Page 61 of Jackass

A few people from town arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Samson, Lily’s parents, were there. They were a pretty young couple, mid-forties. Mrs. Samson once told me they were high school sweethearts.

I spotted Ryder and his parents walking toward the back of the clubhouse with two little girls in tow. I looked around to locate my daughter so I could introduce her to what would hopefully be her new friends.

Panic rose when I couldn’t find her. Then I saw her coming across the yard on King’s shoulders. I released a breath that had gotten caught in my chest. Someday, the panic attacks would be a distant memory.

I hoped.

I strolled over to King.

“Hey, Charlie, there is someone I want you to meet.”

“Who, Mommy?”

“Oh, just a couple of little girls.”

“FRIENDS?” She squealed loudly, and King winced.

He lifted her from his shoulders and set her on the ground.

“Go on, little one. Make some friends.”

“Thanks for the ride, Uncle King.” Charlie waved as we headed over to Ryder and his parents.

“Hey, Ryder. Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas.”

“Hi, Samantha, and, please, it’s Abby. And who’s this?” Mrs. Thomas asked.

“This is my daughter, Charlie. She is four years old, and I thought maybe Chrissy and Tabitha might like to make a new friend.”

“Hi,” Charlie said to the girls.

Tabitha slid behind her father’s legs, but Chrissy walked right over and took Charlie’s hand.

“Come on, let’s go find Banshee.” The little girl giggled as she dragged my daughter away with her.

“Leave that poor man alone!” Mr. Thomas called after the girls as they ran away.

Ryder shook his head. He lifted Tabitha to his hip.

“Can you say hi to Miss Samantha, Tabby?”

The shy little girl waved but didn’t speak.

Come to think of it, I didn’t think I had ever heard her say anything.

I was about to ask Ryder about it when I heard the loudest blood-curdling scream.

Immediately, I ran to find my daughter.

What I found were two little girls giggling on the ground. And a very large Banshee scowling down at them.

“Dammit, Chrissy. How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me? And now you have Charlie doing it? She fucking lives here. Are you trying to give me a heart attack, girl?” Banshee scolded the little girl. When he saw me, he winked.

My heart rate slowed then. He wasn’t actually angry with the girls.

“This is something they do whenever Ryder brings them to the clubhouse,” a voice said behind me.

Turning around, Blade stood there.