Page 65 of Silver Tears

“Yuck!” Charlie shouts. “That’s disgusting.”

I smile against her lips, and she fights a giggle. “Trust me, it’s not disgusting and one day you’ll want to do this with a girl you like.”

Charlie pulls a disgusted face, his brow wrinkling. “Ugh, no I won’t. Girls are annoying.”

I reluctantly release Mills, and Chops comes up between us and takes each of our hands as we walk back to where we left our belongings. We sit down on the beach, and I pull out my phone and snap a photo of the three of us. I can’t post it, of course, but I just want to capture this moment. I’m the king of fun and mischief, and today has been a day I want to remember.

“We should head back,” Milly announces, and a silence falls over our little group.

None of us wants to return to reality. I wish we could just stay here and keep Charlie with us.

“I don’t like Lenny,” Charlie announces, putting out his bottom lip and scowling.

“I know buddy,” I say, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him into my side. “He can’t hurt you while we’re around though and if ever you feel scared, you just go straight to Peggy’s, okay?”

He nods his head and looks out at the sea. Mills and I share a look. Tears threaten to spill from her eyes. I reach over with my other hand and stroke the back of her head. I'll do whatever it takes to keep this kid and his sister safe.

We head to Gina’s for some food on our way back and Chops soon has a smile on his face again when he has a chocolate milkshake in front of him. I insist we call in the supermarket and stock up on supplies. Despite Milly’s protests that she’ll pay, when we reach the till, I take out my card and tell her not to argue. I give her my car keys and tell her to get Chops settled in the car.

“Can I check how much is on the tab?”

She pulls out a little black book from under the counter and flips through the pages.

“Nothing. It’s all gone.”

I blink. Wait, what?

“What’s she been buying?”

The lady hesitates. “Alcohol and vapes.”

I nod my head. Of course she has. Instead of feeding her son, she’s filling her body with poison. “I’ll put another two hundred on the tab, but Wendy,” I warn, reading her name badge, “I need assurance that no one will serve her alcohol.”

Wendy nods her head and assures me she’ll make sure the other staff know as well. Reassured, I leave armed with bags of food and drinks. When we reach the house, it’s in darkness. Mill’s face is a mix of relief and disappointment. They didn't shut the front door properly, leaving the house unsecured, which is not recommended in this neighbourhood.

We enter inside and, sure enough, they aren’t here. Which means we can’t leave. Milly picks up some of the empty cans. I walk over to her and reach for her wrist.

“Leave it.” I turn my attention to Charlie. “Hey Chops, get your things. We’re going on an adventure tonight.”

“We are?” His downcast face transforms into a happy one.

“Yep, go get some PJs, your slippers, teddies, and a book.” I watch as he skips off upstairs to his room, singing to himself that he’s going on an adventure.

“What are you doing?” Milly asks me. She stands in the middle of this dirty house, her arms wrapped around her middle, looking so lost and tired.

“Call Rubes and get her to cover for you. We’re not staying in this shithole tonight.” I growl, staring around us at the littered floor.

“Where will we go? We can’t go back to the Bay?”

I nod my head. “I know we can’t. Which is why we’re going to drive back to Blue Ridge and book a hotel room.”

Mills chews on her lip, looking uncomfortable. “I can’t let you keep paying for us like this.”

I close the distance between us and tip her chin up with my finger, forcing her to look at me. “It’s just money precious, and I have plenty of it. Too much, in fact.”

“I’ll pay every penny back,” she insists, staring up at me.

“No, you won’t,” I argue back. “We’ll talk about this another day, okay?”

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