Page 29 of Property of BamBam
I sit back in my chair as I think about BamBam. He’s stopped by a few times, always with things he thinks Theo might need, although he usually brings me something as well. Plus, the fact that he thought enough of me to offer me a job and a place to live tells me that he understands I have to do things on my own, at least for a short time, anyhow.
Because my parents gave me the golden example of what a good relationship looks like. While Dad was the primary breadwinner,my mom worked as a teacher because of her love for kids and education. They weren’t able to have any more children after Mom had me, so I grew up in a household where the door was always open to my friends, or even kids who needed a place to stay for a bit. And even though Dad worked, when he was home, my folks worked together to take care of the house, me, and their other adult responsibilities.
I grin when I remember how many times, I’d come into the kitchen to see my dad dancing with my mom. She would try to protest, only for him to laugh and remind her that if dinner burned, he’d just take us out to eat. I saw not only their mutual respect for one another, but also the love they had, not just as a couple, but as my parents. I never felt like I was an afterthought, and while I know they probably had their moments because all couples have them, they handled them with grace and understanding.
So, when I moved in with Jasper and suddenly I was made to feel incompetent, at first, I tried harder. I didn’t understand then what I know now; some men aren’t meant to be part of a couple. The verbal abuse, which I finally acknowledged was what started it all, came at a time when I was grieving the loss of two of the best people I ever knew. By the time I recognized it for what it was, I was beaten down, so when the slaps started, I figured I must’ve deserved them.
“Earth to Livy,” Grace says, interrupting my thoughts. “Where’d you go, sweetheart?”
She may be our house mother, but she’s got her own psychology degree, which is one of the reasons she’s doing what she does for Hope House. Beth helps us break down where things went wrong so we can eradicate the false belief systems we had about ourselves, while Grace reinforces it with her motherly advice.
“I was thinking about my parents,” I admit wistfully. “I know they weren’t perfect because nobody is, but in reality, their relationship set the bar for what I wanted.”
“Then they died and that went to hell,” Marge murmurs, looking straight at me. “Because you were forced to live withhim. And he broke you down while you were hurting, which probably wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t died.”
“You’re right. I broke up with him in high school for a reason, but when Mom and Dad passed away, I had nowhere to go. They were both only children and my grandparents that were still alive were too old to take me in. I felt caught between a rock and a hard place.”
“Still, you got out of that situation and while you have lifelong mental scars from what he did to you, you had a good foundation from your parents to use as the litmus test for future relationships,” Ashley states. “I agree with Marge, which is a shocker, I know,” she teases, sticking her tongue out at Marge when she glares at her, “because I think BamBam is going to be yours and Theo’s future, Livy.”
Before I can respond, the doorbell rings. “I’ve got it,” Grace says, taking the potential threat against me seriously. “Y’all go ahead and clean up the kitchen so we can head out.”
“Thank you for taking me shopping,” I say as BamBam pulls into the parking lot of a huge strip mall. It’s got every kind of shop I might need, from the department store at the end, to a craft store and everything in between.
My list isn’t too big, but Theo needs new clothes and he’s gone up a size in his diapers. My plan is to grab a couple of totes so I can sort through his stuff. I want to keep a few things, of course, but the bulk of it is going to be left at Hope House for future residents who might have a need. I also need a few things for myself, including personal care products. I ran out last month, but that time is quickly approaching, so regardless of any embarrassment I might feel, I have to go to that section of the store.
“You’re welcome. Figured once we were done shopping, I’d show you the apartment over the laundromat, as well as the place where you’ll be working,” he replies.
“It’s okay for me to start working?” I ask, somewhat shocked.
“Jasper and his friends have left, but we’re not gonna presume that they’ll stay gone,” he says. “Instead, Pokey is increasing the security, and I’ll be teaching you how to defend yourself.”
I grin a little because the cast iron skilletdidwork, after all. Still, Jasper’s a lot bigger than me, and while I’ve been slowly regaining all the weight I lost, I’m no match against him. “Okay. I want to learn that because I can’t always guarantee a heavy object will be nearby.”
He snorts as he parks the truck we’re in, then he helps me out before he undoes the buckles on the carseat so he can carry Theo. Seeing my little boy snug against BamBam’s chest sends a flutter of something I refuse to acknowledge through my body, and I’m smiling as we walk into the store.
“We can use one of the carts that has a built-in seat for him,” I say.
“I’m good, Livy. Now, where do we need to go?” he asks as we walk through the automatic sliding doors.
“I uh, I’ve got to go to the health and beauty section first,” I admit. I figure if I bury those things at the bottom, maybe he won’t notice.
“Then lead the way,” he teases. “Gotta teach Theo how to shop with a woman. Start ‘em early and they’ll never complain. Much.”
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
BamBam
I manage to hide my grin when I see her stuff pads and tampons beneath the other beauty products she put in the cart. Once we’re an ‘us’, I’m going to make sure she knows that normal bodily functions are a part of life. Hell, I grew up around livestock, and have done my share of helping to birth new foals, for fuck’s sake. Still, it’s likely a byproduct of her time with Jasper. Based on what I know of the pussy, he probably made her feel bad or some shit.
“What’s next?” I ask as she puts some baby wash in the cart.
She looks down at the list in her hand, scratches through a few things, then says, “I need to go to the baby section. Someone has already outgrown most of the clothes we bought when I first came to town.”
My brows raise and I look at Theo who is still curled up against my chest, his hand clutching my cut as his mouth moves in his sleep. “Really?”
Her giggles have me grinning as she nods. “Yeah, he doesn’t miss a meal at all, and I guess since he’s no longer sensing the stress, he’s catching up to where he should’ve already been as far as milestones.”
