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Chapter Seventeen
Olivia
“I haven’t been to a mall since before Charlie was born,” I said to Emmett as we walked through one of the local malls near his house. It was a beautiful, open air mall with Spanish-themed buildings and beautiful gardens. “The last time was when I was buying baby things for him.” I squeezed my son’s shoulder.
Charlie looked up at us from his wheelchair. “I’ve never been to a mall.”
Emmett maneuvered Charlie. “I can’t believe it. What did you do for supplies? Clothing? Toys? Furniture?”
“The supermarket I worked at had everything we needed, and I got a discount. The furniture came with the apartment and everything else was from a charity shop.”
“My mom is awesome at getting bargains!”
“Is she? Well, we’ll have to utilise her talents.” Emmett winked at me and I stroked his arm. “Look at you. Your eyes have lit up like a Christmas tree, Olivia.” Emmett tapped Charlie’s shoulder. “I think we’re going to have to watch her here, Charlie.”
“Yeah, we don't want her to go nuts or anything,” Charlie said with a snort.
I looked around the bustling area in awe. “I honestly wouldn’t know where to start.”
“What if we go toPottery Barnfirst? They sell good shelving units.”
“You’re such a man. Are you going to get your tools out and use your big, manly muscles to put them together?” I fluttered my eyelashes.
“Yes. Yes, I am. Do you know what else I’m going to use?”
“What?”
He leaned close and whispered, “Child labour.”
I gasped.
Emmett chuckled. “Don’t freak out. But I thought Charlie might want to help me kit out his room. What do you think about that, Charlie?”
“Yeah, that’d be awesome! We’ll get it to look sick.”
“Yes, we will. Good man.”
“Are mummies allowed?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
Charlie tapped his chin. “Hmm. You can do the decorating. To Pottery Barn!”
* * *
Not only did we go to Pottery Barn, but Emmett also took us to a toy shop and a book shop, as well. As we sat down at a café to order lunch, Emmett’s phone rang.
I glanced at the screen and his smile almost tore his face in two.
“Hey, Mom, how are you?” he said when he answered. “I’m great, thanks. Ah, out shopping. I know I don’t, but this is an exception. Hang on a sec, I’ll put you on speaker. I hate being rude.” Emmett set his phone to loudspeaker and placed it in the middle of the table.
“Can you hear me?” an older woman’s voice said through the line.
“We can hear you, Mom.”
“We?”
“My, ahh . . . friend Olivia and her son, Charlie are with me.”
“A lady friend? How long has this been happening?” Her suggestive tone was unmistakable.
