Free Beautiful Girls by Gary S. Griffin Page A

Garrett. This is I-10 and the exit we came off. Here’s the supermarket. It opens at 8 AM. They rent videos. There’s a bookstore next to it.”
    â€œThanks Peter.”
    â€œI’m heading back to L.A. Let’s talk tomorrow, say around 2 PM, OK?”
    I said, “Sure.”
    â€œWe’ll discuss your plans.”
    â€œSounds good.”
    Lomita said, “Oh, I almost forgot the most important thing. I spoke to Jim Towers; he’s the sheriff in this town and Desert Center, which is five miles northwest of here. He lives in Desert Center. He and his men will check the place every few hours. Jim will stop by tomorrow at noon. Jim and his deputies drive white sedans with a gold star on the doors.”
    â€œOK, thanks.”
    Lomita pointed to the side wall. Your neighbors next door are a retired couple; Dot and Charlie. They’re great people. Both are a little hard of hearing. I spoke to them and gave them the lowdown. Have Edie meet Dot. She’ll do anything for your lady and the girl.”
    â€œYou’ve been very kind to us.”
    â€œYou all need a break, Garrett, especially the ladies.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œBe careful Mr. Private Eye.” He said as he walked out the door.
    I kicked off my sneakers, uncapped a Heineken and sat on the couch. Minutes later Edie returned to the living room and sat next to me.
    â€œStevie, Lieutenant Lomita was really generous letting us use his place.”
    â€œYes, he was. How’re you doing, baby?”
    â€œOK. My emotions are crazy and I’m exhausted, but we’re safe and I’m with you and Tawny.”
    â€œI feel the same way. We’re in the middle of the nowhere out here in the desert.”
    â€œYes, but we’re safe, Stevie. That’s what we need.”
    I stopped talking and hugged her.
    Edie said, “Don’t leave us tomorrow. Wait ’til the next day, promise?”
    â€œOK, I promise. We’ll talk tomorrow. Let’s go to bed now.”
    We looked in the little bedroom. Tawny was sound asleep. We gently shut her door. By the time I finished brushing my teeth and stripping down to my underwear, Edie was similarly undressed and turning down the bed covers.
    Later, I realized I was learning to sleep while being held by my petite beauty.
    ***
    I woke to a sunny day. I unintentionally woke Edie because I was feeling her belly.
    Edie whispered, “Did you feel anything?”
    â€œFeel what?”
    â€œLittle Mr. Garrett kicking your hand.”
    â€œThe baby?”
    â€œWait! I felt it!”
    â€œWell, maybe soon he’ll be big enough for me to feel him? I think little Mr. G is telling you he wants me to keep things calm and for you to get something to eat.”
    â€œWe will, Stevie. But, he’ll have to wait. Now just move your hand lower and pull off my thong. Mommy wants some of Daddy’s attention, too.”
    â€œEdie!”
    ***
    An hour later we got up and showered together. I made some coffee, which we drank with powdered milk we found in the cupboard while we put together a grocery list. While we did, Tawny woke and came out to the living room. I helped her figure out the remote to the satellite television. Soon, she was happily watching a reality show on MTV.
    The grocery store was over in Desert Center, a four mile drive at the foot of a small mountain. The store was new and stocked better than we expected. Since this was California in October, the produce was excellent; crisp Romaine lettuce, big firm red and yellow bell peppers, oranges as huge as grapefruits, moist baby carrots, a large variety of onions, all kinds of melons, fresh crowns of broccoli and cauliflower, and at least ten types of apples.
    Edie and Tawny almost filled our basket in that area alone. We added fresh steaks, chops, chicken breasts, and several pounds of lunchmeat and cheese and side dishes from the deli.
    I turned a corner and was pleasantly reminded that