“He likes you, so he’s good with your boobs. Anyway, you’d look ridiculous with big ones on your slender build.”
Fallon giggled as she pictured herself with a huge bust. “I would look ridiculous.”
“Have you seen him naked? I bet he’s really hung. The big guys are.” Fallon shoved a few fries in her mouth and shook her head. “He didn’t have you suck him or anything?”
Putting her drink down, she laughed. “No. It’s not that he didn’t want to, but I’m not ready.” She looked away.
“And he’s good with that? Wow… he’s a keeper. He definitely respects you, girl. You got this one.” Sylvia opened her mouth wide and took a bite of her burger.
For the rest of the afternoon, they talked about Diablo, their dreams and hopes for the future, and their disappointments thus far in their short lives. As Fallon grabbed the bill, insisting on paying, happiness spread through her.I’m going to do this. Tomorrow I’ll go to the library and surf the net for jobs. I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this.She didn’t dare stay home and use her computer. She wanted to be away from her dad and his wife. Besides, she always loved going to the library; it reminded her of her mother and all the times they’d spent roaming the aisles in search of books.
When she arrived back home, it was early evening. No one was home, and Fallon went to her room and locked the door. She opened her closet and looked at her oversized clothes, deciding that since she was on the road to change, she’d go through her clothes and choose which ones to leave behind. As she was moving the outfits she was going to take to one end of her closet, she heard Shanna’s car pull into the driveway, followed by another one. Anxiety replaced the gaiety she’d been feeling.
A mix of light and heavy footsteps on the stairs made her stomach gurgle and her nerves fray. The footsteps should have gone away from her room, but they were heading toward it.
Shit! I won’t let them ruin my mood. I won’t….
A heavy knock on her door. “Fallon? Open up. I want to talk to you.”
She held her breath, frozen in the middle of her walk-in closet.
Another heavy knock. “Did you hear me? Open the fuck up.”
Fallon moved over to the window and opened it. She climbed out and sat down, hugging her knees as she rocked back and forth.
The knocks became pounds and she rocked hard, humming loudly to block out her father’s voice.
Then it was quiet. She strained her ears to hear her father’s retreating footsteps, but she heard Shanna’s voice.
“Just let her be. You can talk to her in the morning. I have the luncheon tomorrow and I’m nervous as hell about it. I don’t want a lot of drama right now. Anyway, she’s old enough to spend some time away from the house. You need to lighten up.”
“I’ll speak to you in the morning,” her father said, his hand slamming against her door, making her jump.
Then he went away. Shanna had cooled his ire. Shanna hadhelpedher.She’s up to no good for sure.
For the next few hours, she sat outside, even though her body shivered and was covered with goose bumps as the cool air blew over her. The roof, the night, the lights from houses twinkling like tiny fireflies in the distance were her refuge, and she wasn’t ready to leave their comfort. Her phone vibrated against her thigh. She hoped it wasn’t her father sending her hurtful, vindictive messages as he often did. She opened it.
Diablo:Everything good?
She smiled and brushed away the hair from her face.It is now.
Fallon:Yeah. What are you doing?
Diablo:Thinking bout my sweet pea.
Fallon:That’s nice. I wish I were with you.
Diablo:U will be. Soon.
Fallon:Nite.
Diablo:Nite.
He makes me feel so wonderful. Tomorrow I’ll get up super early and be out before Dad or Shanna are even up.She went back inside, washed up, and slid under her down comforter. Glancing out the window, she took comfort in knowing that Diablo saw the same sky from his window. Instead of thinking about her dad and how angry he was, Diablo was on her mind. She knew the dark shadows of her dreams would be replaced by bright colors and sunlight.
That night, she welcomed sleep.
