Book IV: Avi Dragon

Targeted Emotions

When they'd ordered their food, Angel went to the restroom. Avi started to offer his arm, but she was already out of the booth and through the door. He hadn't noticed that they were right next to the bathrooms.
   When she came back, she grumbled about how baggy her clothes were. "The next stop for us is some sort of store, I think. I know you'll have to get back soon, but I can't wear these forever. The drawstring is nice and all, but everything is too big." Only one of them got her meaning, but she was fine with that.
   "So you want me to drop you at the mall?" Dan asked.
   She shuddered. "Not dressed like this, and not with him. No offense."
   Avi, having also cringed, assured her there was no harm done. "Is there somewhere better, d'you think?"
   Angel thought for a moment. "I'd rather not go to Walmart, just on principle, so I guess Target is fine for a few essentials."
   He touched her arm to get her attention. "You know you don't have to pinch pennies anymore, right?"
   Her cheek twitched. "We don't exactly have designer shops here; and besides, I've never had expensive tastes. Give me a geeky t-shirt from the boys' section and some leggings, and I'm fine."
   "The boys' section?"
   She grinned. "Perks of being short. Certain chain stores don't seem to think girls like Star Wars and Marvel, so I just buy from the section that has them. In that storage unit, I've got men's boxers, men's socks, boots, shirts, and even some boxer briefs. I don't see the need to pay more for things, when nobody can tell they were made for men. Besides, my feet are too big for women's boots."
   She was blushing, but as always, food saved the day. The plates and pans, respectively, arrived steaming and/or sizzling. She loved that about this place. The cast iron skillet, combined with the saddles in their plexiglass boxes, and the other paraphernalia, gave it a Western cowboy atmosphere, right there on Lake Superior.
    They dug into their food, with little talk interrupting the meal. She had to scold Dan for giving the baby a fingerful of refried beans. She handed the diaper bag with her food around the table, instead. Her heart caught at the sight of the huge paw holding the tiny spoon, so she concentrated on her food, after a few surreptitious photographs.
    Avi pressed his leg to hers in silent support. He had a fair idea what she was going through.
   When Dan was done feeding the baby, Angel took her in the bathroom for cleanup. Both men objected, but she was the most skilled at handling an infant in a public restroom. She compromised by handing her off as soon as they came back out. She archly pointed out that she wasn't fatigued in the least, and they knew darned well that if she said it, it had to be true.
   The baby decided she'd had enough of the strange giant, so she sat on her father's lap for the rest of the meal. Dan took a few photos of the happy family to send her later. He'd edit them with his fancy photography apps, make them look as good as they could--no matter what the images did to his big ol' heart.
   When they had eaten their fill and paid the bill, they went across the street to deposit their meager belongings in the hotel that conveniently had an available room for three days. It felt unreal, signing her last name in the register alongside his, but she'd have to get used to it eventually.
   Dan, having waited in the car, opened the doors for them. He took great pride in being kind to as many people as he could. She gave him another kiss on the cheek before she got in the front seat. He closed the door gently behind her, then the back door.
   He always drove carefully, but this day, he was slower than usual. She knew he was postponing the inevitable, and it hurt. She squeezed his hand when they reached their destination, kissed his cheek for perhaps the last time.
   "Thanks, Danny boy, for everything. Don't be a stranger." It wasn't a request, it was an order.
   "Yes ma'am," he said, tears in his eyes.
   She wiped the eye closest to her, shook the damp finger at him, and demanded he stay right there until he could see straight. She turned to get out of the car, spun back, and planted a goodbye kiss right on his lips.
   And then they were gone.
   Angel swiped at her eyes quickly; not to keep her husband from seeing, but to save face in public. People might ask why she was crying, and think he was responsible for it.