He walked back to his cart, pushing it forward and turning right towards the diaper section. He could hear her soft footfalls behind him as she followed him back from where she'd just came, but instead of turning right again to go down the isle to where the Huggies, Pampers and "organic diapers" were, he turned left towards where the carseats and strollers were. There at the very end of the isle, on the right side, was a bunch of diapers by Parents Choice. Boothe glanced at the diapers in her arms, bent over and grabbed a box that was the same size but TRIPLE the amount what she had in her hands.
"It'll be under $20 when you get to the counter. If you need something cheaper-"
"No, no, this is perfect! Oh my gosh, I can't believe I never knew about these. They would of come in handy with my first son."
"How many children do you have, if you don't mind me asking?"
She'd placed the Huggies packages - wipes and pediasures down on the shelf that had carseats sitting on display and took the box from him, looking it over and reading all the facts. "Uh, two."
"Boys? Girls?"
She looked up at him, her eyebrows knitting together. "Boys."
He smiled, nodding. "Congratulations."
"Thanks.."
"You're welcome.. Oh, and here." He left his cart and the woman holding the box of diapers and headed down the isle to where most of the wipes were and grabbed a package of three individual packages of wipes. "I know they say buying the plastic container would be cheaper in the long haul because you can just buy the fillers, however - I personally am not a fan of the fillers because I think they get to .. wet I think is the right word I'm searching for, at the bottom and they end up being messier. Anyways, these are like Five bucks and some change at the front counter after tax. So if you were trying to also buy the pediasures you should have enough if you only brought $40 with you."
"A guy that knows how to budget." She smirked.
"I have a daughter. Had to learn fast, especially with how much I was making at the time."
This time she really looked at him and he think she liked what she saw, but he couldn't be sure and he wasn't one to make assumptions.
"I have to get going, but thanks.. for this. I'll definitely remember it next time I come through." She smiled at him and it nearly took his breath away.
'My god, does she know how beautiful she is?' All he could do was simply nod at her. He watched as she tucked the wipes under her arm, grab the box of diapers with the same hand and with her free one, she grabbed the case of pediasure before turning and leaving.
"Oh, uh, did you want me to help you carry those?"
"No thanks, I can manage." She flipped her hair over her shoulder before looking back at him with a full on grin and then she disappeared.
His phone rang as he was standing there staring down the isle as if he was waiting for her to come back. He reached in and checked this time before answering.
"I'm almost done Andie, I just got distracted.."
"Dad's threatening to BBQ Chicken."
"Hide the burquets and I think I just saw my future wife."
Andie snorted into the phone before hanging up.
Boothe shook his head, grinning, as he turned his cart, grabbing a box of diapers and wipes as he walked back to the sippycups he grabbed two that he knew Radha and Hailey would like based solely on the pictures and some baby snacks before heading to the self check out. As he was ringing up his items he looked up and saw her. She was flipping through a magazine as she waited for the cashier to finish ringing up the older gentlemen in front of her. And a thought hit him. He looked around until he saw one of the WalMart employee's walking around with the yellow vest on and waved her over.
"See that gorgeous brunette with the killer blue eyes in lane three?"
"Um, yes.." the Woman was trying to not smile.
"I'd like to pay for her items." He pulled out $100 and handed it to the lady. "And tell her to keep the change, okay?"
"Are you sure?! I don't think she has enough to even come near to half of this?"
He looked at her frowning until she shrugged and headed over to lane 3. He watched as the lady made her way over. As soon as she reached the cashier, he finished paying for his purchases, put the bags into his cart and looked up just as 'his future wife' turned and looked at him. He waved at her and winked before pushing his cart towards the exit.
"Why did I just wink at her?" He mentally smacked himself as he huffed air out of his nose. "Idiot."
He put the groceries in the passenger seat and floorboard and headed to Siddiq's babysitter's. Jessie was 15 and it made Siddiq feel more comfortable if Jessie watched Radha with her parents home in case of an emergency. Boothe didn't think his friend would have left his only child alone with someone barely a baby herself if it wasn't for the fact that Jessie could sell coal to a coal miner, and that she also was trying to save up money for her class trip to Washington D.C. Plus she came highly recommended from four or five other families she babysits for.
Once Radha was secured in Hailey's carseat, he turned to Jessie and paid her $50.
"Oh, Mr. Bosch! I only baby sat for a few hours. Mr. Patel only owes me $20."
"I'm donating for your trip to D.C."
She grinned widely and squealed, hugging him tightly before bouncing around. "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! EEEEEEE! I'm so excited! OH-EM-GEE! I can't wait to tell Katie!"
Boothe laughed, waited for her to be back inside her house before walking around his truck and climbing into the drivers seat. "Hello Princess Radha."
"Boo!" She giggled.
"That's right," He turned the truck over, buckled his seat belt and put his truck in gear. "You ready for some good food and good people?"
"Nomnomnom!"
"Alright then!" He pulled away from Jessie's house, turning left on the road he knew would take him to the highway so he could avoid downtown. He was right, Andie was over the moon he'd brought Radha with him. She toted her around on her hip the way a woman would a $5,000 handbag, but with a lot more love and care. Andie loved babies! But especially Hailey and Radha. And though Siddiq and Radha weren't blood related, they were family to the Bosch's.
"Radha, can you say Andie? Say Ann-dee! Say it! Say Andie, Radha!"
"She's only 10 months old, Squirt."
Andie rolled her eyes, "Whatever. She can still say it! She says lots of things already."
"Maybe she just doesn't like you."
Andie opened her mouth to say something back, but before she could he felt his Mother smack his arm.
"Ow, hey!" He laughed.
"Don't pick on your sister." She said, playfully glaring at him. "And please, help your Father. I don't want him near the BBQ pit. Or anything with a flame."
Andie giggled, turning to take Radha to the blanket she laid out on under the tree in the shade. "Yea, we don't want another fire started."
"Heaven forbid!" His Mother muttered under her breath as she sat a bowl of potato salad on the table. "How long do you think before Siddiq gets here?"
"Not sure, he said he was covering for an employee that didn't show up."
"His brother doesn't even pay him for doing this. He should have to cover for anyone!"
"Mom, it's family."
"I don't care. They take advantage of his politeness and love for them."
"I don't think it's that."
"You just don't think."
He knew she was referring to Amanda and Hailey, but he chose to ignore the jab. She was on edge. His Father had been diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago. They decided to attack aggressively and so far the treatment was working, but soon he'd have to have surgery and he could tell it was causing his Mother a lot of stress. Any surgery was risky, but his Father would have to have brain surgery. Removing the tumor could alter his personalty, it could make him forget who his family was. Who his Mother was to him. Boothe thought that's what scared her the most. Was having him be alive, but not him.
He sat the tongs down and walked over to her, taking her into his arms and hugging her tightly. "It'll be okay, Mom."
She hugged him back briefly, sighing. Then gently pushed him away. "Of course it will, but not if you Father gets any closer to the grill."
Laughing, Boothe saluted her, grabbed the plate of uncooked cabobs and walked over to where his Father had been inching his way closer and closer to the BBQ, a beer in hand. "Hey Pops."
His Father started, turning to look at him with look between guilt and surprise on his face before he broke out, what his Mother called - his heart stopping grin. "I was just about to come look for you. I think the TriTip needs to be turned over."
Boothe shook his head, laughing. He flipped the TriTips, then placed the 'bobs next to the meat on the grill. "So how's the truck coming along?"
"Bobbie said it should be done in a few days."
His Dad nodded, "Is she coming today?"
"She should be, yea. I think Sam and Nick are coming, too."
"Which one is she dating again?"
"Nick."
"And that's the rock star."
He turned and looked at his Dad before giving his attention back to the BBQ as he brushed the seasonings onto the kabobs. "What are you getting at Dad? That Nick isn't good enough for Bobbie? Because she'll throat punch you."
"Ah, I wouldn't doubt it. I just thought maybe you two would, you know, end up together."
Boothe threw his head back, laughing. "Me and Bobbie? Uh, no."
"Why not? She's a catch. You don't find many women that know their way around a engine and good taste in beer."
"Because she's like a second sister, besides I met my future wife today at WalMart."
"Oh?"
"Tall, legs for days, brunette and eyes bluer and brighter than the summer sky."
"Did you catch her name?"
"No, but it's a small town."
His Dad patted him on the shoulder before turning to go bother his Mother and sure enough there was a clatter from the kitchen followed by the sounds of his Mother dropping F bombs.
She was standing there, her head thrown back, staring up at the ceiling with one package of diapers clutched in her hands and three more, a package of wipes and some of the pediasure's laid on the ground at her feet. He heard her sigh and could practically hear her mentally counting back from ten. Man, was he having one of those days, too. He hung the sippycups back up before walking over towards her. He was just bending over to pick up the items she dropped, when she suddenly came alive and was bending over in a flash, slamming her head into his.
"OW! WHAT THE Fu--" she gasped. Her hands were pressed to her forehead, but her eyes pierced through to his soul.
He was rubbing the top of his head with his free hand, as he grinned up at her.
"Is this funny to you?" She frowned, looking around.
He wasn't sure if she was embarrassed or if she was just looking for a witness. The tension rolling off her was palpable and it put him on edge. This was a woman who did not trust people. No.. this was a woman who did not have much trust in men.
"Definitely not, I think I bobbed when you weaved kind of thing." He gathered up the rest of her things and stood, slowly, leaning back a bit as he did. "Bad day?"
She was still frowning at him, her bright bright eyes never leaving his face. "You could say that."
He nodded, pressing his lips together. When she held out her hands, he nodded smiling at her as he stacked the packages of diapers and wipes in her arms, placing the pediasure on top to help weigh them down.
"Thanks." She sighed, turning to walk away from him.
The thought of her leaving caused his stomach to roll, and suddenly he felt anxious about not ever seeing her again. He heard his voice speaking before he realized what he was doing.
"You know.. you could save a bunch of money if you just buy the store brand diapers."
"What?" She looked back at him over her shoulder.
'What are you doing, Boothe?' he asked himself as he smiled at her, inclining his head. "Store brand diapers. They're just as good, if not better in my opinion, but cheaper then Huggies."
"Seriously?"
"Yea, and I think the ones that WalMart has is compared to Huggies, but don't quote me on that one. Come on, I'll show you."
He hung up the phone, sliding it into his pocket before turning on his heel and marching inside, heading towards the WalMart Money Center. It didn't take him long to send the money-gram to Amanda, but when he tried to call her back to tell her it was sent - it went straight to voicemail. He shook his head, thanking the women behind the counter as he accepted his receipt, placing it carefully in his billfold before heading deeper into the store to the produce section. He stopped to grab a cart that was sitting in the middle of the walk way, and pushed it up to where the stand of pineapples were when his phone went off.
"I sent the money. I really hope you're using it for Hailey and not to get your nails done, Amanda."
"What?" A male voice replied.
Boothe pulled the phone away from his ear to look at the phone number before speaking into the mouth piece again, "Who is this?"
"Siddiq, who else would it be?"
He sighed, "Amanda."
"Duuuuude..."
"I know! You don't have to grill me, I know. What number are you calling from?"
"Your Mother's." He laughed, "Just kidding, I'm calling from my Brother's store. He called and asked me to cover for one of his employee's who didn't show up for work. So, I'm going to be late."
"And why didn't you just call and tell my Mother?"
"Because she is terrifying, okay?"
Boothe laughed, shaking his head. "Did you want me to pick up Radha before heading over to my parents?"
"Would you? Jessie is a good babysitter, but she is expensive."
"And I'm not?"
"No." Siddiq paused, laughing. "Because my Brother sells liquor, I can just get a 36 pack of beer for free. Costs me nothing!
"My ego is bruised."
"But your belly is full, and that my friend is the lesson here."
"Uh huh, sure, I'll pick up Radha after I leave WalMart. Andie will be excited to see her."
"Do you need her carseat?"
Boothe pulled a long breath of air in through his nose before answering his best friend. "No, Amanda said she's sick and she doesn't want to expose her to any other germs."
"And you believe her."
It wasn't a question, Boothe knew that. And it pissed him off, but it wasn't Siddiq's fault. He knew that, even as he gripped his mobile device in his left hand trying to calm himself. "What other choice to I have, bro? She's the mother of my daughter and we have to co-parent." He sighed, grabbing a pineapple with his free hand, he brought it to his nose to smell it. "I'm keeping the receipts and everything. All the texts are there. Once I have enough proof, I can file for sole custody of Hailey. Until then.."
"Yea, yea, I know. I just don't like her or how she's using my God Daughter against you."
"I don't like it either, but not seeing my daughter is a lot worse."
"Okay, okay. I can take a hint."
"Anywa-"
"Oh, I have a customer, I have to go. Text me when you're leaving so I can have Jessie have Radha ready to go."
"Will do."
"Hello my frr-.." And Siddiq ended the call.
He pocketed his phone, grabbed three more pineapple before heading towards the tomatoes. He knew his Father and he'd want fresh produce for dinner and for the salad his sister was going to make once he got there. He grabbed a four tomatoes, two onions (one white for cooking and one red - or as Andie referred to them as purple - onion for the salad), four bell peppers (two green, one red and the last orange - mostly for color), some carrots, celery, and some mushrooms.
As he headed to the meat department, he grabbed some skewers just in case his Dad lost the other ones as he usually did. He grabbed a couple TriTips, some pork and some steaks. And last minute, he grabbed a couple packages of all beef hot dogs. Knowing Siddiq was going to bring the beer, he grabbed some bottled water and some juice pouches. And since he was here he figured he should probably buy some diapers and wipes in cause he needed to change Radha. Jessie might be an exceptional babysitter, but she wasn't the greatest at packing a diaper bag. He was walking past the isle with sippycups when he stopped to exam a few, deciding he should probably buy a couple so that Radha and Hailey could use them when they were at his parents place. He was comparing a WalMart brand sippy cup to one made by a "top dollar company," when he heard a commotion behind to his right. He sent a glance in the person's direction, then did a double take.
Boothe stifled a yawn as he pulled into the parking lot of the local Walmart. Not yet a super WalMart as they've been promising the town for the past five-six years now, but still it's the only place in town that you can get everything in one place. Where he lived was technically considered a city, but those who were born and raised here called it a town. Everyone knew pretty much everyone and eventually everyone would hear about whatever the gossip mill had cookin'. If you weren't from here, well, let's just say most people would get lost if they didn't stick one of the three main roads, but Boothe loved his town. Sure it had it's fair share of lows, but it was home.
To be fair though, he hadn't ever lived anywhere, but his hometown. And he rarely traveled. Sure, he often talked about traveling after he graduated high school, but then his girlfriend told him she was pregnant so he immediately set out to get a job forgoing his scholarship to Collins College in Tempe, Arizona. He had no regrets, that little girl was his life and he would do anything for her. Unfortunately, both Boothe and his ex girlfriend were young and their personalities clashed often. Neither were emotionally or mentally ready to be a parent, especially his daughter's Mother. He didn't blame her for moving in with her own Mom for help, he was working all the time and had shut her out. He did regret doing so because her moving, meant that she took their daughter with her. Now he only sees her every summer and every other major holiday, as long as he paid her Mother child support.
He sighed out loud as he climbed out of his pickup, slamming the door a little harder than was necessary. She had that affect on him though. Hailey's Mother. She'd called him a little more than an hour ago asking him to send her some money. Said it was for Hailey, but he had a feeling it wasn't based on the fact that he asked her what she needed and he would send it to her Mother's house for Hailey which only got him a bitch fit from her. He was momentarily distracted from his inner monologue of curse words and what he'd really like to say to her when his cell phone started going off in his pocket.
He grinned as his sister's favorite song picked up just as he slid his finger across the screen to answer. "What do you want, squirt?"
"Squirt?! Uhg, seriously, Jesus?"
"Boothe. You don't call me Jesus."
"Everyone calls you Jesus."
"Not you." He chuckled, "What's Mom yelling about?"
"Dad left something in the oven instead of putting it in the fridge so it's stuck to the pan," she giggled. "When are you going to get here? I'm so bored and I miss you guys!!"
He sighed, frowning.
"Hailey's not with you, is she?"
"Amanda said she's sick."
"Don't wire her money. Just send her the stuff, that's what Daddy's lawyer said to do."
"Easier said then done. Look, I'm starting to sweat standing out here. Tell Dad I'll bring the TriTip and dogs, if he needs anything else text it to me. Once I leave the store I'm not going back in."
