“I suggest you leave,” an old woman speaks from nearby. I recognize that voice. I’ve spoken to her before.
Averting my gaze from the house, I lock it on her. She’s in a pink gown with her gray hair pulled in a braid. She’s wearing jewelry all over, and it’s all types of colors and designs. I’m sure Marie will love this woman.
“I’m not leaving,” I tell her.
She watches me then goes back to moving the sticks and knitting a yellow something that she’s newly begun.
“It’s better that you do. Don’t get the girl into any more trouble.”
My heart drops.
“I would never do that.”
“Why?” She arches an eyebrow, daring me to not lie.
My hand reaches up to my hair, and I run my fingers through it, feeling self-aware. Fuck. Why am I feeling hot all of a sudden?
“Because I like her,” I finally say.
Her gaze snaps up to me and she studies me. “Have you told her?”
“Yes,” I find myself saying.
“Good.”
“You told me to take care of her,” I remember the little chat we had when I came to pick up Hope for bowling alley. She asked what my intentions were about Hope. I told her we were just friends. She told me to take care of her. Something she didn’t need to ask me for. I’ll always take care of Hope. Even more than myself.
“And it looks like you do. You’re here.”
I nod. “I need to go inside. I’ll see you later?—”
“Don’t go. She’s not alone.”
My spine turns rigid. Fuck. Please let it not be her dad who she’s home with right now.
My tone is hard as I ask, “Do you know who’s with her?”
The woman nods.
“It’s her dad, isn’t it?” My hands curl into fists beside my sides.
She shakes her head as her eyes fill with sadness. “Worse. It’s her mother.”
My eyebrows knit together in confusion. “She doesn’t hit her.” I tell her.
The old woman sighs. “No, she does the absolute worst. Sheplayswith her head. She says things to her that hurt her and for years she’s done it.” She breathes in a long pull of air. “I don’t need to live in that house to know exactly what goes on in there. I hear and see everything and let me tell you. It’s no home for a young girl to live in.”
I stare at her, too stunned to speak a word. I’ve known Hope for a few months and I’ve come to the conclusion that her parents are shit and she is living in a hell house. But this woman knows so much more about this family and hearing her say all these words triple my worry.
Now I want Hope out of that house more than anything.
I want to protect her and keep her safe. I want her to feel good. I want her to be okay.
Will I be able to do that?
“I thought her dad was the worst.” I tell her.
She shoots me a dry smile. “Oh! He is, but her mother isn’t far behind. The two of them are a pair of toxic people who are bound together by love. I’ve seen this film a hundred times in all my living years and I can tell you it never ends well.”
