Indigo
My terror was warring with both my anger at Leon, and my relief to be away from the Primal Howlers’ gang. They were notorious in the area, and not people you wanted to run up against.
“Of all the people to fuck with, Leo, you pick one that happens to be a member of one of the worst motorcycle gangs in the state?”
“I know. I’m sorry. It was Chucky’s idea.”
“How long are you going to use that excuse?” I hissed. “At some point, you have to decide if you’re going to be a man... agoodman, or you’re going to be like Chucky. You’re on my last nerve, punk, and I honestly don’t know why I keep giving you chances.”
“Because of my good looks and winning personality?”
I sighed, glancing at him before focusing back on the road. “There are currently ninety-seven kids on the wait list for your bed, Leo. Give me one reason why I don’t send you back into the system and find you a foster family?”
“Because I promise I’ll tell Chucky to fuck off next time.”
“You said that last time,” I pointed out.
“Please don’t send me back,” he begged, touching the tips of his fingers together like he did when he was nervous. “I swear I’ll do better.”
I narrowed my eyes. “One more chance.”
“Thanks, Indy.” He slid his hands into his jacket pocket and swore.
“What now?” I bit out.
“That guy still has my phone.”
“When you get it back from him you can hand it straight over to me. I meant it when I said you’re grounded.”
“I know,” he grumbled, then brightened a bit. “Are you really gonna let me work at Potion?”
Several of the older kids at Walker House were obsessed with tattoos and were counting down the days until they turned eighteen so they could get their first ‘ink.’ They knew the names of all the top artists around the world and followed their careers the same way other kids followed athletes and musicians.
I was quick to remind them that tattoos cost money. Money that first needed to be earned, then used on essentials like food, rent, utilities, and the rest put into savings. Once a surplus in savings occurred, things like tattoos, concert tickets, and the like, could be assigned to their budgets. I was committed to educating the kids about managing their finances in the future. Most of it seemed to fall on deaf ears, but I never stopped trying. For Leon, any job at Potion was an instant feather in his cap within the house and he knew it.
I rolled my eyes. “This is not a reward!”
