What Lies Beyond the Veil(Of Flesh & Bone #1)(39)

Since that first time we played together—bout two weeks ago now—I ain’t had no chance to play with Bobby and Charlotte again. Either they momma be outside whenever they are, watching over ’em like they some babies, or Granddaddy and Nia be outside doin’ the same to me. But not today.

I watch, excited, as Granddaddy grabs his cane and his hat with the feather sticking straight up from the side. Hops in his Cadillac. And drives off after telling us he’s heading to the grocery store. This is the first time I’ve seen Granddaddy go to the grocery store in the three weeks since we’ve been in Lansing, so I don’t know how long it will take. But I bet it’s gon’ take a while, since Granddaddy’s so slow. Plus, the fridge is bout empty and only one frostbitten pack of meat is left in the very back of the freezer. And I heard Granddaddy say he gotta buy some extra special stuff for Fourth of July. I don’t know exactly what that means, cept tomorrow is a holiday and we need more food.

As soon as Granddaddy disappears around the corner, I run inside to check on Nia. I find her sittin’ in Granddaddy’s spot on the couch, watching Momma’s stories. The opening credits are still rolling, so that gives me at least an hour before Nia would come looking for me. Perfect.

I skip back to the room tryna look casual, then come back out holding my book in one hand and the little bag where I been keeping my rocks in the other. “I’m going outside to play!” I announce loudly, making sure Nia sees my book and rocks when she looks up, which I hope is gon’ make her think I’m bout to play alone.

“Okay,” Nia says, eyes still mostly glued to the TV screen. Before, it would’ve made me sad that Nia ain’t pay attention to me, or offer to come outside and play, too. But now I got my own friends. I don’t need Nia when I got Bobby and Charlotte.

I step out on the porch and look cross the street. The red front door is open, which usually means that Bobby and Charlotte are outside playing. I look around for they momma but don’t see her nowhere. Excited, I run closer to get a better look. I still don’t see Bobby or Charlotte, but then I hear Charlotte’s laugh. It sounds far away, but like it’s gettin’ closer and closer. Sure enough, Charlotte turns the corner and comes riding down the street in her wagon, with Bobby pulling her while riding roller skates. Looks like he might be new to the skates, cause he’s teetering and tottering, pulling Charlotte in wild zigzags down the sidewalk.

Once they get closer, I start to wave. Charlotte’s eyes light up bright when she sees me.

“KB!” Charlotte yells, causing Bobby to lose his balance. He falls down, landing flat on his butt. Then looks over at me and waves. I giggle and wave back, then stash the decoy book and rock collection behind a bush before crossing the street.

“Can you guys play?” I ask, once I’m standing on the sidewalk in front of them. Bobby grips the edge of the wagon to support his weight as he tries to stand up, but the wheels start moving again and he lands back on the sidewalk.

“Here,” I say, offering my hand, “you look like you need some help.” I try not to laugh, but as Bobby struggles to his feet, a small snort escapes from my nose. Charlotte hears it and starts laughing, too. Soon, all three of us are laughing so hard that we end up in a heap beside Bobby.

“Like my new skates?” Bobby finally asks once all the laughing stops, but that makes us laugh again.

“Yeah,” I manage to answer, “too bad they ain’t come with lessons!” We all laugh some more, then Bobby unties his laces and begins taking off the skates.

“Yeah, yeah,” Bobby replies, rolling his eyes. “Y’all are laughing, but I bet you couldn’t do any better!”

I stay quiet, cause I know he’s right. At least bout me. I ain’t ever tried to skate, and I bet if I tried now, it would be an even bigger disaster than Bobby’s.

“I bet I can!” Charlotte responds, always eager for a fight with her brother. Before they can get into it too far, I jump in.

“Hey, where did you guys just come from? Around the corner?” I point to the end of the street, where there ain’t nothin’ but green as far as I can see.

“Yep, we went around the corner,” Charlotte answers proudly. “There’s some more houses over there and even a little playground!”

“Really?”

“Yep,” Bobby takes over, “it has swings and two slides, and even a giant tire swing.”

“I ain’t ever rode no tire swing!” I exclaim. “Can we go?”

Bobby and Charlotte look at each other, then Charlotte lowers her eyes. “Well, we’re not really allowed to play with you.”

“Play with me,” I repeat. “Why not?”

“Well, our mom said—”

“Sure, we can go!” Bobby interrupts, loud. “Mom is having her book club, remember?” Bobby says this part to Charlotte, and she nods. “She said we can play at the playground until time for dinner. Let’s go!”

“But, Bobby!” Charlotte yells, as Bobby picks up his skates.

“It’s fine.” Bobby gives Charlotte a look that stops her from talking. She gets in the wagon and once Bobby has his skates back on, he grabs the handle. “Ready?” This time, he’s talking to me.

I nod, even though I ain’t quite sure what’s going on with Charlotte. Or Bobby, for that matter. But I ain’t seen the playground yet and this might be my only chance to go. “Ready,” I say, and follow Bobby as he alternates between pulling Charlotte and trying not to fall.