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your license taken away from you, too,” she threatens.
    I have a feeling the judge’s name is used in threats frequently in this small community to help control the kids, much like Santa and that creepy tattletale elf are used at Christmas time.
    If you don’t eat your vegetables, I’ll tell the judge to take away recess.
    If you don’t do your homework, I’ll tell the judge to make school last year-round.
    Fine. Don’t mind me, then. You’ll have to explain it to the judge and face the consequences.
    River and I sit up on the tailgate and I slide off the edge onto my now shaky legs. That hot tub at the cabin is definitely calling my name, beckoning me to soak my muscles before they become too sore. “I believe this one belongs to you,” I say lightheartedly to Mrs. Perkins as I hand River over to her.
    “What’s uhr name?” River asks as she squirms until Mrs. Perkins puts her down.
    “My name is Layne. It’s nice to meet you, River.”
    “Hold my hand, River.” Mrs. Perkins issues her command in her stern voice.
    River complies and Mrs. Perkins turns her gaze back to me. Before I have time to react, she’s hugging me with her other arm and I feel River’s arms wrap around my leg, making it a group hug in the parking lot. “Thank you so much for what you did. You saved her life.” Her voice breaks when she speaks from the flood of emotions that overwhelm her. Tears are already spilling down her cheeks when she releases me.
    “No need to thank me. Honestly. I’m just glad I was able to reach her in time. She’s so fast!”
    “Don’t I know it,” she replies with a shake of her head. “My name is Rose, by the way. Rose Perkins.”
    “It’s good to meet you, Rose.” I nod at her. “I’d better get my groceries loaded in my car now. I’m sure I’ll see you two again around town.”
    “Joey, go load Layne’s groceries in her car for her right now, and I’ll consider telling your mom that all is not lost with you,” Rose demands.
    “Yes, ma’am,” Joey replies without hesitation. “Which car is yours?”
    “The Jeep right there.” I point to it and hand him the keys. When he walks away to grab my shopping cart, I turn to Rose. “That really wasn’t necessary. It’s no problem for me to load them myself.”
    “He’s lucky I don’t have him scrubbing your toilets for a year,” Rose replies. “You could’ve been hurt, too. Taking care of your groceries is the very least he can do.”
    Rose looks over my shoulder to supervise Joey and calls out to him. “And don’t smash her bread, Joseph Griffin, or you’ll go inside and buy her another loaf.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Joey replies obediently.
    “River, you have to stay with me, baby. You can’t run off like that—you almost got hurt really badly!” As Rose chastises River, I can’t help but notice there’s no anger in her voice. Her words stem from the completely consuming fear we both felt, and I’m sure her feelings of being helpless to stop it only add to it.
    “Otay, Miss Rose.” River turns her face up to Rose with the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen. This kid knows exactly how to charm people to get out of trouble.
    “You’ve got your hands full with this one,” I chuckle. Leaning down to River, I tap my finger lightly on her little button nose. “You stay close to Miss Rose so you won’t get hurt. Okay?”
    “Otay, Waynie,” she nods.
    “All set with the groceries.” Joey hands me the keys to the Jeep, and I thank him before saying good-bye. My mind has returned to that dark place, and I need to walk away before the tears start flowing in front of complete strangers.
    Laynie. River has no idea Bobby used to call me that, but that name does me in just the same. As I drive away, a memory replays in my mind, a conversation that came up frequently in one variation or another.
    “Bobby and Laynie. What should we name our baby? Blainie?” Bobby asked jokingly.
    “No, we’re not naming our baby Blainie.” I