Page 12 of Shape Of My Heart
Chapter4
“Hi, my name’s Riley,”the boy said with a bright smile that made his brown eyes sparkle. He looked like a sweet kid with his adorable full cheeks and longlashes.
“Hey Riley. I’m Amy.” She smiled down at him. The wind picked up her hair and blew it up behind her. She tucked the strands that had come forward behindherear.
“Did you just come from inside Joshua Mancini’s house?” Excitement beamed fromhiseyes.
“Yeah. I did.” She was trying to think of the right words to say. How was she supposed to tell this sweet boy to move away from the property and don’tcomeback?
What kind of person would talk to a kidlikethat?
People spoke to her like that a lot when she was a child, including her father. Especially him, actually. People like him shouldn’t be allowed to have children. JustlikeJosh.
“Do you think he’d sign my ball? I come here every chance I get hoping to catch him. I’m hisbiggestfan.”
This washeartbreaking.
Amy pulled in a breath. “I don’t think he’ll be able to sign the ball for you, Riley.” His face fell and the disappointment in his eyes made her feel guilty. “Not today. But perhaps some other time.” She couldn’t help herself. She felt bad to disappoint him. She’d been through it so many times that she couldn’t bring herself to do it to another person—a child for thatmatter.
He smiled. “Do you workforhim?”
Did she? Right now she didn’t. And she wouldn’t be stepping foot back in that house unless she had to. Her hopes were hanging on her mother’s consultant. She knew what was discussed before and the urgency in the matter, but here was hoping. She was just hoping he’d say she had some time. That would give room forflexibility.
“Kind of,” she decided to tell him. “What about you, did school justfinish?”
“Yes, I come here sometimes after school, then make my way to Cyranose to meetmymom.”
“Cyranose?” Soundedinteresting.
“It’s a cool restaurant, and there’s a basketball court and a mini football pitch where I play with myfriends.”
“Do you want some company for the walk over?” The area was nice. It was Malibu Beach, of course it would be beautiful, and while she was here it would be cool to explore. The part of the beach she’d found this morning was lush and peaceful. She could imagine relaxing there with a dog and that hot cocoa with cinnamon she’d dreamed up. This morning seemed like it wasyearsago.
“Sure. I can introduce you to my mom and her friend. They love the ManciniMachine.”
The Mancini Machine. She remembered seeing that in her research. It was what Josh’s fans called him. She wondered if anyone had any idea on what Josh was really like. Zelda said they kept his life out of the media, but someone somewhere must have seen something. Maybe if they had, Zelda’s company had paid them off before the story got published. Perhaps that was how it allworkedout.
“That’s nice.” It was best to beneutral.
“I want to be him when I grow up. I’m going to do everything he’s done too. That’smygoal.”
Amy hoped not. His words pulled on her heart, and it almost felt like telling a child that Santa Claus wasn’t real, so she listened and kept hermouthshut.
Riley’s eyes sparkled. “He’s the best player ever. Did you see hislastgame?”
“No. I didn’t. Do you want to tell me about it?” That was her attempt to be neutral and not crush his little vision. She didn’t doubt that Josh was a great player. It was his personality that was theproblem.
Riley couldn’t have looked happier, and as they walked along the beach all Amy heard was how wonderful Josh was. Riley was able to tell her everything about Josh’s games and all the special moves he used to help his team win. She was impressed at the details Riley gave and agreed that he had to be Josh’s biggest fan. The kid had not only watched him play, but it was like he knew his thought process too. It was quite remarkable tolistento.
“There’s my mom.” Riley waved at a Latina-looking lady who had long black hair that flowed out against the wind. She sat at a table outside the restaurant with another lady who looked similar. Both were stunning with their shiny hair and golden skin. She wondered if they were models. Everyone she’d come in contact with since being here lookedlikethat.
Amy felt slightly out of place because her clothes were dirty and her hair was a mess. She was also certain she smelled as bad as the house, too, and possibly essence of rat. She’d washed her foot as best as she could but she couldn’t get over that an actual rat had touched her skin. She shuddered at thememory.
“Come, I’m sure they’ll love you.” Rileysmiled.
What a sweet boy. She followed Riley over to his mom who stood up and smiled warmly as sheapproached.
“Hey there,” she said. The other lady acknowledged her too. Amy could see that she had unusual honey-colored eyes that made her look even morestunning.
