never let anyone else penetrate our bubble. He was nineteen and I was freshly turned sixteen. He and a few of his friends came into town riding motorcycles, causing an uproar. There was something about him that drew me to him and we became close. Kinda. He held a few things back from me, and it caused a few arguments becauseI was an open book with him—at least I was until that day. After the Halloween party from hell, I closed myself off from everybody and closed in on myself.

“You don’t know?” I ask, confused because everywhere I turned six years ago someone had some sort of snide comment. It was plastered all over Canton Times, seeing as it was the first gang rape reported in years. In this small, hick town, you don’t publicize it when the Onyx Dragons have their initiations. They were small time back then but they had connections in the police department which means things got buried.

“Know what, babe? All I know is that I was on a run for the club and came back in time for us to go on our first date, and you were nowhere to be found and nobody in this fucked up town would tell me where you were.”

“I was home, for a little bit,” I confess. “But I couldn’t face anyone outside of my doctor.”

“Why?” he presses, wrapping his arms around me and burying his nose in my hair. “Tell me why, Zoey.”

“I… I can’t talk about it. At least, not with my baby in hearing range,” I tell him. I’m not ashamed to talk about that night, I have had years under my belt of talking with doctors and therapists about what occurred. But Elodie, she’s innocent and doesn’t need to know that such evil exists in her world. I want her to enjoy as much of her younger years as possible because once she learns of her conception, that innocence will fly out of the window.

“Can we meet up later, Zoey?”

“I don’t know,” I shyly state, “I don’t have anyone to watch Elodie.”

“Not even your folks?” he questions.

“Most certainly not,” I snap, which has him rearing back and looking at me as if I just slapped him. Luckily, I’m saved by my baby girl and don’t have to explain my shift in attitude.

“We’re getting our cookies, Mama,” Elodie says, breaking into the conversation I’m having with Harrison. Or maybe he goes by Indiana now since that’s what I see stitched on his cut.

“Yeah, then we’re heading to the Disney store,” Icer adds. “You two stop looking so damn serious. Sorry, Elodie, for swearing. There’s fun to be had today!”

I see Harrison’s eyes widen at Icer’s words and know there’s a story there but I know if I’m going to stay incognito in town, I need to keep my nose out of it and not be nosey—which for those who know me understand how hard that is for me to accomplish.

We grab our orders from the clerk and follow the two new buddies as they skip through the mall with their arms still swinging between them as they sing Disney tunes. When did this become my life? My baby has made besties with a biker and the boy, who is now a man that I thought I’d spend my life with, has his arm tossed haphazardly over my shoulder. I’m surprised I’m not running from his touch, instead of it initiating fear inside of me, it makes me feel safe and protected.

By the time we’re done at the Disney store, thanks to Icer, my daughter now has princess shirts, several matching tiaras, as well as a stuffed genie to commemorate their impromptu concert. Icer paid for everything, even the outfits I picked out for Elodie, despite my protests. Harrison finally told me to keep quiet and let Icer have his way because it wasn’t something henormally did. I also saw Harrison frequently videoing Icer, so my curiosity is at an all-time high right now.

Just when I think we’re going to part ways so I can finish Elodie’s school shopping, I’m tugged into the Harley store and watch in awe as Icer carries my daughter on his shoulders, pointing out the kids wear section. “Um, Harrison, or Indiana, I don’t think she should have a bunch of leather added to her closet,” I contest. “She’s five, not twenty.”

“You can call me Harrison, unless we’re at a club function, then it’s Indiana. But there’s nothing wrong with a few leather jackets and a few Harley shirts to add to her wardrobe, Zoey. Let us have some fun. Yeah?”

“No,” I say, adamantly shaking my head. “You two have done enough. I appreciate it, don’t get me wrong, but she’s a girly girl, always has been and always will be. She likes dresses, and sparkly things.”

“Look Mama!” Elodie shouts, drawing a crowd. “It has… it has, what’s it called again, Icer?”

“Rhinestones,” he answers her.

Her giggles as Icer holds up sparkly T-shirts and tank tops are music to my ears, despite my reservations as to how this afternoon has panned out. “They’re sparkly and Icer said I can have it!”

“Oh shit,” I mumble, ducking my head. Now that he’s told her it’s hers, if I say otherwise, the entire store will hear my child lose her ever-loving shit and that’s not a pretty picture when she gets going.

“Elodie, baby girl,” I say, stumbling over my words as I scratch my head. “Wouldn’t you rather we go find you those dresses you were wanting?”

“No, I want these. Icer says they’re cool and I want to be cool!” she argues.

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