“Do you want to go over to the park and sit and talk?” I asked.
“No.” But there was no bite to her words.
“Come on,” I said.
I hobbled along awkwardly, trying to keep up with their rapid pace. When we came to a park bench, Regina dropped down and lowered her head to her hands. I sat down next to her while Chase stood to the side.
“Now what’s going on?” I asked.
“I got caught shoplifting again,” Regina mumbled into her palms.
I gently lowered her hands. “I know.”
“I was stealing a can of tuna and some candy bars. I know it’s not a very healthy dinner, but I thought it would be small enough I could lift it without anyone noticing.”
The light dawned. “You were stealing it for you and your brother?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Once again Darla drank the grocery money away.” She swiped angrily at a tear. “I do it all the time, ya know? It’s not like it’s that hard.”
“But this time you got caught,” Chase said quietly.
“So. I was off my game.” She blew out a breath. “If that stupid store owner wouldn’t have made a big deal about it, none of this would matter.”
“So what happened when the cops came?” I asked.
“They hauled me over to Darla’s house,” she said bitterly. “Of course, she was so drunk she had no idea what was going on. Max—that’s my little brother—was crying because even at five the kid knew something was wrong. How pathetic is that?”
I blinked back the sudden onslaught of tears. “That’s not pathetic. It’s unfortunate.”
She barked out a laugh. “Yeah, well, he needs to get used to it. Living with Darla is just one big unfortunate disappointment after another.”
I glanced up at Chase, unsure of what to do.
“Where are you really going after you get out of the group home in two weeks?” Chase asked.
“Stupid foster parents.”
“With Max?” I asked.
“No. I’m going to Portland and he’s going to Trinity Falls.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I can’t imagine what—”
“That’s right lady,” she said snidely, “you can’t. So don’t even try.”
“Hey,” Chase said sharply, “Alexa is just trying to help.”
I expected attitude back, but for once Regina was silent.
“Let me see what I can do,” Chase said quietly.
We both looked up at him.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He looked away and sighed. “I can’t make any promises, Regina, but I can try and see if maybe you and your brother couldn’t have visitations together.”
“Really?” she asked incredulously. “You’d do that?”
