Chasing Rainbows A Novel - By Long, Kathleen Page 0,24
some crazed beauty-kiosk attacker who’d been banned from the mall for life.
I stood at the entrance to the food court and realized two things. Every young girl sitting around gabbing with her friends and sipping soda looked exactly like Ashley, and I hadn’t eaten in forty-eight hours.
Famished suddenly, I scanned the menu signs above the sea of food counters, looking for that perfect something to fill the empty pit in my stomach.
Salads, no.
Smoothies, no.
I wanted nothing good for me. Not now. Probably not ever.
My gaze landed on the Taco Bar and I made my move, walking confidently toward the line of people waiting to order. I forced myself to look straight ahead and not nervously over each shoulder as if the mall security guard posse might move in at any second.
As I took my place in line, I studied the menu carefully. This wasn’t a selection to be made lightly. After all, this was the first meal of post-divorce-papers life. And then I saw it.
The super-sized taco deluxe.
My stomach growled so loudly the woman in front of me grabbed her child’s hand and stepped between us, like a mother bear protecting her cub from the hungry wolf.
I rolled my eyes.
Several minutes later, I’d just taken my first bite of perfectly seasoned meat, lettuce, tomato and soft taco when I heard footsteps snap to a stop at close range. Unless Ashley had taken to wearing combat boots, this might spell trouble.
“You.” A voice boomed behind my left ear.
I spun around, almost spitting out my food when the recognition set in. The security guard who’d apprehended me at the Rediscover You counter glared at me, obviously none too pleased.
I shifted the food into my cheeks and stammered incoherently. “This isn’t what you think.”
He frowned, obviously unable to understand a word I’d said. My mother had always warned me about stuffing my mouth so full of food I couldn’t talk.
The guard hoisted his walkie-talkie to his lips. “I need backup at the Taco Bar.”
Ashley appeared in my line of sight and broke into a jog, no doubt realizing the sight of her aunt faced off with a security guard could only mean one thing. Embarrassment. She skittered to a stop beside me.
“I’m just picking her up. Honest.” I swallowed my food, tossed out the rest of the taco, put my hand on Ashley’s back and pushed. “We’re leaving now. No need to call in the guards. Minor misunderstanding. I didn’t realize banned included the food court. Scout’s honor. Have a nice day.”
Ashley giggled and I picked up the pace, forcing her to trot along beside me.
“You look like one of those smash and grab guys they show on the news.”
So much for my illusions of celebrity chic.
“You keep it up and I’ll have them ban you, too,” I whispered.
Nothing struck fear into a teenager’s heart faster than the threat of being banned from the mall. She didn’t so much as make a peep until we were in the car, and even then her only words were those necessary to guide me to the party. She didn’t even roll her eyes or sigh when I imparted what I was certain were invaluable boy-girl party tips.
Ashley assured me she’d made arrangements for David to pick her up at the end of the night, so I headed home content I’d done my good deed for the week. I felt useful, when useful was something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
My only regret was tossing out the taco in my security-guard-confrontation panic. Live and learn.
o0o
When the phone rang at two o’clock in the morning, I was happily watching an old Hepburn and Tracy movie and eating a cold slice of pizza left over from the pie I’d ordered earlier.
The pizza did a slow roll in my stomach as I reached for the phone. History showed phone calls in the middle of the night rarely brought good news. This one was no different.
When I answered, Diane shrieked so loudly I had to hold the phone away from my head to keep my eardrum from exploding.
The hysteria level in her voice was higher than I’d ever heard it, and when you’ve known someone since first grade, that’s saying something.
“What’s wrong?” Fear now tapped a rapid beat in my chest.
“What’s wrong?” she repeated, her voice climbing even higher still. “You drive my daughter to a boy-girl party without permission and you ask me what’s wrong.”