Page 44 of Nave
“Well, I was about to go to your father to have him kick your ass for shirking your responsibilities. Until I realized it isn’t yours.”
“Oh, that. I didn’t want to share her secret with you guys without her permission.”
“Eh, it’s fine. A baby around here would be fun. Okay. I’ll leave you two to talk. I have some chores to finish up.”
“Thanks for the tour. And the snacks,” I said, waving the basket full of eggs and fruit and veg on top.
“Just drop the eggs at my door when you’re done putting stuff away.”
With that, Kit was off, leaving me alone with Nave.
“I didn’t think you’d be by so soon.”
“I wanted to get you some essentials. But it looks like the girls are stocking you up.”
“Yes, but also… are those chips?” I asked, spying the bag poking out.
“Okay. Maybe lessessentialsand more about the fun foods.”
“Come on in,” I invited, picking up Edith to set her inside, ignoring the way my stomach twisted at not wiping her feet.
“How was your first night?” Nave asked, coming in behind me as Edith rushed up to the front of the motorhome to jump up into the passenger seat, turn in a circle, and go to sleep.
“It was good. Edith and I crashed hard. Then we woke up to a gift basket—er, cooler—on the front steps.”
“Did you get some of Ariah’s mozzarella?”
“Yes! And tomatoes, bread, basil.”
“Like the universe was begging you to have a caprese salad.”
“On bread,” I agreed.
“On bread,” he said, setting the bags on the counter. “This is not quite so healthy,” he warned. Then he started pulling out items: a bag of chips, chocolate chip cookies, granola bars,sugar, instant oatmeal, and cereal. “This is a little better.” Milk, creamer, pasta, rice, and other pantry staples followed.
He followed my instructions on where to put things, but there were still a few bags leftover when he was done.
“What’s all that?”
“Non-edible necessities.” He pulled out a pack of socks, underwear, shirts, shorts, and pajama sets. Not a single item in the bunch was the color white. “You’re going to need more than this, but I figured this would hold you over while you settle in. Then we can maybe talk about hitting a store. Getting you anything else you need. Or want.”
“I’m sure this will be enough to—”
“Babe,” he cut me off, shaking his head.
“Okay. I might needonemore set of clothes,” I conceded.
“Well, for the time being. But within a few months…”
“Oh, right,” I agreed. “I need a job.”
“Let’s not worry about that now.”
I couldn’t do that, though.
Life cost money.
That was just a worldwide truth.
