Page 21 of Bad Husband

By the end of the day, Chiara was ready to go home. She refused a ride from Marco, and instead made her way via walking.

He stayed close behind her, keeping a safe distance, but always in his sights. She ignored him, focusing on the walk as she made her way through the trailer park. A couple of the kids called her name, as they showed her some mad skills with a skipping rope, or a Hula-Hoop. She clapped her hands, and when one of the little girls rushed toward her and handed her the Hula-Hoop, she looked at it, a little unsure what to do with it.

They looked expectant, and Marco already drove past, going to his trailer. There was a small pen out for the dogs, along with plenty of shade and water. It was not ideal, but it was also the best solution rather than being locked up in the trailer all day.

She put her bag on the ground and stepped into the Hula-Hoop. “I’ve got to warn you, Sarah, I do not know what I’m doing.”

Sarah clapped her hands and told her it was going to be fun. She was five years old and starting school in late August.

Thrusting her hips front and back, and side to side, she couldn’t help but laugh, as the Hula-Hoop stayed up for a few seconds, then fell down her body. She laughed, tried a few more times, and the other kids came around. It wasn’t long before they were showing her how to Hula-Hoop. She watched them clapping at their antics, loving how fearless they were, and just so damn cute.

Their mothers soon came out, and started to tell them to wind it up, because dinner was on the way. She gave them a wave and made her way back to her trailer.

“Very good,” Marco said.

“I tried. I’ve just never done it before,” she said, stepping into her trailer. It was not an invitation for him to follow, although he did anyway.

“Do you want me to get you a Hula-Hoop so you can practice a little more?”

She sighed and turned. “This is not your trailer.”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do something nice and neighborly.”

“What is it going to take for you to leave me alone?” she asked.

“A chance.”

“A chance?”

“Yes.” She looked at him and shook her head. “No.”

“Then, a Hula-Hoop will be on its way to you shortly.”

“You don’t have to do this, Marco,” she said.

“What are you doing for dinner tonight?” he asked.

“I’ve got some noodles.”

“Not exactly nutritious.”

“Beats ice cream,” she said. Although, it didn’t matter how unhealthy ice cream was, in the hot summer months, it was the only thing that would do.

He rolled his eyes. “How about I order us a couple of pizzas?”

“And you think that is better than noodles?”

“Yes, and you can even have company as you eat it,” he said.

She sighed. Pizza did sound good. She’d not eaten pizza in a long time. Usually at the diner, there was never any leftover pizza.

“You’re close to caving,” he said. “What about garlic bread? Sprinkled with parmesan just the way you like?”

“One pizza,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean anything.”

He nodded. “It does not mean anything. It is just pizza we’re going to share.”

“Out in the open at the table. It is not going to be in either of our trailers,” she said.