Page 19 of Vile Emotion
“Little Ric.” I answer.
“Big Ric!” My son exclaims in my ear. “Still getting Juli?” He asks.
I don’t lie to my son much about what I want to do but there are things I keep from him. Such as why Juliana is in the home that he lives in and that she’s his mother.
“What did we discuss about her getting a nickname?”
“You said you didn’t like it and I said I did.”
I know he’s smiling at himself right now because he just gave me the ultimate Crowne answer.
“Alright then, miniature Crowne. I’ll give you this but not another.”
“Yes, Big Ric.”
“Ricky…” I call his name out and finally look away. I cover my face trying to hide the anguish on my face because of my next words. “I’ll be gone a few days or a couple of weeks, I’m sorry.”
It’s quiet for a moment. I haven’t been away from him since he was born. Not outside of working or him going to school.
I nearly homeschooled him, that’s how much I didn’t want to be away from him.
“S’okay, Big Ric. It’s to bring Juli home, right?” He asks in such a small voice, I almost break my resolve and leave.
“Yes, know that I would never leave you for any other reason.”
“I know. I love you. Uncle Cas is here to pick me up.”
“Alright. I love you, buddy. Call me later so we can do your homework together.”
“Alright bye, daddy.” He hangs up before I can say it back.
A delicate hand that belongs to Juliana’s, slides a styrofoam box and a water bottle with a coffee cup.
“And this is?” I raise a brow.
“I thought you’d be hungry and thirsty.” I glare at her for a good minute before I speak, dismissing her.
“See you when your shift is over.”
15
When I ran away, I momentarily forgot what I vowed to do and who I vowed to do it with. After running away, it all seemed moot because my son was happy where he was and I didn’t have to face Alaric’s death glares and threats each time I opened my eyes.
But… When he showed up, my mind started to race again, wondering if I did the right thing. After he dismissed me from giving what I consider our version of a peace offering, I marched back into the diner with a new purpose; to change things around.
Things seem to die down when Alaric is in his car and not hunting. There’s no other word for it but hunting. He’s not hunting for a fight, he’s hunting to eat me alive. One slip up and I’m done for. I saw it in his eyes the second our eyes clashed.
I risk it again and look to see what he’s doing but this time, I don’t see his car. My brows furrow because I don’t know if he’s gone for the day or if he’s gone until my 2 weeks are over.
“Order up, Juliana!” The cook, Jason yells out.
That snaps me back into reality and I turn away from the window then get busy with my tables.
BY THE TIME that I finish work, I’m so exhausted that I forget about Alaric as I pack up saying goodbye to everyone. He didn’t show up or anything else, which doesn’t give me relief because I know he’s going to pop up like he did earlier.
After cleaning up, we all head out as the manager closes up.
One thing I love and hate about a smaller town is the lack of bus service. I hate being out here alone but I’d rather be than anything else.
