In Love With Sin

Chapter 9

Day after day, week after week, I practiced my shooting. It was becoming more and more evident this was second nature to me. I was able to shoot from long distances, moving targets, and we all knew I did very well with close range. I tried out different guns just to get the feel of them. Link also taught me how to ride a motorcycle and it became my preferred vehicle.

I rode into town and stopped by the thrift shop to pick out some new clothes.

"Hi Krissy!" the cashier said happily waving at me. I remembered her from the first day we arrived. She was skinny and scared with bruises all over her. But now she had a little meat on her and her bruises were almost gone. She showed a little more confidence from the last time I saw her.

"Hi!" I smiled back, feeling embarrassed I didn't know her name.

"Sorry, I know ya'll don't know me. I just wanted to thank you for driving those bad hicks outta town." she said. "I'm Charlotte."

"Hey no problem." I said. "May I ask, was one of those hicks your husband?"

"Boyfriend. Well, now ex-boyfriend, thanks to you." she said with a sense of pride.

"I'm glad we could help with getting you out of that situation." I said. "Do you live by yourself now?"

She nodded proudly which made me smile.

"You know, I was in a similar situation before." I said as she looked up at me with curiosity. "Not physically abused, but severely mentally abused. I thought I didn't own my own life."

"By who?" she asked, before she could stop herself. "I'm sorry I don't mean to pry." she looked down at her feet in shame and embarrassment.

I chuckled. "I don't mind. It was my parents."

She looked at me in shock. "Your mama and papa? How could they even?"

I shrugged. "I guess they had a certain perception for what my life should be, instead of what I wanted it to be ."

She looked at me with sorry eyes. "That's terrible." I could see other questions in her mind but I could tell she was too shy to ask them.

"We should set a coffee date sometime." I said as I saw a smile radiating from her face as she nodded. "But right now, I'm in desperate need of clothes."

She ushered me around, helping me pick out a stack of blouses, t-shirts, pants and a couple of shoes.

"That'll be $20." Charlotte said.

I looked at her surprised. "$20? I've picked out a whole bunch, that's impossible for it to add up to only $20."

"50% off discount honey." she smiled mischievously.

I shook my head. "I appreciate that Charlotte, but I'd feel more comfortable paying full price for it."

But she didn't budge. "Just accept it darlin, you're getting the family discount whether you like it or not."

I smiled at her. "Fine, but as long as coffee, lunch and dinner are on me." I said as she nodded in agreement.

I left the shop with a sense of pride. I was happy that I was able to help her out of a bad situation as well as gain a friend. She seems like a genuine person. Even the town community seemed at ease ever since we showed up, and I felt amazing to be a part of that. Kids were playing out in the street, people were comfortable enough to come outside and hang out with each other. It was like a different town from when we first came through.

I arrived home to a decently furnished house of hand me downs. The boys were all gathered in the living room and I noticed a new face.

"Krissy, this is Ricky." Nate said as he approached me and kissed my forehead.