“Uh, I think it’s too late for that. You look terrible.”
“So did Sandra this morning, and Rue said nothing.”
“Okay, but I was just saying.” Derrick shrugged but didn’t look happy. “Walt ordered pizza to be delivered.”
“I need to text Sandra to let her know I’m ready for Rue to come home.” Eb sank to the couch. “I think my phone is in my pocket. And thank you.”
The young man grinned and went to check. As he was returning with it, someone knocked on the door. He went to open it.
“The pharmacist said these could make you sleepy so be careful,” Inez said, hurrying inside. “Do you want me to make arrangements to take Rue to the daycare for you in the morning?”
“No, it won’t be necessary,” Sandra said from the doorway.
* * *
Sandra hadn’t beensure what to expect, so she’d kept Rue behind her. Eb looked tired but not any worse than Sandra had when she’d looked at her reflection this morning.
“There’s your daddy.” She continued to hold the little girl’s hand as she surged forward. “Remember, his arm has anowie, so you have to be careful.”
The child nodded, so Sandra released her, and she slowly tiptoed toward him.
“What are you doing, Rue?” Derrick asked.
She turned with a frown and put a finger over her lips. “Shhh.Don’t scare Daddy’s booboo.”
The young man made a choking sound, turning to cover his mouth, his eyes wide with mirth.
“Behave yourself,” Sandra whispered to him. He nodded but kept his hand where it was.
Eb had extended his unbandaged arm, and Rue sidled up to him, staring at the bandages.
“Does it hurt?”
“The doctor had to use stitches.” He made a face. For a man who had been an only child, he had an instinct with how to handle kids. “Do you know anyone who’s ever had stitches?”
“Mommy.” Rue said the name so low it made Sandra take a step closer to hear better.
“Did she get hurt while making one of her movies?” Eb asked.
“He hit her.”
Eb stiffened, but he shot his daughter a quick glance and seemed to force himself to relax. When he spoke, his tone had a deeper timbre.
“Who is he?”
“One of her mean boyfriends.” Rue’s face scrunched in disapproval. “Did someone hit you?”
“A person was trying to hurt someone at work, and I had to stop him.”
“Like the police people do?”
“I got there a little before the police, but the important thing is they took the mean person to jail, so everyone’s safe.”
“It’s what the police lady told Mommy. After, she told me some men are mean, but we don’t put up with that—” Rue giggled. “Mommy said a bad word.”
“So he’s not your mother’s boyfriend anymore?” Eb asked, his tone careful.
Rue shot him a look like he was stupid, and the mood in the room lightened. At least Paige had made one right choice.
