Safe and Sound(30)

“Are you okay?” She pointed to her chin.

“Fine.”

“Bob didn’t mean to be so rough earlier.” She trailed a finger up and down the door, eyes on her hand.

“I need to get ready for work.” Her words were stiff, dismissive.

Lana looked up. “Oh. Okay.” She turned to go. “We’ll get you paid back. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not.” What was the point?

Lola pulled her work clothes from her dresser. “Lola?” She paused, looked up.

Her mother’s lips trembled and her eyes watered. “Please don’t hate me.”

Lola clenched her teeth together, willed tears not to come, though they did anyway. She stood there, silent and still, until her mother left.

***

Roxanne was glaring at her again. Lola sighed and turned away, wishing a customer would show up, anything to keep her busy from Roxanne’s hostile looks and snippy comments. She could actually feel her burning hatred boring two holes in her back.

What did she have to be mad about? Lola was the one with fresh stitches in her face.

“How’s your face?” she taunted from two checkout lanes over.

“What happened to your face, Lola?” Dot asked.

“How’s your love life?” Lola returned, glancing over her shoulder. Roxanne’s eyes widened. Lola herself was stunned she had said such a thing back.

Dot laughed and clapped her hands. “Watch out, Roxie, Lola ain’t taking your crap no more.”

“My love life is fine,” she said in a voice that quaked.

Lola ignored her and checked out a customer.

“Too bad yours isn’t,” Roxanne continued when the customer was gone.

“Really? Considering your boyfriend was with me tonight and not you.”

Roxanne squeaked. Dorothy slapped a hand over her mouth, but the snort was still heard.

“You take that back.”

Lola looked at Roxanne. Her face was pale, her eyes red. She’d been crying. A lot. It wasn’t just fury that twisted her features, though there was that, but it was more. She was upset. Very upset.

“After you take tripping me back and my stitches. Not going to happen? Okay then.”

Roxanna’s hands clenched at her sides. She stared at Lola for a long time, imagining all kinds of mean things, Lola was sure. Out of nowhere she burst into tears and ran toward the break room.

Amazingly Lola didn’t feel good about stooping to Roxanne’s level. She sighed and met Dorothy’s gaze. “I feel bad.”

“Don’t you feel bad. I’m proud of you. Finally stood up for yourself.” She leaned over to Lola. “By the way, he broke up with her tonight.”

Lola’s stomach churned. Great. Now she felt doubly worse. On the other hand, it was about time for Sebastian to smarten up.

Roxanne didn’t return to work and a new boy took her spot. He didn’t know what he was doing and kept making mistakes, so at least the rest of the night went by fast as Lola and Dorothy continually had to help him.





9



The day had been too long and Lola was relieved when the cool night air touched her skin. The rattle of a loose muffler caught her attention and Lola looked over the parking lot.

The lot was empty, but a black Buick sat idling across the street. No.

“Lola.”

She whipped around, relieved and upset to see Jack. He stood near the door of the locked store.

Jack straightened, eyes trained on her face. “What’s wrong?”

The car was put in gear and headed for them. Oh, God. Panic shot through her. She clutched his arm, felt his muscles constrict under her fingers. “You have to leave, Jack, you have to go.” He’ll hurt you. He’ll hurt anyone he thinks I’ll tell.

Lola inhaled sharply, shook her head. Where had that thought come from? And why did it make such sense?

Jack grabbed her arms, held them tightly in his hands. “Lola, what’s going on? Tell me.”

She heard the car slowly approach. Why was he there? Bob never picked her up from work. Never. Lola would be all alone with him, all night. He could hurt her. He could force himself on her. No one would be there. It would be just the two of them.

Sick with panic and fear, Lola stared into Jack’s eyes. “We have to go. Please. Please.”

He looked over her shoulder, met her eyes, and nodded. Jack grabbed her hand and took off at a fast jog.

Lola struggled to keep up. She’d never been very athletic and it showed in the cramp in her leg and the fire in her lungs.

An engine revved and the car sped up. Jack pulled her behind the building, into the alley. They zigzagged through yards and alleyways, intent on losing the tailing vehicle.

The headlights followed them. Lola had the insane thought, I wonder if this is how deer feel when they’re hunted down.