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I miss you so much. No one reads with me or makes sure I eat. The other kids don't like me. I just miss you, Jules. I hope it works out.
Love Lili.
I am moving in slow motion when I close the laptop dropping tears of fear, guilt and despair on the lid. My stomach clenches, full of bile and self repudiation at leaving her alone in a world that doesn't value her beauty and sweetness. I can’t let her go to a group home. I just can’t.
Face wet and snot running down my mouth I walk out of the office and grab a tissue. “Julep, what’s happened?” Harlan’s deep voice sends rumbles of safety through me but I don’t want to talk to him right now. I can’t. I just need to make it through tonight and then convince the mayor to find me a husband. I am hurting right now. Shaking, quivering on the inside thinking of my sister all alone, but I need to stick to the plan. I have to do everything I can for Lili. For our future. “Bunny, talk to me.” He is standing so close behind me I can feel his body heat. My heels rock so tempted to lean against him but I stop myself.
“Nothing. Just allergies.” I lie hoping even if he doesn’t believe me, he doesn’t push. His hands touch my shoulders and he turns me to look at him. My heart is now hammering in my chest knowing when I look at him I am going to want to confess everything.
“You’re lying, baby, but I get it. I don’t have a right to your secrets yet but I will.” He wipes the tears from my face. “Until then, let's go.” Why does it feel like I am following him somewhere other than to the store?
Chapter Seven
Harlan
“Do you like it?” We are in one of the department stores in Charleston and right now she is staring at this sweater dress that I want to rip from her hands and tell her over my dead body. We have been shopping for the last three hours and it has been a struggle getting her to accept anything. Every time she looks at something for longer than a minute I put it in the cart and keep moving.
So far we have several pairs of jeans, sweaters, boots, shoes, pajamas, a new scarf and hat, a new coat and some shoes. I got her few girly things as well like purses and such. I will save the makeup and stuff for her to take care of when the credit card I had the bank issue with her soon to be married name is given to her after we say our vows. You should have seen the fit she pitched when I realized she didn’t have a cell phone, computer or tablet. I took her to the apple store and got her everything I thought she needed. I thought the rabid bunny was going to brain me. Now that the sweater has been added to the cart, she has moved on to the dress department.
We are finally on the last leg of our excursion and she is looking at this silky white dress with stars in her eyes. I find myself staring at it as well, picturing it on her when she says ‘I do’ and envisioning myself taking it off her right after. I see her pick up the price tag, gasp and walk away from the dress. I don’t fucking think so. She is going to marry me in that thing and take my nut inside of her right after, dress still on.
I drop it in the cart and follow her to the register. As each item is scanned her eyes get bigger and bigger. “Will that be all for you today?” The sales girl asks, giddy and shit. I am sure I just made her commission for the year.
“Yes.” I slide my black card across the counter so the six hundred dollar tab can be paid. I watch my bunny and hold in my chuckle at her pinched face due to being unable to say anything about the price. That took some bribery but it is working.
“Very well. You both have a great day.” I take all the bags off the counter and walk behind her, my eyes tracking every jiggle of her luscious ass in these fucking leggings. We barely make it to the car before she starts her shit.
“You do realize you spent four thousand dollars today, right?” I simply ignore her and load everything into my Hummer and lift her tiny ass into the passenger seat. Leaning over her to fasten her seatbelt, I make the mistake of inhaling to soon and her fucking scent hits my lungs like anthrax. “I advise you to shut the fuck up, little bunny. I can smell your need for me, baby and it is fucking with my common sense. If that pink, sassy mouth don’t quit, we are both going to be fucked. Got it?” She looks shocked for a second before she squints at me and nods her head. Christ on a cracker midnight can not come fast enough.
