Ask Me Why(15)

An acidic tang fills my mouth when I see the massive lollipop directly in our path. That fucking sign is a beacon for children. Good marketing? Sure. Doesn’t mean I have to be happy about the tactic. I bet Ollie could find his way blindfolded, but that neon monstrosity certainly helps. Prying him away is becoming more challenging by the day. Mary informed me, while wearing a Cheshire grin, that they’d visited Thicket almost daily this week. Seems my son hasn’t gotten over his latest obsession yet. Unlike his nanny, I was not encouraging this newfound infatuation.

My resistance didn’t stop Ollie’s determination. The moment I’d get home from work, the begging and fussing would begin. Thankfully, I was able to distract him with other preferable activities. We went to his favorite restaurant that has an arcade attached. I loaded up his game card and let him go wild. The following night I suggested a new cartoon that hit theaters, along with promises of popcorn and gummy bears. I took him to the pool with waterslides and a lazy river. Yesterday we brushed up on our bike-riding skills. I’ve been collapsing into bed each night utterly exhausted. Worth it? Absolutely.

Today is a different story. I wasn’t able to deter Ollie with the park or ice cream or even pony rides at a petting zoo. When his pleading started first thing this morning, I couldn’t say no again. The last thing I wanted was a repeat of last Saturday. Even if that means spending an hour in this atrocious sickly-sweet sugar pit. I can play nice with the shop owner. At least somewhat. Maybe I’ll hover by the door out of sight. I snort. Since when do I duck and cover? That isn’t my style in the slightest.

Man the fuck up, I scold. She’s just a chick.

But that chick is sinking her claws into Ollie. Braelyn would be a pitiful fool to even consider trying that shit with me. My bite makes grown men cower in the courtroom. If this woman has any sense, she’ll back off.

We reach the building and Ollie snuggles into my side. “Thanks for bringing me, Daddy.”

I suck in a sharp breath when my chest squeezes. The only soft spot left inside of me expands. This kid melts my stone-cold heart with a few simple words.

“Anything for you, kiddo.” And I mean that with every breath left in my lungs. I’d never put myself in this position for anyone else. I open the door and shuffle him inside. That annoying chime rings out, announcing our presence.

A cheerful voice greets us. “Welcome to… oh, hey! Great to see you, Ollie.” Braelyn’s perfectly straight teeth shine bright when she smiles at him. My body tightens for an entirely different reason. Fuck, why couldn’t she be a troll? Maybe my real problem is the unnecessarily long dry spell I’ve been under. I need to get laid.

Ollie shakes out of my hold and dashes toward her. “Hi, Miss Braelyn!”

“Hey, pal.” She passes over a colorful piece of taffy. “Got a new flavor this morning.”

The demand that she asks my permission burns on my tongue. I swallow it down, sure that Mary allows him to have free reign. Ollie’s little fingers make quick work of the wrapper. He pops it into his mouth and starts chomping away. There’s no point savoring it when he has a slew of other treats coming his way.

“Mm-hmm, it’s yummy. Bubblegum and uh, um, something else,” Ollie mumbles around the candy.

“Strawberry,” Braelyn supplies.

My son bobs his head. “Yeah, it tastes really good.”

She ruffles his shaggy hair. “Glad you like it.”

I silently observe their routine, already established and growing deeper roots with each passing moment. If I left, would they even notice? I won’t give her the satisfaction of testing the theory. Instead I choose to keep my distance and let them do their thing.

Rays of sunlight stream through the window and cast a rainbow reflection across the floor. My gaze is drawn to the simple pattern, the irony not lost on me. This place is anything but ordinary. I’m not even sure where to look first. There’s shit crowding every available surface. I glance at the crammed shelves and funky paintings. There’re stacks of books surrounding a rocking chair and a collection of lamps in the corner. The room smells like fresh flowers and sugary perfume.

It’s clear that most of her effort goes into the candy section. The confections are artfully displayed in a rainbow array of colors displayed along the wall. Every piece has a place, making the presentation very eye catching. No fucking surprise there. She might as well hang another sign or five. But I’ll give her a little credit. Based off Ollie’s stash, her supply is rather impressive.

After another quick visual sweep, I tune back into their conversation.

“I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me,” Braelyn says.

“No way! Never, ever. My dad just drives really slow.”

I gape at them. “Weren’t you here yesterday, Ollie?”

He glances at me over his shoulder. “Well, yeah.” His deadpan tone raises my guard. When did he get so clever?

“It was a joke,” Braelyn interrupts.

I widen my stance, preparing for battle. “Oh, really? I had no idea.”

Ollie glances between us. “You remember my dad? He was here with me once.”

While his attention is diverted, she glares at me. “Oh, yes. I sure do.”

“He took me all sorts of places this week. That’s why we were so busy,” Ollie explains.

Her mossy eyes search mine, a storm brewing in those green pools. “Is that so?”