Then, so quietly, I have to strain as Eileen whispers, “He’s very angry. Please don’t come.”
But of course I do.
Sarah's car is parked at a slant outside the house, one back tire flat with a screwdriver plunged into it. I imagine Dade lurking just behind the curtain, fists clenched, eyes daring me to show my face.
I climb the step and knock. This time, Sarah answers.
Her hair is pulled back, clenched in a simple rubber band, wet from a hurried shower. She’s wearing jeans and a faded t-shirt, arms crossed tightly across her chest. A bruise is forming along her cheekbone. It's new, shallow, and red with blue around the edges.
She tries to block the doorway with her body, but I can see into the living room. Dade is pacing in slow, angry loops, Eileen is planted on the sofa, hands wrung white-knuckled in her lap.
“Are you all right?” I keep my voice low. "I thought the cops were going to keep him a few nights."
Sarah’s gaze flicks behind her, then back to me. “I’m fine. “ She rolls her eyes and lowers her voice, “Why would the police keep you when apparently you're buddies with a sergeant who doesn't believe Dade Andrews should be detained in his jail?”
From the living room, Dade barks, “Let him in, girl.”
She flinches and steps aside.
The living room is hot, sour, and smells of old takeout and sweat. Dade stands by the window, peering at the street. Eileen’s eyes are locked on the floor. I take a seat in the hardbacked chair by the TV.
Dade spins on his heel to face me, lips sneering. “You here to take my girl again, Father?”
I choose my words carefully as I speak. “Sarah, I was concerned for you. You missed our meeting.”
Dade snorts. “You mean you were worried she wouldn’t come crawling back to you.” He turns to Sarah, voice rising. “How long were you planning to keep it up, huh? Staying at the priest’s house. What kind of girl does that?”
“I told you,” she says, voice shaking. “Nothing happened. I just needed somewhere safe.”
Dade’s fist slams into the wall, rattling a cheap print in a bent frame. “Don’t lie to me! The whole damn town’s talking. Everyone’s busybodying in this town. You think I’m gonna let you make a fool out of me? First, Eileen blacks my eyes, you bust my head clean open, and now the damn priest takes me down with a skillet. Ain't no way y'all gonna keep playing me like a fiddle.”
He advances, and Sarah steps backward, her heels catching on the worn carpet. He can't possibly think I'd let him attack her in front of me. Every ounce of my body is telling me to tear this collar off and give this asshole the beating he deserves.
I rise, heart pounding, and put myself between them. “Mr. Andrews. That’s enough.”
He swings his glare to me, nostrils flaring. “Or what? You gonna beat me with your Bible, Father?” He leans in close, breath hot and sour. “She’s under my roof, she does what I say. You want her so bad, fine. Take her. But don’t come crawling back when you find out what a whore she is.”
The word lands like a slap. I want to hit him, truly, to break his teeth and watch him choke on them, but I clench my hands behind my back and keep my voice calm.
“Watch your mouth,” I say.
He grins, ugly and triumphant. “I'd rather watch Eileen's as it wraps around my cock. You two cockblocking bastards should go. Get!”
Sarah is shaking, not crying, just trembling like she can’t stop.
“Ma?” she whispers.
Eileen blinks, raises her head.
She watches her daughter as Sarah steps toward her. Sarah opens her arms to hug her mother.
“I said, GET— are you losing your fuckin’ hearin’?” Dade raises his hand to Sarah. But he holds it high while his glassy eyes focus on me.
“Don’t let him…” Eileen can’t finish the sentence. I imagine she's warning me not to let Dade drag Sarah back into this mess. A mother’s sacrifice to save her daughter.
Sarah turns and pulls the door open, but hesitates, a child’s instinct to wait for permission or a word of love. A farewell. None comes. Dade doesn’t say goodbye. Eileen raises a hand, but lets it drop the instant Dade turns his gaze on her. The door closes behind us.
The wind has picked up again, and the air outside is cold, raw, and cuts.
