Page 18 of Codename: Dustoff
“There’s a Wal-Mart just on the other side of town.” Emmett took a seat across from me, “Once we’re done here, I can take you over there so you can get some clothes or whatever.”
I avoided big box stores. Not because I had any kind of objection to them, but they were so big. The shiny, over-waxed floors were exhausting to traverse while also focusing on staying upright and not slipping. My older brother Arlan was always on my case for not bringing a cane or walker with me when I went shopping to stay steady. I already had a giant metal leg for people to stare at, I didn’t need any other billboards to draw people’s attention.
“It’s fine. I don’t need to go. I’m good.”
Emmett’s lip quirked in tandem with his left eye shuttering, as if by staring at me through just the right one, he’d gain some clarity on some deep thought-provoking philosophy.
“Check darlin.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I said check. Want to rewind that comment for me, and tell me why you’re refusing help when it’s being provided to you?”
“For one, it’s still snowing. I don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way for an extra set of clothes.”
He stood, gathering his opposing shoulder in his hand, head tilted and an obnoxious gleam in his eye that said he was enjoying this stupid little game way more than he should be. I made a mental note to pay more attention to him. Surely, he’d done things I should have been calling check on too.
“I have a truck with four-wheel drive, and it’s less than two miles away. If that’s the only objection, then I think we can be on our way.”
“It’s snowing,” I told him.
“Yes, you mentioned that already. Four-wheel drive. We’re all good.”
“We’re not. I don’t need to go, okay?
“Sugar, last I checked, Henry said we were supposed to use this method so that the two of us could see the ways which we weren’t moving towards our self-acceptance journeys. We’re gonna finish this conversation. So, let’s try again. You said it’s snowing. What is it about the snow that has you deciding to exist in the same clothes for potentially three days rather than come with me to Wal-Mart? Are you tight on money? I can cover you.”
“My finances are perfectly fine. I don’t need your charity.”
The words came out much harsher than I intended, but I refused to feel bad for it. He raised his eyebrows at me but refrained saying anything further. We were locked in a visual game of chicken, and I wasn’t going to look away first. I was about to cock my head and cross my arms when his look softened and his eyes went really wide.
“Is it me? Did I do something last night that made you uncomfortable? I’m sorry if I misread the night. I only stayed in your bed because I wanted you to get a decent night’s sleep.”
Finn and Gemini both became really invested in making the most complicated cups of coffee known to man. Especially considering there was only cream and sugar out on the table. Finn nodded at Gemini cocking his head towards the living room, like we actually needed privacy.
“Emmett, stop.” I held my hand up. “Nothing happened guys. I had a night terror, Emmett came and laid with me so I wouldn’t be afraid. That’s it.”
“I’m plum out of guesses.” Emmett set his coffee cup down and placed his hand on his hip.
“Gemini would you mind taking Amelia to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things? If she’s staying another night, my guess is she probably wants clean clothes and maybe some personal items.”
“Jesus! I don’t need to go to Wal-Mart. What part of ‘don’t worry about it’ has missed your comprehension?”
I regretted snapping at him as soon as the words projectile out of my mouth. He’d wound me like a viper with his continual need to “check” me. I definitely wasn’t used to other people asking me to explain myself, what I said, or my actions.
“The part that knows you’re full of shit.”
Gemini tucked her phone into her pocket and ducked into the crossbody strap of her purse.
“Look, Emmett, I know you’re really invested in this practice scenario from Henry, but how about we just press pause on that, huh? I have a couple things I need to get anyway. Finn saw a movie he wants at the Redbox. We’ll just all go. How does that sound, Amelia?”
Given Emmet set me to full boil, I honestly didn’t want to do anything. But, since I was being forced to go, I tried to compile in my head a quick list of things that I definitely needed.
“Are there any smaller stores that carry necessities?” I asked as Finn held my hand as I tried to swing up into the backseat of Emmett’s truck with Gemini.
“Not in the city limits, unfortunately.” Gemini replied, clicking her seatbelt. “The Target is in Mammoth Slope, which is across the county line bridge.”
“Wal-Mart is it within the basin. Other than like the Pack n’ Sack and a couple local stores. But they won’t have clothes and toiletries.”