Bobbins and Bodies by ACF Bookens

Author:ACF Bookens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andi Cumbo-Floyd

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It took me a few minutes to gather my thoughts and corral a toddler, but when I mentioned donuts and police cars, I had to lunge after him to keep him from running outside and into the street on his own. As I shoved his arms into his coat and squeezed him so I could zip it up, I whispered, “When you get outside, I want you to shout, “Donuts!” as loudly as you can, okay?”

He looked up at me and said, “Okay, Mama. I shout.”

I kissed his forehead. “You ready?”

“Ready!” he shouted into my face. Then we were off. Two steps out the door, and he screamed, “DONUTS!” like he was letting the entire county know. I held his hand and half-ran, half-walked to the police station up the street. The boy was excited.

As we got closer, I slowed down both because Sawyer found groups of kids intimidating at first and because I wanted to see if I could get a read on whether or not anyone was following us. He and I walked to the edge of the crowd milling around a folding table on the sidewalk in front of the police station, and I turned to look behind me. Sure enough, about a block back, Santa Man and some other fellow in dungarees and plaid were strolling along.

I tried to let my eyes skim past them like it was no big deal, but Santa Man met my gaze and smiled just slightly. My stomach lurched. They didn’t care at all that I knew, and that made me even more terrified.

I turned back to Sawyer, bent down to his ear and said, “Ready for a donut?”

His eyes were wide as he studied the children around him. “Pick me up?”

Normally, I tried to not carry him much because he was old enough to walk easily and because my middle-aged hips didn’t love the imbalance carrying him caused, but today, I did so eagerly. With him scooped tight in my arms and his head on my shoulder so he could see but also feel secure, we waded into the crowd.

Officer Winslow looked up and said, “Well, look at this future schoolkid! Little guy, do you want a donut?”

Sawyer looked at the fried dough in her hand and nodded. She stood and handed him the food before meeting my eyes just an extra second and smiling. Just that small gaze of knowing opened up a well of peace in my chest. I smiled back before turning and wandering out of the bustling group of waist-high bodies around me.

Once we were clear, Sawyer began chowing down on his doughnut, and I started to slide him down off my body. But then, I saw Santa Man and his friend standing at the edge of the sidewalk between us and Mika’s store. They were clearly waiting for us, so I hugged Sawyer tighter and walked toward them, trying to look both innocent and shy. Since I was neither, this was tough.

A few

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