Page 98 of One Impossible Moment
Some days, she wondered if she'd ever conquer her fear of losing him.
She was halfway through ringing up a customer when Amy appeared in her line, waving like she'd spotted a long-lost friend.
"Hey, Kallie."Amy dropped a container of gum and a bottle of water on the conveyor."You wanna walk with me after you get off?"
Kallie opened her mouth to give her usual answer—no—but stopped.Finn wouldn't be home for another hour.She could squeeze in a half-hour walk.It might even make the time pass faster.
"Actually, I'm getting off work," she said, surprising herself."I'd love to walk with you.Can you give me a half hour to clock out here, get home, and change my clothes?"
"Sure."Amy grinned."I'll meet you outside the apartment in half an hour."
The next twenty minutes flew by.Kallie closed out her till, handed the envelope to her manager, and headed straight for the frozen food section.She grabbed a tub of vanilla ice cream and a bottle of chocolate syrup, then paid quickly before stepping out into the warm evening air.
Since Finn started working, they'd been able to put all his wages into the savings account.At night, after making love, they'd stay awake and talk about their dream house.Neither one of them had lofty ideas.They wanted something to call their own, about the size of the house Finn had in Everstill.
More than a house, she wanted his boots by a wood stove and their laughter in the kitchen.They'd share dinner every night and stay in bed on their days off.
Her heart fluttered at the thought.
At home, she tucked the groceries into the freezer, scribbled a quick note for Finn in case he got back early, and changed into shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers.The evening was warm, the kind of soft summer heat that put everyone in a better mood and gave her more energy at the end of the day.
Amy was waiting on the front step, stretching her calves, when Kallie stepped out of the apartment.Kallie pulled her hair back into a low ponytail and slipped on a hairband.
"Ready?"Amy rubbed her hands together.
"Yeah," Kallie said, locking the door behind her."I used to walk every day and haven't done much lately.I miss it."
They set off down the sidewalk, their footsteps soon falling into sync.Kallie wasn't sure what to talk about with Amy.She'd lived next door to her for two years but barely knew anything about her beyond the occasional greeting or invitation.
Amy didn't seem to mind filling the silence.
"So, I work at the bowling alley five days a week.Well, three days and two nights," she said, swinging her water bottle."You bowl?"
Kallie shook her head."No, I've never bowled before."
Amy stopped mid-stride."Never?Everyone bowls as a kid."
Kallie shrugged."I grew up in foster care.Guess I missed that rite of passage."
"Oh.Well, we'll fix that.I'll take you sometime."Amy's expression softened."Sorry about your childhood."
Kallie smiled politely, unsure what to say.As a child, other kids made fun of her for being a foster kid.As an adult, she found people were prone to pitying her, which made her uncomfortable.
It was the life that was given to her.She accepted that there was nothing she could've done to change the past.
Finn never made her feel different about how she was raised.He was the one bright spot in her childhood.She might not have learned to bowl, but she had Finn.What ten-year-old could say that?
"So does your man bowl?"Amy asked.
Kallie hesitated."I don't know.We've never talked about it.I'll have to ask him."
They walked a little farther, the conversation drifting to Amy's job, her coworkers, and the weird customers she dealt with.Kallie nodded along, trying to stay present, but her mind kept drifting back to Finn.To the way he walked into the apartment each night, grabbed her by the front of her shirt, dragged her to him, and kissed her deeply.
Then he'd hold her all night.
She picked up her pace, eager to get home to see if he was already off work.Amy laughed and hurried beside her, probably believing her purpose was to get in better shape, not her obsessive need to be with Finn.
They turned the corner onto their street when a shimmer caught her eye.Kallie stopped dead.
