Brave Enough

Eighteen

      "Do you want to go to the board walk? We can do the Ferris wheel, there's a photo booth, and some games," Eddie suggests.

       "That sounds fun," James says sleepily. Cleo plops down into her lap cold and wet from the water.

      "Aless where is mama Thena? And pops Bobby?" Cleo asks.

       "They're at work sweet pea. We'll call and talk to them when we get home. Alright?" Cleo nods excitedly.

****

       "I don't know if I can do anymore rides. My stomach is a little queasy right now," James tells Cleo who frowns.

      "I'll take her on a couple more. She is my child after all. You two go do something together. Come on Eddie," Eddie and Marcus steer Christopher and Cleo towards the next ride.

       "What do you want to do?" James asks.

       "It's your birthday you choose?"

       "Hmm. Maybe the photo booth?" Buck takes her hand and leads her the way. James pulls her wallet out and slips some cash out. "Which one do you want to do?" Buck slides his Card into the machine and selects an option. "Buck. Why'd you do that?"

"Smile baby. These will last forever," Buck says. When the session ends they discover the photos are gone. "Well so much for lasting forever," Buck jokes. "Let's go find everyone. We should probably head back soon."

****

"Hi. I'm Corinne. I'm going to put something in your book bag. I need you to not tell anyone okay?" Cleo nods as the woman puts a package in her book bag. "Good bye."

"Cleo. Why did you run off like that? You can't scare daddy like that," Marcus scolds her causing her to cry.

"Cleo? What's wrong? Dad what did you do?" Buck lifts Cleo into his arms as James yells at Marcus.

"I'm sorry she ran off and I yelled at her for it. I'm sorry it scared me."

"She's a four year old. She didn't mean to do anything wrong. Cleo are you ready to go home? We can go call Thena and Bobby," she nods. "Alright come here." Cleo reaches out to her.

      "No no. You relax I've got her," Buck tells James.

****

       "Thank you Buck today really was a fresh start. First the beach then a party. How did you even know it was my birthday?" James asks. Snuggling into his chest.

      "Marcus. Let's go to bed. We can watch some tv and relax," he responds.

      "Go on. I'm going to check on Cleo before I join you," she kisses his chest and stands up. "See you in a few."

       James watches over Cleo as she sleeps peacefully in Buck's guest room. A room he had at some point converted into a room for her. Pink walls, stuffed animals, dress up, he'd even managed to set up a princess bed. The head board had Cleo painted across it with sparkles and gold flecks. Cleo's bag lies open and something yellow hanging out catches James's eye. James closes the door and pulls out a manilla envelope. Opening it she finds a stack of pictures. All of her, Cleo, and Buck. Some had Maddie and Chim. Others had Eddie and Chris. But the majority of them were of her and Buck. Every single one had an x over his face. The sight made her heart stop. The photos that were missing from the photo booth were among the pictures. A paper falls out of the stack and James reads it sadly knowing what she has to do. To save everyone she loves.

       James puts the envelope back in the book bag and heads back towards Buck's room trying to not let herself cry. He tosses her one of his shirts. "You can sleep in this tonight. I know it's a little large. But I promise it's comfortable." James looks at the large shirt and laughs.

"Babe this is not a shirt. This is a tent," she says with a laugh. "One I'll happily wear." She puts it on and climbs in the bed. James lies there in the bed listening to him breathe. Waiting for him to fall asleep. Waiting for her sad exit.

Quietly and slowly James detangles herself from Buck and packs up her clothes and Cleo's clothes. She loads her car and switches the car seats before running back for Cleo. Sitting at the table James writes a good bye letter and leaves the necklace he'd given her. Tears drip onto the paper as she writes. Locking the door behind her James silently says good bye.

*****

An hour later James finds herself standing in line at the bus station. "Hi. Two tickets to Sayulita, Mexico please." She hands over her cash and hers and Cleo's passports. "Thank you. Come on let's go to the bench and wait for the bus come sweetie." James ushers Cleo along with her while pulling their bags behind her.

"I'm so sleepy. Where's Buck? Will Buck come to visit? I miss Buck," Cleo's words nearly break James.

"Not for a long time baby. Alright we need to practice. What's your name?"

"Cleop... no my name is Winnie Buckley. Like Buck," she answers.

"Good now what's my name?"

"Echo Buckley. But now you're my mama. Why are we changing our names again?" Cleo asks.

"I know it's confusing Winnie. But Mama had a friend. One who wasn't very nice. So we have to go away for a little while. We'll see Buck one day. But not for a while. It makes me sad too. Buck's the first man Mama's ever loved," tears fall.

"Boarding. Bus 379. Los Angeles to Sayulita, Mexico. Two thirty a m," an announcer says.

"I promise you can sleep on the bus Winnie. Just a little longer," they board the bus and take their seats and wait for the doors to shut. "We're getting a fresh start squirt." Soon the bus has pulled away and Cleo falls asleep leaning against James.