Chapter Eighteen #2
After making sure I have enough food, cereal, formula, and more diapers, I leave the baby aisle and head for the freezer section.
I want ice cream today. My eyes keep darting around as I walk slowly up the ice cream freezers and search for ones I love and new ones that look good enough to try.
I also think of Tucker and if he’s ever mentioned liking one kind of ice cream over another and can’t think of anything he’s said.
I end up grabbing four varieties of it, hoping we’ll both have something we like.
I mean, I will because there’s a carton of my favorite in the cart as I also grab a box of popsicles.
Glancing in the cart, I make sure I have everything I want to pick up for the day until Tucker and I can come up with a plan so I can run errands like grocery shopping.
For now, as long as we have something for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack or two, I’ll be happy.
Plus, Bridger has everything he’ll need for a few days as I quickly head for the front of the store so I can pay and head back to the house.
I find the shortest line and keep looking around to ensure Dillon hasn’t been following me around while he waits to make his move.
I haven’t felt as if anyone has been behind me while I’ve been in the store, but it doesn’t mean anything.
My senses don’t always work the way they should apparently after the shit with Camden.
I unload everything from the cart and move up with the customer in front of me as she pays for her groceries and waits for her change.
The second it’s my turn, I move my cart to the end of the register and bag them as the cashier scans each item.
My eyes still dart around the store and over my shoulder as the young girl senses my need to get out of here and starts to move faster.
By the time she’s got everything scanned, I have it all bagged and in the cart as I move back to slide my card through the reader and grab my receipt.
I leave with a small smile to the cashier.
Again, I scan the parking lot and surrounding area for any sign of Dillon as I power walk to my car.
I usually wouldn’t bring the cart out with me, but I want to keep my hands free if something happens.
I’ll use the damn cart as a weapon if I have to because Dillon is vile and doesn’t have any boundaries so I’ll have to think like him if I want to get away.
Getting to my car, I use the button on my key fob to open the trunk once I’m close.
I quickly unload the bags and close the trunk before walking the cart two spots down to one of those cart corrals.
Turning, I race back to my car. Just as I get to the driver’s side, my head is yanked back and I’m pressed against a body.
Body odor and the smell of something vile fills my nose as I gag in response.
“I finally caught you,” Dillon growls in my ear as I try to wrench my body out of his hold. “You think you can take my fuckin’ son from me? You’re dead wrong, fucking slut!”
“Help!” I scream out as I realize my phone is in my hand and not in my purse. I kept it out with Tucker’s name pulled up and ready to call. Pressing the button, I frantically look around for anyone to help me get away from Dillon. “Someone help me!”
“Shut the fuck up, Bitch!” Dillon yells as his spittle lands on the side of my face and I shrink back in disgust and almost throw up in the parking lot.
“No one is comin’ to save your pathetic ass.
I’m gonna take you with me so I can beat the fuck out of you every fuckin’ day as I torment you to the point you start to beg for death.
Then, you’ll take me to get my son so I can bring him home. Do you fuckin’ understand me?”
“I’ll never give Bridger to you, Dillon.
You’re a vile piece of shit who doesn’t deserve anything to do with that precious baby boy.
Do your fucking worst!” I say, trying to stall for time so I can find someone to save me from this stupid fucker.
I smile as I think of what Nora would call Dillon in this situation.
He’d be a stupid twatapotamus or something equally ridiculous.
Just as I hear the sound of Tucker’s voice on my phone, Dillon punches me in the side of my head and I can’t help the scream I let go.
Part of it’s from the pain he manages to inflict, part is shock because the hit lands harder than I thought it would, and another part is trying to get the attention of anyone who might be in the parking lot.
Or to let Tucker know something is definitely wrong and I need help.
If I can’t send a message to him, then he’ll get the hint from my scream.
“Shut the fuck up!” I hear Dillon yell louder than before as he yanks my phone from my hand and I hear it shatter on the ground somewhere.
I’m having a hard time seeing straight as my vision starts to fade from the hit.
I guess one to the temple will have that effect on a person.
Or maybe it’s just me. Still, I try to remain awake as Dillon starts to drag me away from my car.
I hit the alarm button on my key fob in one last attempt to gain the attention of someone.
I’m not sure if it works as Dillon hits me three more times and I finally lose consciousness.