“Take a sip,” I said. She complied. “I’m not going to hurt you. Call 9-1-1. You got any zip ties? I was going to slap some on these naughty boys so they don’t bother you before the cops get here. Cool?”

“Cool,” Barbara said, trying hard for a normal smile. She reached into a drawer and handed me a few white plastic strips.

I tied the would-be robber’s bound wrists to the first refrigerator door, removing the bag from his head once I finished. I held out the wrinkled plastic. “I finally remember what this reminds me of. Eddie’s ball sack when I squished his testicles. Did you know you can fracture a testicle? It’s true.”

The man blew a snot bubble from his nose as he blubbered.

I returned to Barbara, handing her the cash for my gas. “Feeling better?” She nodded. “I have to get going. You okay?”

She nodded again, her eyes glistening. “Thank you.”

I looked at the ceiling. “Any cameras?”

She pointed with a shaky finger. “Just that one, but it’s never on. I’ll make sure, just in case.”

I winked at her, and then started for the door before she called after me. “Oh, miss…? Um ... go ahead and take the gum. It’s on me.”

I smiled at her and reached for some Bubble Yum. “Thanks, Barb.”

Back in the driver’s seat, I blew a pink bubble half the size of my face, and it snapped just as I pressed on the gas pedal, flinging gravel all over Eddie who had already thrown up on himself a few times before I’d tied him to the gas pump. I loved that men vomited when they got hit in the nuts. It was just a little extra gift after exploiting their greatest weakness.

The rest of the drive to Colorado Springs was long, but uneventful. My back hurt, my ass hurt, but I’d been determined to make the drive in one day. My cell phone had displayed Trex’s number just five days prior, and I knew what he wanted before I’d answered. He knew I’d say yes before he’d called.

Trex stood on the front porch of my new home, smiling at me as I pulled into the drive. We were both a replacement, second place for best friend after Matt died, but I would honor their friendship until I found my way back to my husband again.

“Welcome,” he said with a Cheshire grin.

“Hey,” I said, stretching as soon as I stepped out of the truck.

“You won’t believe what was on the news earlier. Two men were found bound at a gas station in Utah. The clerk was hiding behind the counter and didn’t see what happened to them, but she knew they’d tried to rob the place—at about one a.m. this morning she said.”

“Interesting.”