Go Down Swinging |Coco Cruz|

Chapter 4

~Coco's POV~

Izzy Rodriguez. What a nice name, I think to myself as I watched her put the last of the cans back on the display.  She then crouched back down and gently woke her daughter. Izzy seemed to calm down a little when she sighed softly. She then slowly stood up and brushed off her knees.

When she turned around she tucked her hair behind her ear. She seemed so shy, so guarded; like she lost something very near and dear to her heart.

Her voice was soft when she spoke to me again, "Is it alright if my daughter and I stay here for a few more moments after we get the water? She's asleep now and I don't want to subject her to the heat outside.".

I immediately noticed the scared undertone in Izzy's voice. I then noticed how white her knuckles were from gripping the stroller handles.

"I don't mind," I softly say, "Though I don't know where would be a nice place to sit.".

"As long as I'm not near any windows I'll be alright," Izzy said, the undertone in her voice still timid.

I take Izzy behind the checkout counter and dust off one of the crates, "You can have the chair; I'll sit on the crate.".

"Oh no, I couldn't do that to you, Coco," Izzy said, "I'll sit on the crate and you take the chair. I don't want to impede on your work.".

A soft smile tugged its way onto my lips, but I didn't argue with her. I took the cushion off the chair and put it on the crate, "I concede, but I would like for you to be comfortable.".

Izzy took the cushion and gently laid it on the crate. She then sat down and leaned back against the wall, "Thank you.".

I give her a small nod, then I go and grab a cool bottle of water for her. I also grabbed a Bug Juice, Kool Aid type drink for her daughter. When I begin handing them to her she tries to hand me a ten dollar bill.

"I've got it," I assure her, writing it on a paper and putting a few dollars in the register.

Izzy held the water in her hands, her eyes on the ground. She seemed to be thinking of something or someone again, but I didn't bother her.

What scared a poor girl so badly that she shakes so badly?