Go Down Swinging |Coco Cruz|

Chapter 3

I hummed softly as the warm sun hit my body, crouching down when I had stopped Joy's stroller. She smiled back at me as she clapped her hands together. She then held one of her hands out to me, promoting me to kiss her little knuckles.

What had spurred the idea of a walk, I will never know; but I liked it. It exposed Joy to sights and sounds she wouldn't get to see or hear if I were driving in the truck. Joy then yawned softly and drifted off, smiling softly.

I kiss her forehead, then I carefully pulled the little roof down on the stroller. I slowly stood up, brushing myself off. I straightened my posture and halfheartedly sighed. As I began walking, I couldn't help but feel as if someone was watching me.

My mind thought of Joy's safety as my heart pounded in my chest. Taking my lower lip between my teeth I maneuvered Joy's stroller around a few people, my mind having already decided what to do.

Find one of the Mayan Motorcycle Club. If I can find them, then the person or persons following me should run, I think to myself, I'm so happy they had become our allies.

I take a deep breath and push the stroller into a small general store. I began looking around, hoping the feeling went away. Chills went down my spine, but the feeling if being followed slowly ebbed away.

My hands gently shook as I began looking around the store. I had become so caught up in nervousness that I had accidentally pushed the stroller into a canned goods display. My heart stopped when it display came crashing down.

My hands began shaking more as I knelt down and began picking the cans up, whilst listening for any distress from Joy. I wiped my eyes as I began stacking the cans, still shaking.

I barely noticed when two hands took mine and gently took the cans from me. I shake my head and murmured an apology, knowing it was either the owner or one of the few workers.

"Hey, its okay," a voice softly said, "its not your fault.".

I looked to my left and blushed a little bit, "I knocked them over, surely it is my fault.".

The man smiled softly and said, "You didn't know they would fall.". He began restacking the cans, "Would you like some water? Your hands are shaking.".

My voice was soft as I spoke, "Please?". I had began absentmindedly handing him the cans to restack, "I would graciously accept.".

He turned to me and smiled again, "And some for your beautiful baby girl?".

I blushed a little bit and looked to Joy's sleeping form, "That'd be lovely, thank you.".

"I'm Johnny," the man softly hummed, "Everyone either calls me Johnny or Coco. What's your name?".

"My name's Izzy Rodriguez.".