I wave to Delaney, denying the urge to walk over and tell her it’s me, I’ll keep her safe and have her back to her in an hour. But soothing Delaney’s anxiety isn’t my job anymore.
The drive is quiet, and I keep looking at her through my rearview mirror, but she’s staring out the window.
After I park, I help her out of my truck, and the door to Sprinkle Town squeaks on its hinge as I open it, and Leia steps inside, her gaze roaming every inch. During the summer, there’s a line out the door, but since school is still in, and it’s a weeknight, we have our choice of booths.
It’s seat yourself, and Leia looks at me to make the decision.
“You pick.” I hold out my hand, and she scans the room again.
She stops at the booth closest to the door. “Is this okay?”
I smile. “Perfect.” We both slide in, and I grab a menu that sits in the metal holder at the end of the table and hand it to her. “Do you have a favorite flavor of ice cream?”
“Cookie dough.”
“Has your mom brought you here yet?”
She shakes her head.
“You can pick the flavor ice cream you want and make it into a sundae. Then you pick the sauce, whipped cream, nuts or candy, and of course, sprinkles.”
She laughs since the entire place is decorated with sprinkle graphics.
“Do you have a favorite?” she asks, and her question spurs my happiness.
“Yup, but it’s kind of boring. Vanilla. But wait until you see how many toppings I get.”
She studies the menu again.
“Hey, you two. What can I get you?” Marge poises her pad in front of us.
Leia looks up, and Marge turns her attention to me.
“Marge, have you met Leia Moore? She just moved here not too long ago.”
Marge smiles. “I haven’t had the pleasure. I know your mommy though. Haven’t crossed paths just yet.”
Leia smiles softly, and I’m sure Marge is wondering why I’m here with Leia. The news will eventually travel around our small town. People will find out that the perfect marriage I made everyone believe I had with Kristie was a lie.
“What’s your pick, Leia?” I ask her.
Thankfully, Marge isn’t the nosey type. Sure, everyone in Willowbrook is to an extent, but she’s not going to go in the backroom and call everyone she knows.
“Cookie dough and hot fudge and whipped cream and double sprinkles please.”
“Good choice.” Marge jots it down. “I assume you want a cherry or two?”
“Two please.” Leia gives her a soft smile.
Marge taps the tip of her pen to the paper. “Got it.” She flips over the page of her pad. “Give it to me.” She looks at Leia. “He takes a whole page just for his order.”
Leia’s eyes widen. The fact they match mine stalls me for a second before Marge clears her throat.
“Vanilla, caramel and hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, nuts, Oreos, Heath bits, triple sprinkles both chocolate and colored.”
“Whoa, going light on me tonight.” She laughs. “Waters?”
“Please,” I answer.
