Dissolve (18 page)

“Okay navigator, where do I go now?” I asked Noah.

“We can take highway 470 and stop in Independence. They should have everything we need there. It is up just ahead five miles.”

“Five miles is like thirty minutes in this traffic, yuck. But it is the nearest exit so I am in agreement. I definitely need a Starbucks. My head is beginning to pound from caffeine withdrawal,” I pouted.

We slowly crawled through traffic and made it on to the exit for Independence. I sighed in relief and began to search for the nearest Starbucks.

“Take the first exit, there is a Starbucks to the left and a Target as well.”

I followed Noah’s instruction and made the first exit. I was so focused on getting my Starbucks that I almost ran a red light and ended up sitting in the middle of the intersection at a dead stop just inches from the turning cars.

“Cora, you are going to kill us! I say Noah takes over the driving and you navigate,” Nessa said.

“Besides, you never were the best driver,” she added.

“Fine, after I get my coffee though,” I conceded.

The light turned green and I made my way to the parking lot at Starbucks. There was a collective sigh of relief as we pulled to a stop and everyone climbed out of the rusty mustang.

Chapter 16:

I opted for a vanilla latte and Nessa got her usual. Everyone ordered their various choices and Noah picked up the tab. I sighed in contentment as I sipped the warm sweet espresso drink. Noah looked over and gave me a smile. His smiles were working more and more on me. I felt guilty though and every time I stopped to enjoy him, my mind reeled back to Tom. I knew that he was dead, but I was still grieving for him. It still felt like he was with me somehow.

I looked down and realized I was still wearing my engagement ring and shook my hand in distress as I fought back the tears. Nessa noticed me and came over to wrap her arms around me. “Oh honey, it will be alright, I promise.”

I gave her a wan smile and we made our way out of Starbucks, the others trailing behind. We all got back into the mustang and Noah took over the driving as promised. The sky was overcast and promised rain in the near future. I rolled the window down and let the sticky summer air wash over me as I tried to calm myself down.

I looked out the window in silence as we made our way down the street to the nearest Target. No one really said much until we had managed to make it to Target.

“I say us girls get Mia clothes and you guys can get some food and miscellaneous items we need,” Nessa said.

“That sounds like a plan. I want to get some toiletries and maybe another bag for our increasing amount of stuff,” Shane replied.

We parted ways and watched as the men headed off with their cart towards the luggage section before making a move. Nessa and I needed to get Mia about two to three outfits and a pair of pajamas. She also needed a good pair of shoes. Black pumps were not real practical.

“Let’s start with shoes. We need to get you a more practical pair of flats or something,” I suggested.

“I just need a pair of cheap black flats. They will go with just about anything that I pick out. Black happens to be my favorite color.”

Nessa and I were surprised at her confession. We never figured a churchy southern girl for a Goth. “That should be easy enough,” I told her as we made our way back to the shoe section.

We browsed through the isle of flats and Mia settled on a pair of cute black flats with a small bow in the corner. They were a little more girlish than I expected but we had yet to see her wardrobe choices.

Mia turned out to be a quick and efficient shopper. She picked out a pair of black and grey plaid pajama shorts and a matching black tee in two minutes flat. In the intimates section she grasped a matching pair of black bra and panties before reaching for a soft pink set as well. Then she flittered over to the clothing section and headed for the rack of skinny jeans. She pulled out a pair of black ones and a pair of faded blue jeans.

“Okay, I just need to find a few shirts and I am good,” Mia said.

“You are the fastest shopper I have ever been shopping with,” Nessa admitted.

Mia gave a crooked smile. “I am a low maintenance kind of girl I guess.”

She pulled a teal frock off the rack and added it to her selections. It was really cute and I began to realize how easy her sense of style came to her. I was actually a little jealous. It took me forever to find anything cute that worked for me.

“How about this one,” Mia asked as she held up a grey eyelet tank to show us.

“Really cute, you should definitely get it,” I replied.

Mia seemed pleased with my answer and added it to her cache of clothes. She quickly skimmed the isles and settled on a red baby doll top. Then she turned to us and just said, “All finished.”

A magenta tee with loose sleeves caught my eye and I knew it would look perfect on me. I grab it and gave Nessa a pleading look.

“Yeah, yeah you can’t wear all my clothes forever I guess,” she said but with a small grin and a twinkle in her eyes.

At the concession, I surged ahead with another request. “I would really love my own bra and underwear as well. I can’t exactly continue on one set of yours.”

“All right, let’s head back to the intimates section again. You get two sets and hurry.”

Mia and Nessa trailed me as I stepped back into the section and quickly searched through my choices. I wanted something sexy and flirty, but practical. I grabbed a black and white plaid matching set with black laced underwear. The second one I picked up was a little more innocent but equally sexy. I grabbed a white lace bra and matching lace panties, leaving not much to the imagination.

“I think these will do,” I said as I lifted them up for Nessa to see.

“Wow, those are bold choices. I have to give you props for the self-confidence to wear those in a group like this,” Nessa replied with a wink.

She knew exactly why I picked those particular sets out and I couldn’t believe it myself. I shouldn’t have, but I had the strongest desire to look daring. I ended up naked all the time anyways, might as well have something sexy to step back into.

“Okay, it is time to toss all this in a cart and meet up with the boys. I am scared to think what they call food. We may have to veto some items and add more,” I said, changing the subject.

It didn’t take us long to find the guys. They were still looking for nonperishable food items and had managed to fill the cart. Items like potato chips, hostess snack cakes and water jam-packed the cart.

“You know, their fruit snacks are actually made of real fruit. We could use the nutrients given your choices. The water is a good call though,” I told them.

“Good point, any other items you ladies want?” Shane asked.

“Red vines, nuts and Gatorade,” Mia added.

“I could go for some animal crackers and peanut butter and jelly for sandwiches,” Nessa offered.

“Don’t forget the plastic silverware and plates,” I said.

“Okay, just add them to the cart. It looks like you got the clothing all sorted out,” Noah noted. There was a glint in his eyes as he spotted the intimates in the cart, but he didn’t comment.

“Oh and we got three duffel bags. We got one for food and two more for me and Mia,” Shane said.

The men just kind of stood there while we went and got our choices of food and piled them onto a heap in the cart. I felt kind of like a teenager on a road trip with a bunch of friends. Even though the situation was serious, it was crazy to think about how close we had all gotten. Even Mia was becoming just one of the girls.

I juggled the last of my items and a box of fruit snacks slipped from my grip. I dumped the rest in the cart and looked down to find that Mia had actually caught it.

“How on earth did you just do that so fast?” I asked her.

“I am not sure. I just saw it slipping and then I caught it.”

“Think fast,” I said as I tossed another box at her.

She caught it with one swift movement before it even came close to her. “Holy smokes,” she said in amazement.

“I think we just found your ability, super human reflexes,” Shane said.

“Cool, I am so glad I have something. I was beginning to think I was immune. That is awesome,” Mia added.

“Let’s get the toiletries and get the heck out of here before someone notices us after that little show,” I said changing the subject.

“We need toothpaste, soap, aspirin and ponytail holders,” I added.

“We need an electric razor, shower gel and deodorant,” Noah said.

It took a few minutes, but everyone found their items in record time and we headed for the checkout. I threw in a few packs of gum for good measure and we waited for our total. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. Our bill totaled about three hundred dollars but we got a heck of a lot of supplies. Noah swiped his credit card before we could offer to pay. We thanked the cashier and pushed the cart towards the car.

Mia stopped us before we made it out of the store. “I want to use the restroom and change out of these clothes and into one that I purchased if it is okay. I feel kind of like a hobo in these pants.”

“Sure, we will wait right here,” I told her.

After a few minutes, she stepped out and I couldn’t believe how different she looked. She was wearing her skinny black jeans, black flats and her red baby doll tee. Mia looked great as well as practical. Throw a necklace on her and she was ready for just about anything, I thought trying not to let my twinge of jealousy show.

We finally made our way out of the store and to the car. After unloading everything we decided we were all starving and decided on sandwiches. Noah and I made them on the hood of the car and passed them out to everyone. Then we grabbed a bag of chips and some drinks. Everyone was quiet as we ate, all of us really hungry. Once finished, Mia had a perplexed look on her face.

“What’s up Mia?” I asked.

“If the end of the world is coming and we are financing a car, can’t we buy a decent one at least?”

“Valid point,” Shane agreed.

“Fine, Cora and I can go to the bookstore while you are shopping for a new vehicle. The title is in the glove box,” Nessa said.

“Maybe we can find something that will give us a clue to what is happening,” I added.

We drove over to the bookstore and I pulled back the seat to let Nessa out. Standing there on the sidewalk, I watched and waved as they pulled away in the rusted out purple mustang that we would never see again. I didn’t think it would bother me, but it sadness over its loss washed over me.

As soon as they were out of sight, Nessa grabbed my arm and led me inside.

“We have a lot to talk about,” she said in a hushed tone.

“I agree, this situation is getting insane,” I replied.

“Let’s grab a seat at one of the café tables and catch up. This mind reading thing processes a lot of information.”

“Whose mind have you been reading?” I asked as we pulled up chairs at a small round café table in the corner.

“I have been reading everyone’s, there is no filter.”

“Oh, I see. Who do you want to start with then?” I asked.

“I am worried about you. I can feel the pain you insist on inflicting on yourself. Tom is gone. You can’t change that even though I wish we could. I know you are grieving, but at some point you have to accept it and move on. These are the people you will likely spend your life with. We were all thrown in so far as I can foresee we will all be sticking together, us being genetic freaks and all.”

“I know Tom is gone,” I said tersely.

“Don’t get defensive; I am just merely pointing out the facts. I love you and it pains me to see you hurting like this.”

“It is clear that you and Noah have excellent chemistry. Don’t let him slip through your fingers because you are holding on to a ghost,” she added.

“If he likes me that much then he will be patient with me. I am just not ready.”

“Can we change the subject? How are you faring now with Mia around to fight for Shane’s attention?” I added.

“Ugh, it sucks. She is just so low maintenance and carefree. It is hard to compete. I don’t know what I should do,” Nessa replied.

“Try taking your own advice and make your move before he slips through your fingers.”

“I just don’t want to isolate Mia and make her feel like the odd man out on this journey. We may need her to help with her cousin. Besides, she is one of us now and we can’t alienate her at this point. At this rate, we will find more of us to add to our merry band of misfits before this situation is over and then I will make my move on Shane.”

“Fine, I see your point. Speaking of Mia, what does she think of all this change?” I asked.

“She mainly just feels shame for her cousins actions mixed with grief for her family. She is curious as well.”

“Can we trust her?” I implored.

“Absolutely, she has resolved to help us in any way possible to make up for Stephan’s actions.”

“I know you say you don’t want to fight for Shane right now, but what does he think of all the attention?” I asked Nessa.