Been so long

“I’m done, Amelia. I’ll head out now. What else do you need for you and Alice? I’ll get everything.”

“When you go out, you’ll lock us in the house right?” She asked, staring at his face. Fred gulped hard and looked away.

“Yeah. I…”

“You don’t trust me to leave me alone in the house without restraint.”

“I’m sorry, Amelia. But I can’t be careless with you. Not anymore.”

Amelia chuckled and shook her head and looked at him. “You don’t have to feel so bad about it. I understand you, okay? But I have a request.”

Fred bounced his head slowly and looked at her. “What is your request?”

“Can I at least go with you? It’s been so long I took Alice on a stroll. She seems bored already. I would love to take her out today. So can we go with you to the mall? I’d be able to recollect other things I need when I see them too.”

“That is your request?” He asked, and she bounced her head excitedly.

“That’s all I’m asking. I’ll be with you and I promise I won’t try to do anything stupid. Maybe then