“Holy fuck,” I say, peering at the large cross hanging above her bed.
There’s not much furniture in here either, only three pieces—a maple-colored dresser, nightstand, and bed. I rummage through her drawers but find nothing intriguing. I’m done here for now. As I leave her bedroom, the hamper catches my eye. I dump the contents on the floor, then gather all of Pepper’s dirty panties and stuff them into my pockets. After putting her clothes back to rights, I leave the condo.
“By the way, I found a job for the summer,” Patrick says around a mouthful of eggs.
We sit at the table, enjoying the big breakfast I cooked for us this morning.
“Congrats. Didn’t realize you were looking for one.”
“I wasn’t but saw the help wanted sign posted in the window and thought, ‘Why the hell not?’”
“Where?”
“The smoothie shop a couple blocks from here.”
“My all-time favorite place?” I ask excitedly.
“Yeppers. I start next week, and you can use my employee discount.”
“How much?”
“Twenty percent.”
“Yay!” I jump up and do an uncoordinated dance.
He laughs at my antics.
“So, how did your date with your dream guy go last night?” he asks, killing the mood.
“Do not go there.” I plonk back down in my chair and throw a sausage at him. “I invited you over so we could catch up, not talk about Lester.”
“You should’ve told Dad to kiss your ass.”
“Hey, watch your language.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll keep it PG.” He gulps down the rest of his orange juice. “You and Lester don’t mesh at all.”
“I’ll talk to Dad, just not now. It’s too soon.”
“Why do you let him control your life?”
“Don’t judge me. You were safely at military school while I was stuck with him.”
“Tell me what happened,” he says, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand. “What did he do to you?”
Though Patrick comes home for holidays and summer vacation, he never witnessed our father’s harsher punishments. Dad’s careful to hide his abusive nature.
“I will one day.”
“All right. I’m all ears when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.”
“I have some news to tell you,” he says, a wide smile on his face.
“What?”
“I’m not joining the military.”
