“Come on. We’ll get you something dry.”
The closest store was only a few minutes away.
Brad carried Molly inside.
For the first time since I had known him, he walked through a public place with his tattoos uncovered.
Nothing happened.
Nobody stared.
Nobody whispered.
Most people didn’t even notice.
Until we reached the children’s clothing aisle.
Brad reached toward a sweater.
Something dropped behind me.
A carton hit the tile.
I turned.
A woman stood several feet away.
She wasn’t looking at the carton.
She was staring directly at Brad.
More specifically, at one tattoo.
The crooked sunflower.
“Bradley?”
Brad’s hand stopped.
Slowly, he lowered his arm.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I think you’ve confused me with someone else.”
The woman stepped closer.
“No, I haven’t.”
Brad looked toward me.
“Hailey, let’s just find Molly some pants.”
“Bradley.”
Her voice shook this time.
