Chapter 7 Inks Game 7

Molly

I saw the lights first, flashing and welcoming as we crested the hill. Leaning forward between the two men blatantly ignoring each other, I sucked in a breath. And with that breath came the smells of the fair.

And most of it was good. Sugar and fried things I had never eaten. My mouth watered at it all. I couldn’t wait to try some of it. Even if my meagre budget wouldn’t allow me to try it all I wanted to at least taste it all. And Della deserved that as well. 

We would share, I’d make it special for her even if it meant that I didn’t eat for the next week.

In front of me Click stared stonily ahead. He hadn’t been his usual chatty self since I had opened my door and he had seen Ink.

I didn’t know what was going on between them but right at that second I didn’t really care. 

This was by far one of the most exciting nights of my life.

“Is this really your first fair little bird ?” Twisting in his seat, Ink eyed me. I blushed and gave thanks that the interior of the car was dark.

“Yeah. Where we are from. Fairs are not a big thing.” I settled back, pushing down my excitement. Grown women didn’t get excited over things like this. I reminded myself. 

Ink studied me for a second, dark eyebrows low over his eyes. “Well I am sure we can make your first time memorable.”

Next to him Click grunted. 

I couldn’t help it I blushed. It was such a innocent thing to say but it didn’t sound innocent.

“It’s not my first time.” I blurted.

There was a pause, where both Ink and Click turned to me. Shock on both their faces. Then Click laughed. “We get that Molly. You have a kid. I don’t think that’s what Ink meant.”

Blushing scarlet I scooted back as far as I could go. Of course they hadn’t meant it that way. I didn’t know why I had even said it. 

Embarrassed I didn’t say a word as we pulled into the lot. And that was ok because everything assaulted my senses all at once.

I couldn’t take it all in. The sights, the sounds. The smells.

Ink opened the door for us and we scuttled out. It was so busy , like the whole city had come down to celebrate the devils night.

I grabbed hold of Dellas hand. Keeping a tight grip on it as I tried to take in everything in front of me. Only it was impossible.

“Hey.” Ink was suddenly in front of me. Bending down without warning he scooped Della up. Depositing her squeaking on to his shoulders. “You ok?” He asked me, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded mutely. Still embarrassed about my earlier outburst.

“Click was just teasing you little bird. He didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He smiled and I couldn’t help it. I smiled as well.

“Can we go?” Two metres away Click kicked the gravel. Sending up little plumes of dust. My smile faded.

“Is he mad at me?” I asked slowly falling into step with Ink whilst Click stomped on ahead.

“Would it bother you if he was?”

I didn’t answer that.

Ink sighed. “He doesn’t do well in a cage.”

I flicked my eyes in his direction. “I have no idea what that means.”

Inks chuckle hit me somewhere in the stomach. Unlike when Click laughed at me, he didn’t sound like he was mocking me.

“A car little bird. Just our name for a car. We are all more comfortable on our bikes.”

“Then why-“

“We can’t put you or pip squeak on a bike.” He nudged me with his shoulder.  “And we wanted to show you the fair. Have some good old fashioned family fun. And not the kind you mentioned in the car.” 

Now he was teasing me.

I nudged him right back. “I think he got mad because you came along.”

Throwing back his head Ink boomed out a laugh. “Oh he definitely got mad because I crashed your ‘not’ date. Click is used to getting what he wants.”

“And I’m what he wants?” I stumbled over my words. Click was like a blond god. Gorgeous and sexy. It didn’t make any sense that he liked me.

“For now.” He said cryptically. 

I took another step, lost in my own thoughts and that’s when it hit me.

“Oh darn it.”

Inks feet slowed. His eyebrow raised in a silent question.

“I forgot my purse. How am I going to buy you both a hot dog without it.”

“You don’t need to pay for anything tonight. It’s my treat.” Ink didn’t even hesitate.but catching my look he sighed.

“Click, Molly needs the keys. She forgot something.”

A set of keys flew through the air and Ink caught them easily. “Do you want me to come with you?” He asked, deadly serious.

I shook my head. “The car is right there. I won’t be more than a few minutes.”

Ink looked like he was going to argue but at the last minute he thought better of it. “Me and Della will wait right here.”

My daughter nodded her approval.

Jogging away, I weaved between the cars in search of my missing purse and it was right where I had left it. On the back seat.

Grabbing it, I was about to straighten when I heard the crunch of gravel behind me.

Smiling to myself , I shook my head. “You didn’t need to come check on me Ink. I’m a big girl-“

“Hello sister.”

My back snapped straight so quickly that I bumped my head on the car door. It hurt but it wasn’t the pain that made my breath catch in my throat. 

“The fathers have been looking for you.” The male behind me said softly.  There was absolutely no threat in his voice. But I wanted to run away screaming and hide somewhere.

He wasn’t meant to be here. None of them were meant to find me so quickly.

“Will you not look at me Sister Mary.”

I trembled, wrapping my arms around myself. “Molly. I go by Molly now.”

He audibly scoffed. “You can call yourself whatever you want. The Lord knows who you are.”

Slowly I turned to him. Tilting my chin defiantly even if my lips were trembling. “What are you doing here brother Ezekiel?”