The next day, using the years of skill I acquired, I casually touched over fifty boys while Beatriz hovered close by. At first, we started random. Then we moved to specific targets. A few I just shook my head and wouldn’t give any explanation. For the most part, the images of my possible futures invoked more heartache, which for the purpose of the exercise was good for Beatriz.
Touching one boy started me crying. He reached out to pat my arm in sympathy without even knowing what started the tears. With him, I saw six beautiful girls. I wouldn’t let him die alone, not after losing Morik. I set it up to go with him leaving six girls all under the age of eight with my mother and Aunt. The largest number of children yet.
By Friday, I begged Beatriz to let me alone. She conceded… for the weekend.
With relief, I went to work Saturday morning. Mona welcomed me back, officially, with a smile.
Beatriz and Brad came in just after one. Their parents were once again out of town and Brad planned another party. Neither would accept no for an answer. Beatriz, promising to return me home, before dark coaxed me into Brad’s car.
Dressed in work clothes, I went along thinking I’d help them prepare like I’d done before. Only, the party was already in full swing when we arrived with Tommy running the bar. He looked at Brad with relief and pulled Beatriz and me to the air hockey table. Beatriz, in her element, started challenging others. Rudely.
When she returned me home just before dark, she waved good-bye with a promise to see me the following day. Everyone waited for me inside, ready to chant me to sleep.
* *
True to her word, Beatriz and Brad walked into the Coffee Shop five minutes before close.
“Save me,” I whispered to Mona.
She gave a small laugh. “No way. She was lost without you for that week. She came in three times asking questions and planning.” Mona abruptly stopped talking and looked at me with worry.
I smiled weakly. “Don’t worry. I know what she’s doing,” I assured Mona. “I love her too much to tell her to give up.”
Mona grew serious, following me in back when I went to restock the sandwich containers. “I don’t know what went on with you and your man,” she held up her hands, “and I don’t want to know. But seeing how it affected you, how you looked when you walked in here last week compared to how you are now… she did what needed doing.”
Beatriz came back, interrupting our conversation. “Hurry it up, slacker,” she grinned. “Brad’s taking us shopping.”
I groaned and started slicing tomatoes. Slowly. It didn’t matter. When it came to shopping, Beatriz had plenty of patience.
Thirty minutes later, we sat in the car heading to the mall.
Brad and Beatriz kept up a teasing conversation about the party the day before. Tommy had defiled Beatriz’s room again. She refused to speak to him.
“Did he clean it up?” I asked from the backseat.
“There wasn’t anything to clean up,” Brad said with a laugh. “Tommy just fell asleep in Beatriz’s bed, the only place in the house where he knew no one would bother him. He wasn’t feeling well.”
“What’s wrong with your room?” she demanded.
He shrugged.
“Where did you end up sleeping?” I wondered as Brad pulled into the parking lot.
“In my bed. I managed to shove Tommy to the floor, but he was too medicated to move him any further. I’m just glad he didn’t snore.”
I caught something in her tone that gave me pause. Perhaps I needed to take a peek at Tommy.
She led the charge to her favorite store. Brad sat outside the dressing room with me to give his opinion.
“So is Tommy a good friend?” I asked while we waited for her to emerge.
“Yea, we went to high school together, but didn’t really walk in the same circles. I really got to know him this year. We both picked the same university without knowing it and ended up across the hall from each other.”
Beatriz opened her door turning for us to admire her outfit. When she ducked back into the dressing room, I turned back to Brad to continue my questioning. “Is he seeing anyone?”
Brad’s eyebrows rose an inch. He cleared his throat uncomfortably before shaking his head. I took pity on him and stopped talking. If I could find someone for Beatriz before my time ran out, I’d feel better about leaving. Mom had Stephen. Aunt Grace didn’t want anyone. Her car made her happy. Gran had Aunt Danielle and the widow down the road. I just needed to solve Beatriz.
The more the idea tumbled around in my head, the more merit it had. A boyfriend would do more than keep her company. He would distract her. I could see her crazy determination intensifying as my birthday approached. It would only be a matter of time before she outright suggests I start looking for a replacement. I knew that was her intent behind me “looking” for her. Yes, she needed a distraction.
I sat beside Brad for twenty minutes struggling to contain my agitation. Sitting at the mall shopping hadn’t been my idea of fun before… I swallowed audibly.
“Ready for a break?” Brad asked beside me.
Since bringing up Tommy, he’d kept to himself.
“Yes,” I whispered desperately.
“Bea, we’re heading to the court to get a drink. Coming?”