“Yeah, yeah, I know, I know.”
The little shit didn’t look at all remorseful. He grinned and I seriously began to question the wisdom of letting him work at a tattoo parlor, um, shop.
Whatever.
On the other hand, at least I’d know where he was, and it might keep him out of trouble for a few hours a week.
“I’m going to do a background check on him, then I’ll decide what to do.” I glanced at him again. “Is that okay with you, not my kid?”
He grimaced.
“I know I’m not your mom, bud.”
“I shouldn’t have said that, Indy,” he admitted. “I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate your apology.” I pulled into the gated lot of the halfway house and parked, turning to face him. “You’re on dishes for the rest of the month, and I’m adding bathroom duty back onto your chore list until summer.”
“Aw, man...”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
He shook his head. “Yeah, yeah, okay, okay. Bathrooms. Summer. Got it.”
I pushed open my door, patting the dashboard and saying, “Thanks, Shrek for getting me to point B safely. Just keep going for a little while longer.”
I then climbed out of the car and closed the door, locking it even though there was no point. If someone wanted it, locking it wouldn’t keep them out.
“Why do you talk to your car?” Leon asked. “It’s weird.”
I stroked the hood. “Don’t listen to him, Shrekky. He’s a punk who didn’t have to walk home because you gave him a very nice ride.”
Leo rolled his eyes and strolled into the building.
I followed.
I smiled as I walked into the large great room that separated the girls’ dorms from the boys’.
“Indy!” Brianna called, rushing toward me.
At twelve, Brianna was our youngest resident. She was a beautiful child with an even more beautiful soul, which put her on the radar of predators in almost every foster home she’d been in. But now she was safe, and I planned to keep her that way.
“Hey, sweetie,” I said, wrapping my arms around her as she hugged me. “How goes it?”
“I got an A on my English paper.”
“Of course you did,” I said. “I had no doubt.”
“My teacher said it was my best paper yet.”
“Wow, honey, that’s fantastic. I’m so proud of you.”
She beamed up at me. “Thanks.”
“How about we celebrate with milkshakes this week? I’ll pick you up on Friday after school.”
She clapped her hands. “Really?”
“You bet. My treat.”
