“Bruises?”
“Particularly on Adrienne. They were all over her arms, legs, and face. He said it looked like the poor child had been to battle. When he asked her what happened, she said she got jumped at school. He said she was still visibly shaken up by it, and he had to coax the truth out of her. She and Kennedy fought that day—not argued, fought, Killian. When Amiyah tried to break it up, she got hit in the process.
“They haven’t been to school in a week because they’re waiting on the bruises on their faces to heal. Kennedy told the school they both had COVID. That’s why Malcolm went to the house. He went to the school first. She took the battery out of Adrienne’s car and removed everything from their room. They are sleeping on a blow-up mattress, Killian. Right now, she’s of town with her boyfriend because she needed to get away from them. She left them with no phones, and there is barely any food in the house. Adrienne says she’s hit them before, but it’s never been this bad. She’s punishing them.”
I was disgusted, and it only got worse when she showed me the pictures of the bruises, their rooms, and the nearly bare cabinets, fridge, and freezer.
“CPS is involved,” Erica told me. “Right now, they’ve been taken to the hospital to be checked out. After that, CPS will take over.”
“Has anybody told Alayah or the Eastons?”
“Alayah and Mr. Easton are at work, but I called Mrs. Easton. She was so upset, Killian. She kept saying they should have never let the girls leave with her. I’ve filed a petition for an emergency removal on the Eastons’ behalf. Of course, the girls want to go with them, but Kennedy is going to fight that tooth and nail with Alayah being there.”
I nodded as I stood from my chair. “I need to go see her. She’s going to be a mess when she finds out.”
“They should be home now. Mrs. Easton said she would call.”
I started gathering my things, but I realized Erica was still sitting there watching me.
“Was there something else?”
“Killian, are you and Alayah a thing?”
I sighed. “I don’t know what we are right now. What I do know is that I care for her as much as I did all those years ago. I don’t want to rush her into anything.”
She smiled softly. “Well, I know you will take good care of her. You’re a good man, Killian.”
She left me to my packing. Once I gathered everything, I had to sit down for a moment. This shit was crazy. I would have been willing to bet money that this wasn’t the first instance of Kennedy putting her hands on her kids. She probably never hit them in the face where it would be visible. To know that she was right was going to relieve yet devastate Alayah.
I made it to my car in record time and left the office, headed for the Easton home. As I turned onto their road, I could see Alayah walking bristly toward the bus stop with angry tears streaming down her face. Pulling over to the curb, I got out and jogged behind her.
“Alayah!” I managed to get in front of her, slowing her strides. “Where are you going?”
“To find my sisters. My aunt and uncle said I need to wait, but I can’t, Killian. She beat them, then took a fucking vacation with her boyfriend! That’s why I didn’t want them to go with her. This is why I wanted them out of that house!”
Her hands went to the sides of her head, and she began pacing. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she attempted to get control of her breathing.
“This is my fault. It’s all my fault. If I had left them alone, none of this would have happened!”
She dropped to the ground, crying profusely. I took a seat beside her and pulled her into my arms. I was sure we looked crazy sitting on the concrete, but it didn’t matter. Gently, I rocked her from side to side.
“You can’t blame yourself, Layah,” I said softly. “This isn’t the first time it’s happened. It just hasn’t been this bad. She’s going to be arrested for sure. If we can’t get justice for you, we can get justice for your sisters.”
She sniffled as her tears began to subside. “She has to be held accountable, Killian. She can’t get away with this.”
“She won’t. Right now, I need you to get in the car and let me take you home. There’s nothing you can do until the emergency hearing. Just pray that the judge will grant your aunt and uncle temporary custody.”
“What if they don’t?”
“Then, unfortunately, the girls would go into the system until they can find proper placement.”
She shook her head. “No. We can’t let them do that. What if they split them up?”
“Erica is gonna do everything in her power to make sure they stay together and come home with family. You can’t stress yourself with this. I know that’s easier said than done.”
I climbed to my feet, then pulled her upright. She allowed me to lead her to the car and put her in the front seat. I climbed in, and we took the short drive back to the Easton residence. Mrs. Penny met us at the front door.
“Thank you for bringing her back,” she said as I guided Alayah inside.
