Page 50 of Falling for Autumn
I turned back around and glanced at the two men. They waved their hand at him dismissively and shook their heads. I kicked him in the head and beat his ass again.
I headed back home, happy that I’d gotten the papers signed but sad that Autumn still wasn’t taking my calls or text messages.
Once I’d gotten home,I showered and changed into some sweats and a T-shirt. I grabbed two large bowls and filled them with the candy I’d bought earlier in the day and then headed out back to fire up my grill. The back door was opened, and I could see straight through to the front door.
I placed two seasoned steaks and two Mexican corns onto the grill and headed back inside to prepare my salad. The doorbell rang while I was cutting my vegetables. I walked to the frontdoor to find SpongeBob, Daphne, Princess Tiana, Lola Bunny, and Bugs Bunny at my door. I grabbed the first large bowl of candy.
“Trick-or-treat!” the kids called out in unison.
I grabbed large handfuls of candy and placed them in their buckets.
“What do you say?” A couple of mothers and a father stood in my yard at a distance, watching their kids.
“Thank you,” the kids called out.
“You’re welcome. Have fun.”
They turned to walk away, and I stood there a moment longer. I saw a heavyset woman pushing a stroller down the street in my direction. I rushed out onto my porch and stared with my heart racing. The closer she came, my shoulders dropped upon recognizing that it wasn’t Autumn and Auburn.
I stood there and watched as she walked up into my yard, and I realized she had a toddler with her dressed as one of the Power Rangers. I gave him a handful of candy and watched sorrowfully as they walked away.
Unwillingly, my head turned to the left, and I glanced at Autumn’s door. The pumpkin that I’d made sat on the doorstep, sadly unlit and looking lonely. I glanced down at the pumpkin she had made sitting on my porch, and I kicked the shit out of that pumpkin until it splattered all over the sidewalk, a mess, just like me.
Chapter 18
Autumn
Ipushed the cart through the store, looking for the underwear section. I hadn’t packed much when I left home, but I didn’t want to go back yet. I knew that there was a high risk of running into October, and I was still hurt.
I couldn’t believe that he had served time in prison, had a DV case, and had a whole kid. How could he judge Wilson for not being here for his child when he wasn’t even taking care of his child?
Auburn started whining. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you sleepy?” I reached a finger out and stroked her cheek soothingly. She yawned.
“Mommy . . .” she whined.
“We’re leaving any minute. I promise, sugar.” I kissed Auburn on her forehead and moved to the lingerie section. I grabbed a pack of panties and some bras to last me for a week. I normally ordered my items online, or I would go to Leather & Lace Lingerie boutique.
“Autumn?”
I stopped and turned around and saw Sarai coming up behind me.
“Hi, Sarai.” I greeted her with a hesitant smile.
She moved around her cart and walked toward me with open arms. We hugged, and then she turned to Auburn. “She’s so gorgeous, Autumn. She’s got your beautiful curls and bright eyes.”
“She does,” I concurred, looking proudly at my angel.
“I can see why you named her Auburn now,” she stated, pointing at my daughter’s reddish-brown hair.
“I thought it was the perfect fit for her. How have you all been doing?”
“We’re wonderful, thanks for asking. But what about you?”
I knew that dreaded question was coming. My stomach clenched as I prepared to respond. I really didn’t want to discuss October with anyone. It was hard enough dealing with his betrayal myself, let alone sharing the details of it with anyone else. I felt like such a fool. Alternatively, I knew she had to know about it.
“I’m just living life, Sarai.”
She nodded. “You may not want to hear this, but you know he told us what happened. Well, I should say that he told Reuben.”
