Page 18 of Justus
“It’stwisted, therefore it’s a pretzel,” Sadie defends.
“Bythat logic, a Slinky is a pretzel.”
“He’sgot you there,” Amber pipes up.
“Don’tencourage him,” Sadie giggles.
Afterwe eat, we stop at a bookstore and each leave with a few new novels. “You readmommy porn?” I tease Sadie, gesturing to the books in her hand.
“Theyaren’t porn! They’re romance. Something you would know nothing about.”
“Yeah,the bare chest and abs on the cover scream fairytale romance,” I snort. “Youdon’t need those books, I can show you romance.”
Amberlaughs and we make our way to a novelty store, where I make a surreptitiouspurchase while Sadie and Amber look through funny t-shirts. I still owe Sadiefor that whole colon cleansing thing and now, I’ve got the perfect revenge.Slipping my purchase into the bag holding my books, I join Sadie and hermother, who are now laughing at a wall of “marital aids” and massagers.
“Ifound something for you, Justus.” Sadie holds up a box that reads 9” PowerPenis Pump.
Thetwo women perusing the merchandise beside them try to hide their laughter.“Nah,” I reply, wrapping my arms around Sadie from behind. “I tried it before.They just don’t make them big enough. Busted right out of the last one.”
Theladies nor Sadie’s mom tries to hide their laughter this time. When we walk outof the store, Amber stops at a bench and takes a seat. “I’m sorry. I just needa minute to catch my breath,” she says, looking embarrassed. I’ll never understandwomen. She has a heart condition. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.
“Wecan rent a wheelchair, Mom,” Sadie says. “There’s a rental place just past thetoy store.”
“I’mnot going to be pushed around in a wheelchair like someone’s old granny.” It’sclear where Sadie gets her stubborn nature.
“Hangon a sec,” I tell them. “I’ll be right back.” Before they can argue, I head offtoward the rental place Sadie mentioned. I understand not wanting a wheelchair.I’d be self-conscious too if I had to use one. A scooter on the other hand, Ican show her a scooter can be fun, especially when she’s not the only onedriving one.
Theman at the counter hooks me up with two mobility scooters and even has anemployee drive the other one back to the bench for me.
“Whatare you doing?” Sadie asks when I shake hands with the boy and he heads back tohis job.
“YourMom is right. Wheelchairs suck. Now these babies have some power. Come on,Amber, I’ll race you to the department store. Sadie needs a new sexy dress.”
Amberlaughs and shakes her head, climbing onto the scooter. “I think you may havemet your match with this one, Sade.”
Sadieis gazing at me with a strange look, like she’s never seen me before. “What?You never saw a devastatingly handsome man on a scooter? Go ahead, stare allyou want. I’ll give you a moment.”
Beforeshe opens her mouth with another smart response, I scoop her onto my lap. Shesqueals as I take off, and her mom pulls up beside us, laughing.
Agroup of teenagers jump out of our way and Amber announces, “Move it or loseit, people! Handicapped crew coming through!”
Hermother’s laughter makes Sadie giggle into my ear. She tightens her arm aroundmy neck and holds on while we weave in and out of the crowd until thedepartment store appears in front of us.
Thesight of a jewelry store a few doors down gives me a crazy idea and I hop offthe scooter, turning to place Sadie on the seat. “I’ll leave you ladies to it.I want to grab a few things from the drugstore next door.”
“Needanother enema already?” Sadie taunts, and she and her mother dissolve intogiggles again like two teenage girls.
Oh,this woman is going to get it tonight.
Theyhead off to shop, and I sneak into the jewelry store. I’ve been accused ofbeing impulsive, but I’ve never done anything quite this over the top. Sadiemay want to string me up by my balls when the time comes, but I’ll risk it.
Watchingher with her mother the past few days has shown me a few things, the firstthing being how close they are. Even though she tries to hide it, I can feelSadie’s devastation at her mother’s decline. I’ve also seen how her motherlooks from me to her, then back again, hope and relief shining in her eyes. Shebelieves us. That’s so important because the third thing that’s become apparentis that Amber doesn’t have much time left.
Nothingwould make this dying woman happier than to know her daughter has found someoneto love her forever. And the best way to convince her of that is with aproposal and a big fat ring, right?
Thesaleslady gives me a disdainful look when I enter. Apparently, my worn jeansand plain black t-shirt don’t scream money. She glances at the man working withher, and he nods in silent acquiescence, plastering a smile on his face as heapproaches. At least he’s trying to pretend he’s happy to have me as acustomer. The joke’s on the sour faced old bat though. I may not look the part,but I’m not hurting for cash.
I’vesaved every dime I earned from dancing over the years, and trust me, that’s alot of dimes. A few years ago, I decided to try investing. I’ve always beengood with numbers and technology, and a few investments in upcoming gadgets andgreen energy projects paid off well enough that I’ll never have to worry aboutmoney again.
