Page 58 of Wire

“What’s your favorite dinosaur?” Chewy asks with suspicion.

“Ankylosaurus,”

“Second favorite?”

“Parasaurolophus,”

Chewy’s gaze finds mine. She narrows her eyes and nods approvingly at me before looking back at Jovie.

“We’re gonna get on well, kid,” Chewy tells Jovie, who couldn’t really care less as she smears maple syrup across her cheek.

“Ooookk, well, now that Chewy has bonded with Jovie, let’s get this show on the road, ladies! We have shopping to do. Jovie, you’re coming with us for some new clothes and bits and pieces and then Mama Debs will bring you back here for a rest, OK?” Ana announces.

“Wait, what are we doing after Jovie’s shopping?” I ask.

“We’re going shopping. Me and Nat need stretchy underpants to accommodate our growing bellies and asses, and you need a new wardrobe befitting of the badass you now are.”

“What about Hammer?” I know he’s still out there, and I’m wondering why the heck we’re being allowed out instead of on lockdown until the threat is neutralized.

“Tombs Security is on the job. Because they can’t possibly let us traipse the streets without big manly men.” Chewy says while rolling her eyes.

Ana snorts because we all know that of everyone in this room Chewy is probably the most dangerous of them all.

Mama Debs comes bustling over with a cloth to clean Jovie’s hands and face and then does the “Chop Chop” motherly thing to get us all moving into the SUVs. I help Jovie into the car seat that somehow materialized, before getting in the back with her, Sunny next to me and Nat in the front with Gus. Pops is bringing up the rear with Mama Debs, Ana, and Chewy. Jules and Tav are on their bikes and we make quite the imposing convoy as we ride to the big box store on the other side of Rose Grove.

Piling out, we grab trolleys and lead Jovie to the little girls’ section. Instead of going wild like most kids her age, she freezes in place. Tears building in her eyes.

“Jovie, sweetie, what’s wrong?” Kneeling next to her, I gently stroke her hair from her face. I notice Mama Debs had brushedit this morning, but given the texture of her hair, I suspect she probably needs some good shampoo and treatments and maybe even a protective style. I make a note to ask Wire what I should be doing to care for it.

The rest of the ladies gather around me and Jovie. Well, all bar Chewy who has wandered off and is currently opening and sniffing jars of silly putty.

“I, I don’t have any money. I don’t know where my daddy and my momma is. Who will buy my clothes and look after me?” Her large dark eyes stare into mine and I pull her into my arms. I can’t answer just yet, my throat is clogged up. If I ever get my hands on her father, I’m going to take his balls.

The girl gang feels the same. I can tell by the murderous looks on their faces. Well, all of them except Chewy, who is now opening packets of fidget toys.

“Where do you want to live?” She asks, not even looking at Jovie.

Jovie looks at me, her lips wobbling before whispering, “I want to live with Miss Remy and Mr. Wire.”

A smile grows over my face as I squeeze her tight..

“And it shall be so, child,” Chewy says with a flourish like a small, murdery fairy godmother.

Pulling back from Jovie, I wipe her little face. “Right, so that’s settled. Ready to get some new clothes and some stuff for your bedroom at the clubhouse?”

She nods her head emphatically before taking mine and Sunny’s hands and leads us to the kids’ section, packed full of clothes, toys, and stuff for Chewy to touch.

After a solid hour of buying everything that Jovie sets her heart on, Pops arrives to escort Mama Debs and Jovie home while me and the girl gang decide to get a bite to eat and coffee before moving onto the next phase.

“Are you serious about keeping Jovie, Rem?” Sunny asks, settling her big sister gaze on me.

“You’ve seen her and spent time with her. She’s a sweetheart who drew the short straw. She needs this, and I-I think I need her.” I stare at my sister, her eyes identical to mine and our father’s. I let her see everything I can’t verbalize.

She stares at me before blowing out a breath. “Yeah, I see that now. She’ll heal that timid little girl inside of you, and you’ll help her find her voice.” Sunny nods, leaving it at that. She’s accepted it and now she’s moved on.

“And I’ll help with her papers. By the end of the day, you and Wire will be the proud parents of one little girl.” Chewy says, before taking a very loud, long chug of her water.

“Yes, she drinks like a toddler.” Ana says to us all before turning back to her sister-in-law. “What do you mean by ‘I’ll help with her papers’? What papers?” Ana asks, eyes narrowed at Chewy.