“If this leads to me having to purchase a potbellied pig–”
“I’ll tell you how to raise one.” Ruby breezes past us all. “Tell me the way to Mackenzie’s room.”
“Arg,” Josephine growls under her breath, but no one stays mad at Ruby long. “Down the hall, second door. She’s just sitting on the bed, staring at the wall.”
“Can you watch Grace?” I ask Josephine. If it were any other day, I’d have taken Grace to my mother’s house, but I can’t stand the thought of being away from her. At the same time, I don’t want to cause Mackenzie any more pain.
“Of course.” Josephine grabs her from me as if she’s afraid I’m going to change my mind. “I’ve wanted to get my hands on this little girl since you stopped in front of the house.”
“We’ve got this.” Ruby marches down the hallway without looking to see if we’re following as Josephine retreats to the kitchen to keep an eye on Steven and Squirt.
This was my idea, but I don’t mind Ruby taking over. The last thing I want is for Mackenzie to feel like I’m bribing her to keep Grace. She’s been adamant that she wants Grace to be raised by someone else because her life is a wreck, and I believe her.
But I want so much more for her than a life of abuse, terror, and desperation. And if bringing some treats to Mackenzie helps her in any way, I want to do that for her.
Ruby gives one quick wrap of her knuckles on the door and swings it open. “We’re here.”
“What?” Mackenzie stares at us from the middle of the bed with an open mouth. She’s changed into a pair of oversized white sweats and sits cross-legged in the middle of the blue comforter, around her are an assortment of brochures and pamphlets.
“We come bearing gifts.” Bella pushes her way into the room, depositing three white bags on the bed while shoving papers out of the way. “I’m sure this is important stuff, but we have something even more essential.”
“Clothes and markup.” Ruby winks and tosses her bags down to join the ones Bella dropped with a flourish.
“I can’t – “
“Mackenzie.” I step around my friends. “We talked about this at the office.”
After I followed Iris and Mackenzie to the Children’s Division office, my girlfriends showed up. First, to ensure Grace and I were safe. Then, to praise Mackenzie for saving our lives. She blew them off, but that will never deter my friends. They’re mini wrecking balls. Or a Jack Russell Terrier chasing a ball.
“Yes, and I said no.” Mackenzie scrambles off the bed, backing away from the gifts.
“Stop.” Ruby raises her hand to pantomime what she said. “It’s our civic duty as Brookhaven residents to collect necessary items for any and all neighbors in need.”
Bella’s eyes flash as she rests her hands on her hips. “And you need nothing from that house. Unless that something holds sentimental value, and right now, the police have the house barricaded, so you can’t get anything out anyway.”
“And you need clothes that fit. What are you, a size 4?”
“Yes.” Her nose wrinkles. “I think.”
“You think?” Ruby clutches her chest in mock horror. Even though the horror isn’t mock. Ruby and Bella are under no illusion that Chad treated Mackenzie with anything but revulsion and contempt. The fact that she doesn’t know what size she wears isn’t a surprise.
“I’m not sure.” She arches an eyebrow before glancing at the bags. Her body nearly sways toward the bed as some of her resolve wavers.
“Then, let’s do this.” I march over to the dresser and switch on the stereo, spinning the knob until it brings in a local rock station. “It’s time for makeup and a makeover.”
Chapter Eighty-Three
Emily
One Hour Later
Mackenzie sits in front of the vanity with her chin tipped up as Bella applies mascara to her right eyelashes. “Why are you guys really doing this?”
“Stop moving, or you’ll mess up your face,” Bella growls under her breath.
“Sorry.” Pink tinges Mackenzie’s cheeks at Bella’s verbal chastising.
“Because we want to.” Ruby hangs a red T-shirt in the closet between a purple and a yellow one.
