Chapter Twenty-Nine
LILY
It’s weird walking into Dickie’s as nothing more than a shopper. I worked here for so long. The only break was when I left for college. When I had to come back to take care of Blue, they put me back on the schedule. I was so grateful, I didn’t think I could ever quit. But now, I’m glad I did. I feel lighter. Able to make plans, guilt-free.
I don’t need to pick up a lot so I just grab a green basket and start down the produce aisle. A few avocados. Apples. Potatoes. At the meat counter, I grab a couple of steaks for supper. My new favorite meal. Apollo cooks them perfectly. I’m hoping he’ll teach me tonight.
Finally, I head down the pharmacy aisle to check the prophylactic supply.
They’re fully stocked this time. As I put the thirty-six count in my basket, I realize I’m going to miss my employee discount.
“Not a lot of men need the magnums. Lucky girl. Who’s the lucky guy?” The all-too-familiar voice of the stalker—I mean reporter—sets my teeth on edge.
“That’s none of your business,” I say as dismissively as possible.
“Or maybe we just don’t know how many men need them because not all of them show theirs off.”
What the fuck is wrong with this guy? Is he threatening to expose himself to me? I shudder at the thought.
“Please. Just leave me alone.” I try to lose him walking at double speed to the frozen foods section but he’s right on my tail.
“For example,” he says when I stop at the ice cream freezer. “Everyone knows Apollo Christensen needs them.”
I try not to react but I’m pretty sure the way I fumble the gallon of mint chocolate ice cream, as I put it in my basket, doesn’t go unnoticed.
“It’s true. Didn’t you know?” he asks.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just trying to finish my shopping in peace.” I sidestep to get around him but he steps with me blocking my way.
“He’s hid his previous identity expertly. No one can find record of his real name. But everyone knows it’s not Apollo Christensen. You see. Because that was originally his porn name.”
I lose my grip on the basket. The reporter snatches it out of the air. As he hands it back to me, he adds, “I see you know his favorite ice cream. Cute.”
I’m stuck to the floor. My world turning upside down making me sick to my stomach.
Apollo lied to me.
He had the chance to tell me when he told me about changing his name but he didn’t.
He should have.
Tears streaming down my cheeks, I toss my basket on the counter and run out of the store with Mrs. Turner calling after me, “Lily, darling. You okay?”
I ignore her. And the reporter’s eyes on me as I walk up Main Street to Boyd’s Bar to find my sister.
