I shake my head.
This is obviously the result of a cocktail of bad medical news, the emotional whiplash of Andrew's kiss, my crumbling vision, and
maybe some residual stalker fears I picked up from Mitchy's Brandon dilemma.
"It's just a car," I scold myself. "There's no one in it, and even if there was, they do not give a damn about you."
But it does decide things for me.
I sigh, shoulder my purse, and start trudging right.
Over the river and through the woods, to Mother's house we go.
★★★
"Hello, boys." Rowdy drawls when I lower the car window. His breath is rancid with menthol cigarettes. "Fancy seeing you here."
"With the day I've had," I growl, "I shouldn't be surprised you'd show up."
"Aw, is someone in a bad mood?"Rowdy asks in a baby-voiced sing-song.
He reaches out to pinch my cheek, but I smack his hand away before he gets close.
"Don't fucking touch me."
"Testy, testy." Rowdy's attention shifts to Carl.
