She looked away.“I ...I didn’t use the shower.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know how to work it,” she whispered.
Fuck.“Have you ever used a shower before?”he asked.
She nodded.“I’ve used one in a gas station that truckers use, but they were very basic, and I had a waitress help me turn it on.”
“So, how do you stay clean?”
“I use the sink and the soap I carry.”
How the hell was she able to live like this?
“Tonight, I’ll show you how to use it.Right now, let me help you with your hair.”
Angel tried to clutch the comb in her hands, but he gently took it from her.He sat on the edge of the mattress.“Come here and stand in front of me.”
She awkwardly stood clutching the blanket.“You don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.”
She sighed and turned her back to him.
He carefully started from the bottom of her hair and worked his way up until all the tangles were gone.
“You have beautiful hair, Sweetheart.”
“Thank you.”
He set the comb on the nightstand and turned her to face him.He gripped her hips when she tried to move away.
“Can you answer some questions for me?”
She nodded, but he could tell she was reluctant.
“How long have you been on your own?”he asked.
“I think about three or four years.”
“How the hell have you been able to take care of yourself?”
She looked down.“I got odd jobs.”
“Where did you sleep?”
“Anywhere I could find that felt safe enough.”
“You kept moving?”he asked.
She nodded.“Yes.”
“Did you have an idea of where you were going?”
She shook her head.
“Then why didn’t you stay in one place?”he asked.
