continued from Part I

"This fort isn't for baby nine-year olds," Robert announced, fully realizing this was something only a much more immature person would say. His taunting continued in this manner for some time, as Jason tried to make his way up the yellow plastic rungs. Robert could only recall how easy it was to push the boy from the ladder once his foot was planted on his weaker friend's chest. Reliving it now gave him a sense of power still, which could not help but nudge aside the remorse. Jason suppressed his review of the afternoon's calamity by returning to Mrs. Laffont's hemline. The automatic doors of the Safeway swung open as her cork-heeled shoes stepped swiftly across the black rubber.

A man near Mrs. Laffont's age approached on the exit-side with a case of Root Beer under his arm. He had just put his sunglasses on, even though he was still in the store. Robert made another effort to catch up with Mrs. Laffont as the man with the root beer drew beside him.

"Your mom is HOT," said the man quietly as he went through the doors. It wasn't whispered, but it seemed about as quiet -- like a normal voice, just with the volume turned down. Robert was a bit stunned, watching the man pass. He knew there was no reason to explain to this wasn't his mom. It seemed like a strange thing to say even if she was. The man smiled -- maybe even winked -- then strolled out into the haze of the early evening.

As Robert made it into the store, there was a sense of pride inside his heart. He liked the idea of Mrs. Laffont as his mom, and the idea that she was "HOT." Mrs. Laffont glanced back to check on the boy now in her stead, the one who had given her son an upturned scar on his cheek. It would make Jason look as if he was forever smiling like a clown, although he would seldom feel anything but unease and distrust of those around him for years to come.

Robert could not keep from exposing his pride with a wide grin. He reached for a bookbag strap which wasn't there and hurried to Mrs. Laffont who extracted a shopping cart with a firm but graceful tug. As she saw Robert was catching up, her mouth revealed the same lack of expression as usual. If anything, it was a slight frown. Robert wondered if she ever kissed Jason good-night like his mom used to. He was not looking forward to hearing what his parents had to say about today. On the other hand, it was not going to be fun riding back from the hospital. He wondered why he had agreed to stay with the Laffonts this long.

Mrs. Laffont strolled into the produce section with Robert in tow. She pulled up next to the corn, dug into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper which looked like a list and then a pen.

Robert's foot had been on his best friend's chest for what seemed like forever. At one point Jason said something that made Robert laugh. But he could not remember where the discussion had turned. It was all quickly erased by the screaming and running and the split-second decisions that followed. It didn't matter, he was sure Jason would tell him tomorrow. It would be useful to prepare some kind of excuse, though, should any accusations actually be made. Mrs. Laffont added something to her list. As she brought the pen up to her lips, engrossed with all the details of tomorrow's party, Robert gazed openly at the her, embracing the thought this could be any day with his mom. He wondered if Jason knew what she looked like naked.

Mrs. Laffont scratched out an item and then scratched another violently. The paper began to tear. She crumpled up the list and threw it into the bag. Robert had never seen Mrs. Laffont like this.

"I'm sorry Robert, but I think... Maybe this isn't such a great idea. I think we should just call the party off for tomorrow. Don't you?" Robert wasn't sure what to say. He felt this definitely made some sense, especially since Jason hated him right now. "Come on, we can at least get the cake while we're here."

"Mrs. Laffont?" asked Robert as the woman began putting the pen back in her bag.

"Yes dear?" said the woman.

"Do you think you could drop me off at my house on the way back to the hospital? My parents, um..."

"Sure," said Mrs. Laffont sternly and without hesitation. "Can you take this cart and put it back?"

"Okay," said Robert. Mrs. Laffont whisked past him as he grabbed the cart and snapped her head up, regaining her dignified demeanor once more. Robert wheeled the cart around quickly in pursuit, but bumped into a stand stacked high with peaches, sending about two dozen tumbling to the floor. Robert scrambled down to get them before they got away. One of the peaches had split open it was so ripe. Robert bent slightly further to smell the distinct scent. The flavor rushed back to him.

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