Every Last Breath - Jessica Gaffney Page 0,6
play with couponing or advertisements. She wanted to get in and get out. Her mother told her she shopped like a man, and in a way she did. Eli had always been her errand buddy, since his father refused to bring a stranger into their home (I don’t get what this has to do with shopping). Jack didn’t trust people. In a way, neither did Maggie, though she hadn’t always been that way.
She lugged the forty pound bag of dog food bag off the shelf and placed it on the bottom of the cart. “Eli.”
“Over here mom.” When she looked up again, he had a chewy squirrel toy in his hand. “Can we get it for Vala mom?”
Maggie’s heart sank.
“Maybe another time sweetie. Right now Vala likes to exercise outside.”
“But it’s not for exercise mom. It’s for her teeth and to keep her company when we are gone.”
She pointed to the rack and asked him to put it back. He frowned, and Maggie stole a sip of his Slurpee hoping to reengage him.
“Eli, what are you going to get Thurston for his birthday party tomorrow? We need to get him a gift.”
His eyes lit up, “I know, the new Lego set with the dragon and tower.”
Maggie shook her head, “That’s a very generous gift, but let’s pick something his little sister won’t choke on. How about a football?”
“Okay,” Eli said, as he led the way to the sports aisle. “But who’s going to throw the ball to him. He doesn’t have a daddy either.”
Maggie’s heart stopped. “Oh.”
She hadn’t realized that Eli was talking about his dad. “How do you know that sweetie?’
“Because we drew pictures in class and he has all ladies in his.”
“I see.”
Maggie made a mental note incase his mother had a wife.
The remainder of the trip played out with a sour faced boy and a very remorseful ride home. Whenever the subject of dads came up, the conversation was vexing. Mainly because Maggie never knew what Eli was thinking. That feeling nagged her the rest of the night.
When dinner was over, Maggie put on her pajamas and made popcorn her little man. This was the type of Friday night date she lived for— just the two of them, at home, snuggled in as the temperature dropped.
Maggie pulled the metal shower rings across the pole and reached for her peach towel. She loved the color of spring and you needed it up in the mountains. The only hints of color she’d see were the flowers in the Franklin County Store, not exactly the floral arrangement center. She loved the wild flowers, even planned on taking Vala for a stroll through the field in town, once it warmed up. But for now, her towel would have to do.
She turned off the exhaust fan and leaned out the door to check on Eli. Her head tilted as the Skreeeee, skreeee, skreeeeching noise pilfered through damp air. The noise cut through her like a hangover headache. “Eli what was that?”
She pranced out of the bathroom in her robe.
The boy froze with both hands behind his back. “Eli, what was that noise?”
“What noise mommy?”
“Young man, don’t play games with me. I asked you a question.” His frown gave it away. “What’s behind your back?’
“A chew toy,” He said wondering what to say next.
“Give it to me.”
He lumbered slowly toward her with his head down.
“Honey, I told you no. And we didn’t pay for this.”
“Yes you did,” his eyes glowed. “I slid it over the scanner when you bent down to get the dog food.”
Maggie paused. Was that even possible? “You did what?”
“I couldn’t help it momma. Vala has no toys. I think it makes her sad. I knew she’d love this toy.”
Maggie looked at the dog. Vala was clueless about the dog toy. She moved back to the kitchen and got the receipt out from her purse and sure enough, there is was, $7.99 pets.
The dog sat on her bed, waiting for Maggie to direct her. Eli held out the toy and eagerly pressed the dog, “Here Vala. Here girl.” The squeak was incessant.
She watched as Eli tossed the toy to the dog. Vala looked at Maggie in a clueless manner. Eli tried again. When the dog failed to respond, he called her and threw the toy toward the front door. Vala didn’t move. He walked back, and waved the toy in front of her face. Maggie felt sad. Vala, as beautiful as she was, would not retrieve the toy.
Eli put it