Page 6 of Strength

Chapter Three

Olivia

I started my shift at midday, which meant I would have to pick Charlie up from school during my break. I hated these shifts. I much preferred the day shifts as it made things so much easier for Charlie and me. But my boss didn’t care that I had a son to take care of. I worked when he wanted me to work or I didn’t work at all. So, I would pick Charlie up and drop him home where he would stay on his own until I finished my shift.

He knew the strict rules about not answering the door to anybody, except Latisha, my next-door neighbour. kept an eye on Charlie for me when she could, but otherwise, he was under strict rules to stay inside until I got home.

It was a less than ideal situation. My son was young, and I worried constantly about something terrible happening to him in my absence. I especially worried about being found out. Because if I got found out, Charlie would be taken from me.

Leaving him alone while I earned a living was one thing—it was an unavoidable situation—but leaving him on his own while I went on a date was out of the question.

I was relieved to see Rea was on today. She was working the deli with the brand-new meat slicer that arrived that morning. Though I was working in the bakery section today, when Dale took a cigarette break, I covered for him.

“Hey, Rea.”

“Hi, how are you?”

She was polite enough, but slightly guarded. I guess I couldn’t blame her after the lukewarm reception I’d given her yesterday.

“I’m okay. I wanted to apologise for the way I was yesterday.”

“It’s no big deal.”

“I’m so protective of my boy. I’m no helicopter parent, but I haven’t been apart from him since he was born, except for work and for him to go to school. I know nothing would happen to him with you, of course, but . . ..”

“Your protective mommy instincts kicked in?”

I nodded.

Rea’s face warmed. “I get it. So, you want to set up a playdate after all?”

“Yeah, I think that would be awesome.”

“Me, too,” Rea said with a smile.

I took a deep breath and blew out a sigh. “Would you be open to having Charlie sleepover? Say, this Friday? I um . . . I have a date. For the first time in six years.” This was a huge step for me. I liked having Charlie near me to keep him safe. But I had a feeling Rea would also keep him safe. It was a huge gamble, but it was one I was willing to take.

“Oh, wow! That’s a long time to be alone, Liv.”

I shrugged, feeling overwhelmingly self-conscious.

“I’d be more than happy to have Charlie for the night. You need to get laid.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know if that will happen.”

“You should make it happen.”

“The last thing I need is another whirlwind romance in my life. The last time that happened, I ended up pregnant, scared, abused, and broke.”

Rea pulled a face. “Who said anything about a romance? I’m talking about protected sex. A one-night stand. Six years without sex is a long damn time, girl.”

“You’re right, it is. I guess I’ll have to see how things go.” I wouldn’t be hedging my bets, though.

“Well, my answer is yes. Charlie is more than welcome to come for a sleepover on Friday.”

We quickly parted ways and I began to serve a customer when we saw the boss strolling our way, straightening things up as he went. I grew concerned when he floated around behind the customer. Had he caught me and Rea talking?

I handed the customer her packages and thanked her for her patronage.

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