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And I still haven’t told Sierra.
* * *
All the madnessof my day vanishes when Molly races toward me with a glowing smile on her face.
She jumps up and down. “I can’t wait for us to go shopping today! Mommy said I can get new clothes.” She stops and claps her hands. “She said we can look at American Girl dolls, too! I’ve wanted one for forever and ever.”
I had Jessa meet me at a gas station twenty minutes out of Blue Beech. She smiles and gives me a hug when she sees me. I grit, patting her shoulder, and pull away as fast as I can.
“Do you think she can ride with me?” I ask.
“I thought we could ride together,” Jessa says.
“Yes!” Molly squeals. “Let’s all ride together in the cool car!”
I groan, covering my face. “All right. We’ll ride together.”
Fuck my life.
We pack into the Camaro, and as soon as I turn the radio on to get through this hell of a ride with her, Jessa leans forward and changes the station. I’ve never been so annoyed with someone. Spending time with Molly is supposed to be fun, but Jessa is driving me nuts, and I haven’t even pulled out of the parking lot.
The good to come out of Jessa’s music changing is Molly starts animatedly singing in the backseat.
I check my phone when a text comes through.
Cohen: I still vote you tell Sierra.
I groan.
“Is that your girlfriend?” Jessa asks. “It’s not safe, texting and driving,especiallywith our daughterin the car.”
I drop my phone in my lap and clench the steering wheel.
God, why are you testing me?
When Jessa realizes I’m not going to talk about Sierra, she stretches her legs out and sighs. “Molly needs some clothes, and she asked for an American Girl doll. Do you mind paying for them?”
I shake my head. “That’s no problem.”
She nods. “We’ll need to figure out child support payments, too.”
I nod. “I’ll call my attorney and have her get in touch with you.”
She bites into her lower lip. “I’m broke, Maliki, so the more you can help us, the better. I was a stay-at-home mom, and now, without Pete, I have no income.”
I don’t mind supporting Molly.
“Start looking for a job then,” I remark.
“As soon as she starts school, I will. I want her to make a smooth transition.”
* * *
I buyMolly four new outfits, new tennis shoes, and an American Girl doll.
We grab lunch in the food court, and Molly holds my hand and skips as we walk out to the parking garage to leave.
“You know what would be fun?” Jessa asks.
