“Some days are harder than others,” she muttered. “Today was Mom’s birthday.”
Alicia placed a small, wrapped box down and patted the headstone. “Hey, Mommy. I bought you a gift.” She unwrapped it, and I saw a gold necklace with a heart inscribed with the word ‘Mom’. Alicia made a hole in the dirt and buried it before covering it over.
“I’ll leave you to your grief.”
“When are you twenty?”
“In a few months.”
“It must be a sign. I leave for college in a couple of months. I turn eighteen as I finish school.” Alicia sat back and studied me. It felt like she saw deep inside me, to my very soul.
“I’m doing business in college,” I replied.
“Sounds fun. I want to be a fashion designer.”
Alicia kept staring at me, and I grew uncomfortable. “You can come with me.”
“What?” I spluttered. Was she for real? Was Alicia blind to the danger of offering a stranger a home?
“I recognise genuine grief when I see it. I can also spot two flaming assholes when I see them. If you want a beating, go with them. But if you’d like somewhere to stay for a couple of months, I can offer you that,” she said softly. Alicia plucked a blade of grass and twisted it nervously.
“Alicia, I could harm you,” I murmured.
“You won’t. I see something in you. You’re not bad, just hurt. Like me, you’re a bit broken. You miss your brother; I miss my parents. Dad always told me to help people if I could. I can give you breathing room.”
I stared at her, stunned wordless. For the first time since I’d learned Rand was dead, my grief faded and hope dared raise its head. Was Alicia for real?
“Do you mean that?” I asked. It was a lifeline I’d not expected.
“Yes. But it comes at a cost.”
“I don’t have money to pay you,” I replied quickly, cutting her off. There it was. The catch. There was always one. Disappointment flooded me; I’d thought Alicia was different, but it seemed she wasn’t. Damn me for wanting to believe that there were decent people out there.
“Did I mention payment? The cost is something you can afford: time. I can’t keep the grass tidy because I’m studying so hard. I’d ask you to mow it for me. Also, I can’t pack up their stuff. I can’t even enter their bedroom. Would you help me and stay with mewhile I choose what I want to keep? And then could you box the rest up for charity?”
“That’s the price?” I demanded incredulously. Alicia raised tear-filled eyes to me and wiped them. In that moment, I knew I’d burn the world for her.
“Yes. I can’t do it, it hurts too much.”
“Not a problem. Whatever you need. Who do we need to talk to about my coming back with you?” I asked. Whoever was in charge of Alicia might not like this arrangement, but even so, I’d watch over her for now.
“No one. The court decided I was old enough to look after myself. Occasionally, someone from adult social care drops in to check on me, but that’s rare. I handle my finances, my home, and everything else. I’m going to sell the house; I can’t stay there; it hurts too much. Maybe you wouldn’t mind helping me prepare it?”
“Whatever you need,” I promised fervently. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Was Alicia an angel sent by Rand?
“They’re leaving. Your father is looking for you,” Alicia said, nodding towards where Rand’s funeral was.
“Let them. I’m only going back to fetch my stuff. I know when Dad is out of the house, so I’ll sneak in and get it.”
“What about college? Don’t you need to return?” Alicia asked.
“My course finished early. I passed with flying colours, not that it impressedhim. I’ll be returning at the same time you start.”
“Then we’ve a deal,” Alicia said, putting her hand out. I hauled her up and shook it.
“Your kindness, I don’t know how to thank you.”
“A name would help.”
