Free Crimson Footprints II: New Beginnings by Shewanda Pugh

piece of bacon wrapped around it, just like on TV. 
    ~*~
    Tak and Deena had a vacation home at the resort, a three-bedroom waterfront cottage at Disney’s Boardwalk Villa. During the drive up, Deena bought the Florida resident tickets over the phone and arranged with Human Resources to be out of work for the week. She knew Kenji would be relieved.
    Despite Mia and Tony’s insistence that they visit the Magic Kingdom the night of their arrival, Deena ordered pizza and a movie and made them settle instead. They would rise early and start out for the park, but that evening they would just enjoy each other’s company.
    Tony’s lack of fussiness bothered Deena. When they bought clothes, whatever she and Tak picked up was just right for him. When they ordered pizza, whatever toppings they chose were just right for him. And the next day, as they planned their route at the park, whatever rides they wanted to try were just fine by him.
    Tak told her not to push it, that it was a matter of him getting comfortable. Once he did, he reasoned, they would know what he really wanted and didn’t want. Until then, they’d just have to guess. But since Deena was so worried that Tony might not enjoy himself, Tak insisted they try all the rides.
    They spent Monday in the Magic Kingdom, reining Mia in as she tried to dominate all choices as the once supreme and only child. She wanted Snow White’s Scary Adventures, a Mad Teacup ride, a view of the parade, and a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, all at once. Deena fussed at her, but Tak was always of the mind to give her whatever she wanted.
    Partway through the day, when Deena took Mia for her customary princess makeover, Tak dragged the severely grown-up Tony down to The Pirates League, where they both returned made over as swashbucklers. While Tak wasn’t the type to usually get into costume, it had been a must to persuade Tony that as an eleven-year-old, he was not too old for the treat. All in all, a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and Mickey Mouse pancakes at the Contemporary Resort, four hours of rides, a hurried lunch of hamburgers and chicken fingers, and five more hours of rides, meant that they returned to their room with a whining, fussy, and disheveled Mia and the rest near-dead.
    Deena made sure the kids showered as Tak ordered takeout. Junk again, she noted in dismay. This night the kids ate in silence, never bothering with a movie, before collapsing into bed at ten thirty. Tak tucked Mia in, while Deena stood by impotently, trying to make sure Tony had everything he needed. Eventually, she found the courage to come closer.
    He smiled up at her as she pulled back the covers and allowed him to slip in. Golden eyes weighty, he watched as she pulled the red quilt up high on his shoulders and smoothed it out with a hand.
    “You’re tucking me in,” he said, eyes droopy, still smiling. “I thought that only happened on TV.”
    “Not exclusively,” she murmured and bit back a smile. Gingerly, she sat on the edge of the bed.
    “No ‘good night’?” he said.
    “I’m not ready to leave you, just yet.”
    He was so Anthony, she thought, right down to the smile, and she had to stop herself from needing to touch his face, endlessly.
    “You look so much like him,” she whispered.
    “I know,” Tony said, eyes fluttering closed.
    “Thank you,” Deena said.
    He snored in response.
     

     

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    Lizzie ambled from the drop-top Audi, heels in her hands and sunrise at her back, aware of the stares that followed. Mike, who sold shit-quality crack on her block, eyed her with a smirk. Pooch, the wig-skewed drag queen who camped out nightly on Lizzie’s stoop, shifted to one side, allowing her a wide enough berth to cross.
    “Don’t forget to give Snow his cut,” Pooch jeered and jabbed the cigarette in her mouth.
    “Fuck you,” Lizzie said and ventured into the hall.
    Up three stories and through a series of locks she went. She found Kit at home and working.
    A