“MARK, THIS WILL BEyour new roommate.”Roommate?
Howard and Dorey promised me two things when I showed up on their doorstep two years ago with my caseworker after a horrible experience in another foster home. One, no one would ever touch me in an inappropriate way under their roof. Two, I’d never have to share a room with anyone else since I was a few years older than all the other kids in their home.
“His name is Mitch Baker and he’s been through a really rough time. He could use a friend, Mark.” Howard’s voice was just as pleading as the puppy dog eyes he gave me. He knew he was breaking a promise to me, but at least he had the good grace to look guilty about it.
My eyes locked on the tall, lanky kid beside him whose eyes were glued to the floor. He had a shock of unruly black hair and a demeanor about him that said he felt lost and broken. If I’d had a heart left, it would’ve gone out to him, but the only thing in my chest was an empty space where my heart used to be.
“Okay,” I said with resignation. I didn’t bother hiding my irritation and I felt a tad bit guilty when I saw the kid flinch. I figured I only had two more years left before I was an adult and could go my own way. We’d muddle through as long as the kid stayed to himself and left me alone.
“I’ll just let you get settled in then, Mitch,” Howard said before he patted the kid on the back. He left the room without another word or glance in my direction.
Awkward silence descended upon us as I stared at the kid whose eyes were still glued on the floor. I knew he wasn’t going to be the one to break the ice, and if I was forced to live with him, then I needed to lay down a few rules.
“Mitch, is it?” His only answer was a brief nod. “We need to get a few things straight if we’re going to cohabitate in harmony.” Living with Howard and Dorey Davis was the first bit of harmony I’d found since my mom died and I’d be damned if I was going to let some scrappy kid ruin it for me. “The rules are really simple: Stay out of my stuff and mind your own damn business. Okay?” Again my question was replied to with a brief nod. That wasn’t going to be enough for me. I needed him to look me in the eyes and acknowledge what I said to him.
I rose to my feet and crossed the room until I stood directly in front of him. I waited for him to look up at me, but he never did. I placed my hand beneath his chin and pushed up until his eyes met mine. I’d never seen eyes so dark they looked black and I hadn’t seen such sadness in a set of eyes other than in my own when I looked at my reflection in a mirror.
I got lost in the dark void of Mitch’s eyes and felt every ounce of confusion, hurt, and abandonment he was feeling and fuck me if I didn’t want to do something to take all of it away. I felt something move in the region of my chest where my heart used to reside and I irrevocably knew right then that Mitch Baker was going to be big trouble for me.
