I would like to present you with chapter six. I do hope you have a pleasant time reading.
She had been crying. And I knew I had been the reason why. A reason of joy or of sadness? Of that I cannot say. Jack takes no notice of this quickly reassuming the tying of his laces after his brief hello as she walked on by. Annie had stepped off of the bus a moment earlier after sliding on her sandals. Not bothering with any foot ware deciding I'll just look before I take any steps to avoid possible particles of glass I leave behind Jack. I spy Molly standing within the confident store walking down an aisle without looking at any of the purchases presenting themselves on the shelf.
"Do you need any help mom?" I call out towards her as she starting the fuel up.
"No I am fine thanks honey." I am relieved of her response not wanting to help in the first place but understanding it would be inconsiderate not to inquire of it. Taking slow step with my eyes focused almost completely downwards and not ahead I head towards the store. I have about six buck in my wallet more than enough for the cherry filled poptarts I have been craving since our gig in New Mexico last Thursday. Or some popsicles despite the fact our mini-freezer does not hold well to its name. It hardly matters anyway it's the who within the store that only counts to me.
"What's wrong?" It was odd while walking towards her I had consider a dozen ways to bring forth the subject of her dried and faded tears. A joke of some sort though I had no punch line prepared, talking about something on the shelf, none of them involved the straightforward truth. She jumps at the sound of my voice, though she would have had the same reaction to anybody suddenly appearing to her side.
"What?" Molly is avoiding me, avoiding my eyes instead staring at package of French Vanilla car air fresheners.
"I asked what's wrong, you've been crying, why?" She is still avoiding but her body language has tensed up as if I held a gun against her back.
"Carey I don't know what you're talking about, I am fine." If there was one thing that Molly Phillips lacks talent in that would be lying. Her losses collected in poker games we play with the other band members and roadies every couple of weeks is evident enough of this fact.
"Look at me Molly." That snaps her eyes towards me, not having ever heard me addressing her as anything besides Mrs. Phillips or Mrs. P, but considering the events that I rolled into play calling her anything besides her first name is just too weird. Plus I am no longer a child I have grown beyond the Misses, Mister, sir, mam' stage when it comes to those I know.
"I…I don't know." She finally allows the balloon to pop and her self-control drops with defeat. It wasn't much of an answer but it was a start. One I could work with, carefully.
"You don't know? Come on Molly there has to be something or someone, nothing happens without a reason." I don't know what I said or even if my words had any impact whatsoever, but with the conclusion of my statement came a down pour of tears.
"It's because of you." She hiccups out in a whisper between sobs as she takes a step towards me falling into my chest. I wrap myself around her tight enough to allow her permission to know I am there but lose enough not to bring her any discomfort. Her arms follow my lead taking a hold of me while the tears still fell down.
"It's okay, it's okay Molly." I whisper softly though I had no idea of true signifies of being the reason why, it could be good just as equal are the chances it could be bad. If it were the second I can't help to consider why would she fall into my arms?
"Mom what's wrong!" Taking a sharp turn at the far end of the aisle to where Jack stood his faced covered in nothing but the emotion of fear as he stares at his mother seemingly falling apart in a dirty gas station min-market.