The Key to her Heart

Chapter Nineteen

When Molly was dressed I put her in the backseat. After I was situated in the car I turned on the AC and began to drive to the store. Molly wanted to listen to some music so I played some kids music and let me tell you it was ear bleeding, I almost died. When I pulled into the parking lot I got out and unbuckled Molly. When she was out of the car I closed the door and locked the car. I started to walk but Molly had slapped my leg, getting my attention.
"What?" I asked.
She held her arms up high.
"Up." Was all she said.
I just look at her. I couldn't believe she wanted my to carry her into the store.
"Please?" She asked.
Sighing I crouch down and grab my sister. I hoist her up on my hip and begin to walk across the street. Walking into the store I put Molly down. I then accidentally bump into an old lady causing her to drop the items in her hands.
"I am so sorry." I said.
"It's alright son." The lady said.
She bends down to pick up the items she had dropped.
"Help her!" Molly demanded.
I look at her and she is staring at me as if she wanted to tell me off about myself. I give her an 'okay, okay I will' kind of look and get on my knees to help the lady pick up her stuff. When the lady stood up straight she looked kind of sad. She was looking at two smooshed apples in her hand, her lips twisted. Honestly the apples looked like applesauce.
"These were the only two apples they had that I could eat." The lady mumbled sadly.
When she said that it made me feel worst than I already had. I open my mouth to say something but Molly had caught my attention. She was running off into the produce section.
"Molly!" I called. "Get back here!"
She stopped at the apple stand and grabbed two apples. She ran back to where the elderly lady and I was.
"Hopefully these will do." Molly said handing the apples to the lady.
The woman smiled and happily took the apples from Molly.
"Thank you so much." She said.
The woman examined the apples and her smile transformed into a grin.
"Wow, these are perfect!" The woman said.
She bent down and hugged Molly and Molly smiled.
"You always have to have hope." She said into the woman's ear.
When they release each other the woman looked between the apples and Molly.
"Yeah . . . I guess so honey." She said. "Well you two have a blessed day."
"You too." Molly and I say in unison.
"Also I'm so sor-"
"No need to apologize your daughter did it for you." The woman said starting to walk off.
Daughter? Molly's not my daughter! Not saying that I wouldn't love her if she was but . . . still she's not my daughter!
"Oh um . . ." Molly said.
I think she was going to correct the lady but it was too late she had already turned down another aisle. Molly looks up at me.
"Daughter?" She said frowning.
I chuckle. I put my hand out for Molly to grab.
"Come on sweetie-"
Before I could finish my sentence Molly slapped the shit out of my leg, almost making me fall.
"Don't refer to me as your daughter, it was a mistake the old lady made." Molly demanded. "Now let's go get the bacon or I'm blackmailing you into take me to IHOP."
"How?" I asked.
I knew it was a dangerous question to ask but I was just curious as to what will be used against my will.
"It's none of your business." Molly replies.
Now that's more than dangerous!
"Okay let's go get the bacon." I said, walking towards the meat department.
When we got to the meat department I was looking at the bacon while Molly was twirling around, her flower dress making her look like a Disney Princess. I then hear a big thud.
"Molly!" I say, not taking my eyes off of the bacon.
"Sorry about that." Molly said.
That's when I turn around and see Molly and a very familiar guy. He had hazel eyes and brown hair he looks like a female I know . . . KARINA!
"I am so sorry about . . . whatever happened between you two." I said to Kevin.
"Oh it's alrigh-"
Kevin pauses as he begins to study me.
"Don't I know you?" Kevin asked.
"Yes!" I said a bit to proudly.
I clear my throat and look at Kevin.
"Sorry about that." I apologize. "Um yes we met a couple of days ago at another store."
"Ah." Kevin said.
"Kev did you get any-" a lady said.
She looked at me and pauses. She had a bundle of towels on her hand, a color scheme of purple and white.
"Oh I see you've made a friend or two." The lady said.
She must be his and Karinas Mom.
"You guys are friends?" Molly asked loudly.
Kevin, his Mom, and I look at Molly. She turned red immediately.
"What can't a girl ask a question that's not in a . . . lady kind of matter?" Molly asked her voice soft.
"Aw, who is this cute little girl?" Kevin's Mom asked.
"I'm Molly and you are?"
"My name is Ms.—you know what call me by my first name, Linda."
"Nice to meet you Linda, this is my slave—I mean brother, Alex." Molly said.
"Hello, Alex." Linda said.
"Hello."
"Who are you boy?" Molly asked Kevin.
"Kevin."
"This is Kevin." I said at the same time Kevin spoke.
"Well nice to meet you Kevin."
"How's your sister?" I asked.
"She's okay, she's been in her room going crazy because of the lockdown yesterday." Kevin explained.
Wow.
"Oh you know Karina!" Linda exclaimed.
I nod.
"We met at a store and we discovered yesterday that we go to the same school." I said.
"Huh." Linda said. "We're you the one who brought her home yesterday?"
I nod.
"Oh thank you so much, I was worried sick about her and the only way I could calm down was by drinking a cup of coffee." Linda said.
I nod slowly. My stomach then growls.
"Well it was nice meeting you two, we have to go take care of a few other things." Linda said. "Have a good day and we'll see you around."
"Okay." I said as Linda and Kevin begin to walk away.
I watched them for a moment. They were talking about the towels she had in her hands. When I stopped looking at the two I return my attention back to the bacon.
"Uh, Molls they don't have the bacon we usually get." I said.
"Then can we please go to IHOP?" Molly asked.
I look at her, unsure if we should go or not.
"Please?" Molly begged.
When I didn't answer she started to poke her lower lip out.
"Ugh, fine!" I said.
"Yay!" Molly yelled jumping up and down.
"Come let's go." I say, holding my hand out for Molly to grab.
Molly happily grabbed my hand and we headed out the door. When we get in the car I pull out my phone and text Mom telling her where Molly and I were going. When I sent the text I received a text, from Rodgers.
Rodgers: Party tonight!!! At Stewart's!!!
I smile at my screen and text him back.
Me: Awesome!
Rodgers: You better bring that girl too! Or else!
Why am I getting blackmailed today?!
Me: I will.
Molly then clears her throat.
"Hey, Alex, you you mind doing me a tiny favor?" Molly asked.
I look back at her.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Drive!" She shouts. "A girl is hangry!"
I can tell.
"Okay, okay." I said.
I then turn on the ignition and began to drive. As I was driving I thought of the new diner by the freeway that had just opened up. My eyes widen as I come to a stop at a red light. I turn around and look at Molly.
"Hey." I said.
"What?" Molly asked.
"You want to go to that new diner by the freeway?" I asked.
Molly gasped with excitement.
"Yes!" She yells.
I smile.
"Alright, lets go get Mom and Dad." I said.
"Okay!"
When the light turned green I made a U turn and began our journey back to the house. When we got home I got out the car leaving Molly in the car. Mom noticed me through the kitchen window and she met me at the front door, in her pajamas.
"I thought you guys were going to IHOP." Mom said.
"Get dressed." I said.
"Who is that?" I hear Dad asked.
Dad poked his head around the corner and sees me.
"Oh." He said, walking towards the door, behind Mom. "Mornin son."
He was in his raggedy work cloths. I sigh and Dad frowns.
"What?" He asked.
"Get dressed." I said.
"Why where are we going?" Dad asked.
"Th-just . . . get dressed." I say.
"Okay, whatever you say." Mom said, slowly shutting the door.
A good ten to fifteen minutes had passed and Mom and Dad were still in the house. Molly was growing hungrier and I was growing impatient.
"Oh where are they!" Molly complained.
"They'll be out in a second." I said.
"They need to hurry!"
Agreed. I was about to honk the horn when I saw the front door swing open. 'Oh thank goodness' I said in my head. Mom stepped out in a light pink dress with an ivory white jacket (it looked like it was made of yarn). She was looking in her purse for something.
"Oh never mind I got them." Mom said pulling out a set of keys.
Mom catches me watching her and she walks over to my window. I roll it down.
"We're going to take your fathers car." Mom said.
I nod and roll my window back up.
"Oh um . . !" Mom said.
I roll my window back down.
"Um we'll call you when we get there." Mom informed me.
"Okay." I said.
When my window was rolled up Molly asked:
"Can we go now?"
I chuckle as I put the car in drive and begin to drive down the driveway. Molly cheered as she saw the world move around her. On the drive to the diner Molly had found one of her toys she left in the car a long time ago. She was telling a story with it. The story was about a fox who was looking for shelter during the cold and brittle winter. I can't believe this but I was actually enjoying the story.
When we got into the parking lot of the diner my phone started ringing. I grab it from the passenger seat and see that it's Mom calling.
"Hey Mom, we're here." I said.
"That's good, um your father and I had a little trouble with the car and we'll be there in a minute." Mom said.
My body went still. Everything around me began to fade away.
"What happened? Are you guys okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, we're fine it's just the car broke down, nothing to worry about." Mom replied. "The auto repair guy is here helping your father fix the issue."
I began to relax.
"Okay." I said.
"Just take Molly into the diner and order her food because I know she's hungry." Mom said. "Okay?"
"Okay." I said.
"Love you, bye."
"Love you too."
Then the phone hung up. I just sit in the drivers seat and look out the window for a second.
"What happened?" Molly asked. "Is Mom and Dad okay?"
I look at her. I completely forgot she was in the car even though Mom had just told me to take Molly in to order some food for her.
"Uh, yeah, everything is okay." I said. "Mom and Dad had some issues with the car, they'll be here soon."
I unbuckle my seatbelt.
"But in the meantime, lets go feast on some toast and bacon." I said.
A smile spread across Molly's face.
"Yay!" She said as I got out the car.
Opening the back door I get Molly out of the car and we walk into the diner that smelled like coffee and cinnamon which made my stomach growl.