Mackenzie’s eyes meet mine in the mirror. “You don’t have to–”
“Stop it.” Bella’s voice is louder this time.
“I don’t need….” As if she realizes she’s about to incur Bella’s wrath, she snaps her mouth shut.
“She’s going to snap on you, so you’d better watch out.” I sit on the edge of Mackenzie’s bed.
The box springs squeak as they adjust to my weight. We should get her a new bed. I shift from one butt cheek to the other. Or maybe Josephine prefers this one for teenagers. Eventually, Mackenzie will have a boy over and this one would be a dead giveaway if they’re up to any frisky business.
“When bad things happen, makeovers make it better.” Bella dips the mascara wand into the tube. “At least, that’s my philosophy.” This time, Mackenzie remains in position as Bella shifts to her other eyelashes.
I snatch up a pamphlet from the comforter. Everything You Need to Know about PTSD. Under it is one for domestic violence. And depression. Bile rises in my throat. This sucks.
“Listen, I know you’re not used to people doing nice things for you.” I lay the brochures down and clasp my hands on my lap. “But that’s what we do here. We lift each other up when someone is down. That’s why we all live here. It’s why I became a paramedic. Why Jake is a police officer. Why we’re foster parents.” I swallow over the lump in my throat as Bella frantically waves her hands in front of Mackenzie’s face.
“Seriously?” She glares at me. “You go and talk sappy shit the second I get done?”
“Of course.” I shrug my shoulders. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“If you weren’t my best friend, I’d cut your tires.”
“Violence, ladies,” Ruby tsks, which makes the vice around my heart ease a bit, which was her intention before we all turn into blubbering messes.
“I like you guys.”
“Good.” I stand and walk over to Mackenzie, placing my hand on her shoulder. “No one deserves the life you’ve been subjected to, and all of us want better for you. So don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
“Ri-i-i-ight.” Ruby rolls her eyes. “The moral of this story is, don’t be an Emily.”
Mackenzie arches an eyebrow while spinning the chair to face me, causing my arm to drop to my side. “What does that mean?”
“It means that my friends like to claim I refuse to accept help like a four-year-old who’s stubbornly putting her arms in first in a set of footed pajamas and refusing any advice on how to put them on correctly.”
“That seems very specific.” Mackenzie smiles for the first time today, which makes my heart soar with happiness.
“It is,” Ruby says with a smirk.
“And we’ve seen the photo to prove it.” Bella waggles her eyebrows.
Yes, my mom has a photo of me on the wall, naked as a jaybird, arms in the pajamas, and no way in hell that my feet will ever get inside at the same time.
Moments later, Mackenzie sobers. “I want to do a DNA test so I can sign my parental rights away on Grace. I want her raised by good people, like you and Jake.”
“Don’t.” I raise my hand to ward her off. I absolutely want to adopt Grace, but today has been a long day, and I don’t want Mackenzie doing something she’ll regret. “Don’t make a hasty decision like that. We’re not here to play on your emotions – “
“Stop.” Mackenzie rolls her eyes. “I may have had a shitty life, but I know sincere people when I see them. And I can spot an asshole a mile away. I want to do this. You and Jake….” She waves her hand around the room. “And your friends, they’re wonderful people. I couldn’t hope to find someone better.”
I swipe my hands on my pants as my heart races in my chest. “I’ll speak with Iris. I know I haven’t spoken with Jake yet, but he’s going to feel the same way as I do. We want you to be a part of Grace’s life. Our lives. When you’re ready.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “Thank you. I think I might like that. Not yet, but sometime.”
“I understand.” I take a step toward her as she rises from the chair to meet me halfway.
And that’s when we’re both a blubbering mess.
“Son of a bitch.” Bella tosses her hands in the air. “It never fails.”
“That’s called repeat business,” Ruby says. “Make that part of your business plan. Tell a sappy story after finishing your client’s makeup. That way you must redo it for an additional fee.”
