You Are My One and Only

Patricia had surfed the net last night to browse through the available options on the market, but she

grew doubtful at the wide variety of self-defense items for women. She wasn’t even sure if they were

duds, and she was in no position to splurge now that she was practically broke. On the other hand, if

Darcie knew anything about self-defense items, she might be the right person to ask for

recommendations.

Presently, Darcie was happily digging into Josephine’s cooking. She couldn’t remember the last time

she had had a home-cooked meal. It must have been months ago because that was how long she had

been ordering takeout.

Poppy’s illness had taken a turn for the worse these last few weeks, and the hospital kept her in the

ward for further observation. Unable to leave her daughter alone, Darcie had been eating takeout from

a weekly roster of restaurants near the hospital, and at this point, she was getting sick of it.

She was exhausted and burned out from working her shift at Everbright until 4.00AM, after which she

had to rush over to the hospital to become a caretaker at 7.00AM. She hadn’t been getting any proper

sleep, and she often looked like she was out of it.

As she took a bite of roast beef, she smiled at Patricia and asked knowingly, “Why are you looking at

self-defense stuff all of a sudden? Is some jerk picking on you?”

Patricia sighed. She should have known that Darcie would be too street-smart and cynical not to figure

out what was happening right off the bat. Nervously, Patricia considered her options. If she were to tell

the truth that Isaac had kissed her last night against her own will and nearly forced himself on her, then

Darcie would brush it off.

She might even congratulate me, Patricia thought grimly. As such, she tried to look as unfazed as

possible as she said, “I’ll be working night shifts soon, and I want to be able to fend off creeps and

other strange men on my own.”

Darcie nodded. “That makes sense. I know a reliable place that sells self-defense weapons for women.

I’ll bring you over after I’m done with the meal.”

Patricia had planned on getting the spray off the net, but when she heard that there was a physical

store to purchase stuff like this, she agreed to it immediately. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about

warranties.

When Darcie had polished off the last morsel on her plate, she and Patricia left the four kids in

Josephine’s care. With Scott and Stellan around, Patricia was sure they would take care of Sylvie and

Poppy well.

The two women left for the store, which was only a ten-minute walk away from the children’s hospital.

Darcie understood the pain that Patricia went through whenever she was driving, so she opted to walk

to the store instead.

The winter sun warmed them as they made their way down the sidewalk. Darcie linked arms with

Patricia as she breathed in the smell of sunshine, then remarked with a bitter smile on her lips, “I can’t

remember the last time I’d basked in the sun like this. I might actually start feeling hopeful if Poppy

could get better soon.”

She did not think there was anything worse life could throw at her, not after the storm she had

weathered.

Patricia’s heart twisted when she heard this, and she nuzzled closer to her friend as she said

apologetically, “I wish I could do more to help. I probably could if I weren’t so dirt poor.”

Darcie pinched her face tenderly and said, “Please, you have it much rougher than I do. I’ve only got

one kid to look after, but you have three. So, you being here for me is more than enough, Tricia, okay?”

It was hard to find a true friend these days. However, Patricia was always there to lend Darcie a

shoulder to cry on and to celebrate with her over the most minor achievements, and vice versa.

Together, they felt as if they could take on the world.

They exchanged warm smiles, one grateful to the other for having stuck by her through everything,

thus making the world seem a little less cruel.

Chatting as they walked, the two women arrived at the store not long after. Patricia, who did not shop

much, never expected a small, nondescript accessory shop like this to have self-defense items on sale.

Darcie immediately grabbed a few bottles of pepper sprays off the shelf once she entered the

establishment, but Patricia thought they were much too large for her purse. She needed something

small that she could carry on her person at all times because she couldn’t very well sling a purse

around her while cleaning Isaac’s house.

“Excuse me, do you have anything smaller than pepper sprays?” she turned to ask the shop assistant.

The shop assistant dutifully took out a ring meant to be worn on the index finger. It was made with a

delicate band with a red heart-shaped stone set into the center, pretty enough to pass as costume

jewelry. “This is the latest we have in our collection, miss. It’s small and lightweight, and you can wear it

at all times. It also makes for a really cute accessory.”

While speaking, the assistant gently pressed down on the heart-shaped stone, and a long and thin

needle immediately extended out from the edge of the heart, parallel to the finger.

“The needle is soaked in a mild anesthetic. The attacker will be pacified for up to five minutes, allowing

you to make a run for it and save your life.”

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