Page 52 of Fish out of Water
I looked at Grant.
He raked one hand through his hair. “I’ll call them now.” He walked outside.
Mrs. Sherling came to my side, wrapping one arm around my shoulders before leading me to the couch. “Sit down.” She went down with me, her side pressed tight to mine. “You look like you’re in shock.”
Honestly I sort of was.
I always thought I was a somewhat normal person in spite of my unique upbringing.
But I just completely forgot that I should call the police to report a burglary.
“What do you think they were looking for?” Mrs. Sherling was the neighbor I was closest to. She checked on me every day and I checked on her.
She was sort of a stand-in for the mother I had to leave behind for my own sanity.
For my own happiness.
I tried to hang on. Spent years trying to keep a foot in both worlds. The one she chose, and the one I did.
But it was impossible.
“I don’t know.” I let out a long breath. “They didn’t take anything from my purse.”
“They didn’t take anything at all?”
“They took my panties.”
“What?” She sounded as shocked as I was.
“All of them.” I turned her way. “Even the ones from my dirty clothes hamper.”
Her blue eyes went wide.
Good to know my shock was the correct reaction.
“Why would they do that?”
“I really don’t want to think about it.” I’d spent a lot of time building a collection of fun panties that made me smile when I put them on.
That’s what clothing was about for me now. I wore what made me happy. What made me feel empowered.
And some perv stole all my thongs of happiness.
Grant came back in. His hair was flopped to one side and he seemed to get more agitated by the second.
“Are they on their way?” Mrs. Sherling stood.
Grant nodded.
“I should go freshen up then.” She started to walk away, stopping after only two steps to come back my way. “I forgot. I brought these for you.” She dropped the grocery bag in my lap before hustling off.
I stared down at it a second before pulling at the plastic until I found the opening.
This day just kept getting better and better.
I pulled out the box inside and held it up to Grant.
His expression was not what I expected.
