Mitch leaned forward. “Hey, dude, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know.”
Vanz looked up sheepishly. “I could’ve told you. But I was mad at everything when I got here. I took it out on your place, and I’m sorry. I can try to repaint it or work it off.”
The boy looked so guilty and miserable that it brokeIvy’s heart. Shelly gripped the first aid kit, preparing herself.
Mitch sat down on the futon near Vanz. “Mind telling me how old you are?”
“Sixteen,” Vanz replied.
Rocking slightly, Mitch clasped his hands. “And who is your mother?”
Vanz finally looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. “Her name is Melinda. You probably don’t remember her.”
Ivy watched the blank look on Mitch’s face. She reached for Shelly’s hand, squeezing it gently.
Mitch swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”
“My mom and yours are cousins.” Vanz’s voice cracked slightly.
“Then… then that makes us cousins, too.” Mitch ran a hand over his face in relief. “So, why did you come here?”
Vanz stroked the kitten as if he wasn’t sure how to answer the question. Finally, he said, “My dad was drunk one night, like he always is, and he blew up at me for not helping him find the TV remote. He locked me out, so that’s why I came here looking for you. I had some money saved for a bus ticket.”
The words tumbled out faster now, like a dam breaking. “Mom tries to protect me, but he goes after her instead.” He shook his head. “She only stays with him because of me. I figured if I left, she’d be free.”
Ivy’s throat tightened. A boy of sixteen, homeless and alone, trying to protect his mother by running away. “Does she know where you are?”
“She does. Not my dad.”
Mitch asked, “Is your mom in danger? Or any brothers or sisters?”
“I’m the only kid,” Vanz replied. “But I worry about my mom.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” Shelly murmured, her eyes bright with tears.
Mitch leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “You’re family. You understand that, right? We’re all here for you.”
Vanz furrowed his brow, clearly skeptical of this. “But I destroyed your property.”
“We can deal with that,” Mitch said. “But first, we need to make sure you’re safe. And your mom.”
Vanz’s grip on the kitten tightened slightly, and the little one mewed in protest. He immediately loosened his hold, whispering an apology.
Bennett cleared his throat. “We need to contact the authorities in Palm Vista to make sure your mother is protected, and that she knows you’re in safe hands.”
“Will I have to go back?” Panic crept into the teen’s voice.
“Not to him,” Mitch said, setting his jaw. “I’ll make sure of that. But Vanz, you’re only sixteen. I’ll work with your mother to figure out what’s best for both of you.”
Daisy had been silent throughout, watching from beside Shelly. Now she climbed down and approached Vanz slowly, looking at the kitten.
“Hurt?” she asked in a small voice.
Petting the kitten, Vanz nodded. “He needs a doctor.”
“Dr. Caleb could help,” Ivy said. “He treats animals.”
Just then, Ivy’s phone buzzed with a text from Poppy.Caleb can meet you. I gave him the address.
