Page 11 of Scythe's Salvation
I snicker because Amara is always down for some shopping. Hell, she usually volunteers to take Chance shopping when it comes to back-to-school stuff. He gets everything he needs, from notebooks and fancy pencils, to clothes that make him look sharp. I honestly couldn’t have done all of this without her and her family; they’ve all been so supportive since I found out I was pregnant when my foster parents kicked me out.
I lived with Amara and her family, including her grandmother, while I was pregnant and for about a year or so after he was born until I could get on my feet. As Amara says, we’re now sisters since she helped take care of me after my C-section when I could barely move. She teases me that now that she’s seen ‘everything’ that I’ve got, it makes us family.
What she doesn’t know is that the minute her mom and grandma opened their arms to me the way they did? They became my heart family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them at this point, up to and including burying a body if need be.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Later, since Memaw has commandeered my son, I think I’ll go through his clothes and pull everything out that’s too small. I should check with one of my clients to see if she knows where I can donate stuff. I know the local motorcycle club has a community store they set up, but I don’t know if they take gently used clothing or not. If they do, then I can take them there since I believe they give it away to those in need within the town.”
“I’ll come and help, and we’ll have a sleepover tonight! We can do face masks, watch a few movies, and eat some junk food.”
“You’re on!”
“Maybe I shouldn’t go so crazy when I shop for him,” Amara says, looking at the stacks of clothes that are currently covering Chance’s bed.
While he’s still young, I was able to get a good deal on a full-size bed, and right now, every square inch is being utilized. Some items still have tags which upsets me since I try to be so frugal. Hopefully, the next time Roxy comes in, I can ask her if her club’s community shop can use them. Because I hate trying to sell things through social media. There are scammers practically everywhere these days and online is no different. I’d honestly rathergivethe stuff away than argue with someone about whether or not I’ll take less.
Thanks, but no thanks! My time is precious to me and pretty much every single minute of every day is filled with something, whether it’s work for me and school for Chance, or all the after-school things we have to get done for the next day.
“Maybe? You know I appreciate what you and your family do for him, Am, but goodness, seeing so many shirts and shorts with price tags still attached hurts my heart.”
“I know. I saw something and maybe we should try it this time,” she says.
“What is it?” I’m willing to do just about anything to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.
“We’ll hang up his shirts and every time he wears one, he has to turn the hanger the other way. If, after six months, a shirt is still hung the correct way, we get rid of it.”
“What about his shorts? Jeans?” I question.
“We can do the same thing with the pants, of course. The shorts will be a bit trickier since we’ll put them in his dresser. I think if you see the same three or four pairs of shorts in the wash, you’ll know which ones have to go.”
“Sounds like a good idea to me. Let’s get it done so we can veg out with our masks, some junk food, and a good movie,” I reply.
It doesn’t take long for us to get his closet and dresser reorganized, and the clothes that are now too small put into totes, which we set in my garage for the time being. Once I get a chance to talk to Roxy, they’ll be gone. One way or another, of course. I wouldn’t say I’m a minimalist or anything but growing up and not having anything beyond the basic necessities means that everything has a place where it belongs. Chance’s room had started looking like an explosion happened in a clothing store, so I’m glad Amara and I got this tackled.
With masks on our faces, jammies on our bodies, and a bowl of popcorn that’s loaded with walnuts and almonds, our favorites, we decide to watch the first part ofWickedsince the second part comes out in the theaters in a few months. Because I opted to purchase it, we can always rewatch it before we head to the movies. “Are you ready?” I ask as my finger hovers over the play button.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, just push the button! I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for months now and can’t wait to dazzle you with my lyrical brilliance.”
I burst out laughing as I hit the button, knowing that she’ll probably sing a little bit off-key, but at the end of the day, it won’t matter. Us being together adding to the memories we’ve shared for so many years now is what’s important as far as I’m concerned. While the beginning credits scroll, which I don’t fast forward through because we don’t want to missanything, I quickly send out texts to my clients for the following week in case anyone needs to cancel.
Deep into the mysterious happenings at Schiz University, I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone chimes with an incoming text. I pick it up and feel my cheeks heat when I read Scythe’s response to my reminder.
Scythe: Can’t wait to have your hands on my body again, sweetheart.
Yeah, I’m not answering that, what the heck can I even say? Instead, I put my phone back down and focus on Elphaba and Galinda, whose name eventually morphs to Glinda. As I predicted, Amara sings along which is fine by me. The two of us enjoy musicals, especiallyThe Greatest Showmanwith that yummy Hugh Jackman playing PT Barnum.
Yeah, he’s yummy, but Scythe is yummier,my brain whispers.
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Scythe
“Shut the fuck up,we’ve got shit to discuss,” Brick yells as he slams his gavel on the table we’re sitting around for church. Right now, it’s just the Roanoke crew, but he mentioned that Dragon was holding one as well.
Sometimes we have church together, others we don’t. I think when it comes to our combined businesses we do, but that’s above my pay grade so to speak, so I don’t worry about it one bit.
“So, Ryleigh brought something up and I wanted to put it to a vote. Y’all know how we run the community store, we’ve been doing it for a few years now and it’s been well-received. Since we have so many kids running around these days, she wanted to know if we could possibly do a section for gently used clothing, furniture, and toys,” Brick says. “Personally, I think it’s a good idea. I know the women could swap around and they do, constantly, but the fact of the matter is, all of us are more than capable of buying what our kids need brand new. There are many still in this community who can’t do that, hell, they can’teven buy from the thrift store, for fuck’s sake! This would allow them to maintain some pride while they shop with us. As always, our IT gurus will make sure that if there’s anything else a family needs, we’re made aware of that fact.”
