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Vic
Deep breaths. We take the Mazda together since there is no real reason for me to take the rig. I’m not working tonight. In reality, I’m not working anymore period. At least not for Townsend Towing. I’m going to need to find something I can do in California, but between practice, classes, and trying to take care of Baby girl, I have no idea what that will be. I was completely shocked by Clayton getting me into USC. The fact is that I wasn’t even trying to apply to anything out there. I figured that I would just work. At least for the first year or so. Help with our new addition to the family, shit like that. There’s always time for college. I know I was and am still freaked out over this whole daddy situation, but let’s be real. I sorta called it. I knew it was gonna happen. So here we are on the last day of high school, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Baby girl? Are you good? Got your guitar?”
“I’ve got it.” She taps the case beside her.
Getting out first, I look over the giant parking lot and field. The booster clubs managed to make a helluva little carnival for us Seniors. Clay comes over to Abi and me.
“Wow, I thought it was just gonna be food in the courtyard.” He looks over all the food trucks and other crazy. From where we stand, I can already see the kids dressed up as clowns, and there are even others walking around on stilts.
“Nah, it’s go big or stay home.” I snicker, taking their hands, putting me in the middle for a change of pace.
We get to the entrance, and Billie Jean Conway is running the stand.
“Hey! Oh, my God! Abigail, how are you?” She pops up and is hugging on Abi. Billie Jean was in our music class. “Thank you.” She tries to whisper, but I still hear her.
Abi pats her shoulder. “You’re uh- welcome? Not sure what for but um-yeah. Can you let go of me now?”
“Oh? I’m sorry. It’s just- you have no idea, do you? You took out Harmand. You did what we couldn’t- what we were all too afraid to do or say.” She is starting to cry. “You saved us from being terrorized anymore.” I look around, and there are like a dozen girls all looking at us.
Then it starts. The little thank you’s. The tears. “You’re so brave. Thank you.” “I’m so thankful for you.” “Harmand raped me two years ago. I’ve finally been able to report it. Thank you.”
So many girls.
Billie Jean holds out a yearbook. “We didn’t think you’d be here.” She holds it open, and it’s been signed everywhere!
Abi looks from me to Clayton and then to Billie Jean. “Thank you. I hadn’t planned to be. I was kidnapped from home and brought to school.”
“Well, you can rest assured that everything today is on us.” Billie Jean grabs a roll of tickets. “If you all run out, come see us. We got you. It’s the least we can do. You saved lives. I’m tellin’ ya.”
“You shouldn’t ever feel that you can’t protect yourself. Go to the school board or something. I could defend myself, but most girls can’t. Learn to throw a punch, and when they are bigger than you grab a monkey wrench that tends to do the job.”
Girls clap and cheer, saying Abi’s name. Christ. Clayton grabs us and the yearbook ushering us inside.
“Well, you done did it now. They’re gonna be measuring you for your stature before too long. Abigail Greenwood, the girl who took down the tyranny of the Amel Family.” Clayton chuckles.
“They fucked with the wrong girl, that’s for sure.” I swing my arm around Abi. “Look at all the tickets. I’m gonna win ya a big purple gorilla. And we’re gonna call it Magilla.”
“I came, I saw, I was accosted. Can I go now?” Abi whines.
“Not a chance.” A familiar voice creeps in behind us. I turn my head to see Mister Lagrange, our music teacher, and the only teacher that ever stood behind us.
It’s Abi’s turn to hug someone. “You know this isn’t my scene,” Abi pulls back from him.
“That may be true, but you’ve earned your right to a little fun. You know I checked, and you passed with a two-point nine GPA? Not too shabby Abi, not too shabby by a lot. I’m so damn proud of you. You let your competitive streak out. There are a few games here today I think you will dominate. I’m doing a name that tune game, Mister Miller is testing the auto shop boys by seeing if they can put a carburetor together blindfolded, and of course, there’s the pie-eating contest at three. If I recall you murdered the pie, my sister baked Freshman year. Go get ‘um. Let me see you kick some ass one more time before you blow this one-horse town.”
“Yeah, we'll see. There’s lots of food. I’m not sure I can eat it all.” Abi shakes her head, rubbing her belly. “The last thing I need is to make myself sick.”
“So you take bites, and Vic and I will take care of the rest.” Clayton nods to Lagrange. “We’ll see you at your booth.”
“You make sure, something tells me she could set a record.” He hugs her gently and hands her a card. “You call this number when you get to California. It’s my sister-in-law, Melody Anne. She and Amelia own a club. She’s expecting your call.”
“Seriously? This would be awesome!” Abi gets excited, but then her face drops. “I’m pregnant, the last thing I need to do is go into a club and get knocked around or something.”
“I know you’re pregnant. So do they. It’s not a rowdy place, check it out. Okay? Have I ever steered you wrong, kiddo?”
“I’ll be here for two more months, but I’ll be sure to call them once I get there and get settled. Thank you.” Abi hugs him once more.
“So where to start? That is the real question.” Clayton says, looking at Abi and me.
I look at her too. “I spy the inflatable twister; how much dirty trouble do you think we can get up to before they toss us?”
Abi shoves me. “Do you always have to think dirty? There’s a lot of people there. Maybe something without so many to start?”
“Okay, let’s go with the nerf shooter games and work our way out,” I say, grabbing them both again. “I got stuff animals to win.”
