Robbie wrapped his arm protectively around my waist. I was glad to have him with me. The city was so big, and there were so many people that if he weren't there to guide me, I knew I would have been lost in a moment. It also let me look around, taking in the sights without looking like a complete tourist. I knew with Robbie with me, I could gawk and no one would hassle me.
We walked along the brightly lit street. I knew my eyes were as big as saucers trying to take it all in. Robbie laughed at my childlike interest, pointing out things that he knew I would enjoy. There were signs for Broadway plays, flashing billboards, and beautiful people walking along the street. It was noisy and busy, but I loved taking it all in.
"Where should we go? Do you want to go get a drink somewhere?" I asked, glancing around for a bar or restaurant.
"No, I don't want to drink anything. I'm having a wonderful time just being with you. I'd rather not go into a noisy bar and fight for drinks. I'm much happier just walking with you," Robbie said. He looked almost surprised at his words, but I knew they were true. The arm around my waist tightened as he gave me a loving squeeze and kissed the top of my head.
"I'm having a wonderful time. Thank you for bringing me out." I snuggled up closer to him.
"You are most welcome," he replied. We stopped in front of a window, peering in at the sparkling jewelry inside. "I'd like to buy you something," Robbie whispered.
"You don't have to do that! You already bought me a boat," I told him.
"But you deserve to have more. Would you like that diamond necklace?" He pointed to a beautiful piece of jeweled artwork in the window. It sparkled under the lights and probably cost more than my house.
"It would look good with my racing gear..." I mused. Then I punched his arm. "No. I'd never wear it, and it's too pretty to just sit in my jewelry box. Thank you, but no."
"Okay, then. I'd still like to buy you something, though." His eyes were soft as he smiled. We continued to walk down the street.
"But I don't want anything. You've got me into the Invitational. What more could I possibly ask of you?" I asked. "Except to maybe go in that toy store with me..."
Wide open doors of a store beckoned customers into a shop full of childhood wonder. I could see thousands of toys inside. I was always on the lookout for something to spoil Avery with, and since the money from the accident was in my bank account, I felt like I could actually afford to get her something.
Robbie laughed an, "Of course!" and together we walked into the gleaming toy store.
The store was amazing. Toys, books, games, costumes, and beautiful colors filled the shop. There was a golden castle big enough for Robbie and me to walk through, and a replica of the Empire State Building with working lights. Glowing plastic trees and whimsical designs accentuated the feeling of being in a magical world made especially for children.
Robbie let go of me and picked up a hardcover children's book. His eyes misted over as he flipped through the pages, suddenly lost in his own world. He turned a page, tracing a finger along the drawing of a cartoon stuffed bear.
"There was a picture of Rachel reading this book to Jack and me on Dad's nightstand the night before he died." He turned the page, a smile curling the corners of his lips in soft remembrance. "I used to love this book."
I stepped closer, peeking over his shoulder. He brushed the picture on the page with reverence, and I knew he wasn't reading the book so much as remembering it.
"I would 'read' it to anyone who would listen." He looked up, making eye contact with me for the first time since we entered the store. "I couldn't actually read it, but I had the words memorized. Dad used to sit me on his lap and listen to me on nights he came home from the office."
I tucked my arm under his, leaning my head against his shoulder as he continued to thumb through the pages of his beloved book. I rarely got to see this side of Robbie.
"Your dad sure loved you," I said quietly. Robbie stiffened and closed the book, setting it back on the shelf.
"You sure?" His voice was cold and distant. "Just because he let me read some book to him... it doesn't mean anything."
"Robbie," I said softly. "I know he did. I saw it."
"You weren't there when it changed. After you left, it was all about Jack and the company. DS Oil and Gas was more of a son to him than I was. I got tired of the amount of times I heard him say, 'Why can't you be more like your brother and work for the company?'" Robbie shook his head and pulled away from me, heading deeper into the store.
I sighed. I knew the death of his father was still weighing heavily on him, but I had no idea how to make him feel better. I knew his father had loved him. His father had taken the two of us sailing and I had seen the love Daniel had for his son. I just wished there was a way to make Robbie see it too.
I hurried after him, catching up to him by a small tower of blocks.
"I'm sorry, Robbie. I didn't mean..."
"No, it's not your fault. I don't really want to talk about my dad right now though, okay?" His eyes held a depth of grief that made my heart ache. He took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Let's see what's in that castle over there."
I followed him, letting him lead me to an opulent golden castle filled with all kinds of princess paraphernalia. Pink and purple dominated, and I chuckled to myself. If Avery were here, she would have thought she had died and gone to heaven.
"Oh... My.... Gosh..." I said, staring at a row of the most amazing princess costumes I had ever seen. There were dozens of them, each in a different style and color. Every one of them was something that Avery would have committed murder with a gleeful look on her face to get.
"Isn't Avery going through a princess phase? The couple of times I’ve seen her, she's been wearing that princess costume," Robbie asked, following me as I looked at the dresses. I wanted to get her one so badly, but some of the dresses cost over a hundred dollars. I started looking for one that was more in my price range, flipping through the tags and trying to ignore the most elaborate ones.
"To say she is obsessed would be an understatement. It's a fight every morning to get her out of the costume and into her school clothes. She snuck out yesterday with the costume on under her uniform," I replied. I pulled out a beautiful golden ball gown, but made a face when I saw the price tag. Just because I was now financially okay didn't mean I should spend that much money on something so frivolous.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Robbie walk over to a sales clerk and point toward the dresses. I groaned a little inwardly. If the clerk came over, I would be pressured to buy one of the more expensive ones. I turned back to the rack, hoping that she wouldn't actually come and try to help me.