Page 73 of Worth of Waste

Theo’s gaze went back to the baby, and the black fabric he held in his hands. Silently, Theo reached out to grab the T-shirt Junior held, looking at the band emblem on the front of it. Junior still took shirts from his father to have as a sort of comfort to use during the periods Dino was gone. It helped to get the boy to sleep, and Karen needed all the help she could get.

Had he seen his brother wearing that shirt the week before?

Would he recognize it?

Just as fast as he’d looked over the shirt, Theo let it go.

“He likes trains?” Theo asked.

“He likes toys,” Karen replied quietly.

Theo looked at the baby again, but Junior was more interested in pointing at the window display. Still, Karen knew he was looking at the same damn thing that stared back at her every day when her son was sitting right in front of her.

Familiar eyes.

Familiar features.

Familiar.

“Have a good day, Karen.”

She still hadn’t confirmed her name to him, but he used it like he just knew.

Karen supposed he probably did.

Theo gave Karen and the baby boy one last glance before he turned away. “Sorry about bumping into you like that.”

“It’s okay, Theo.”

And just like that, Theo smiled, nodding once.

When Karen came out of the café, the owner of the toy store was standing in front of his window display. Once the man saw her, he waved her over.

Apparently, the display would be packed up and ready for her the next day.

“Pardon?” Karen asked the man.

“The boy’s uncle—he bought it for him. Said not to tell anyone, it’s a secret. I laughed it off, but he seemed pretty serious about it.”

Karen understood perfectly well.

Dino didn’t tell Theo a thing.

Theo didn’t tell Dino a thing.

Because in their life, not knowing was better.

Even if she didn’t like it, Karen would have to play along.

Dino

THERE was a change coming; Dino could feel it in his bones. Something was happening outside of his circle of people, something he probably wasn’t going to like.

And even if he didn’t know some of the things happening, like search warrants being served for some of his businesses, and employees of his being pulled in for questioning, Dino still knew. It was a sensation that had burrowed deep into his bone marrow, as though spikes had been driven into his bones.

Dread, he recognized.

The feeling was dread.