“Okay, Daddy,” she said in a shaky voice.“I can do whatever you need me to do.I’ll look over Pip.”
He set her down on the soft chair inside the door and stared at her face.Damn her.He could see it.She was too smart for her own good.She knew.She knew it all.
“I wish I coulda’ been a better daddy for you, Sutton.I just…”He turned away, cursing himself for shedding tears.Sutton reached out and hugged her father’s neck.
“It’s okay.We’ll be okay.I promise.I’ll take care of Pip.”
“Don’t you let ‘em separate you, ya’ hear?Whatever happens, Sutton, you stay with your brother.Okay?”He was shocked by his own demands, his own words to his child he was leaving behind.
“Yes, sir.I hear ‘ya.”
Annie could barely look at the children, hugging them both, kissing Pip as he slept soundly on the soft chair.Sutton stared at her mother, angry for some reason.She could have done more.She could have helped more.She didn’t give Pip the medicines when his ears were hurting, instead selling it to other mama’s whose babies were sick.
Why?Her own baby was sick.Why didn’t she help him?
“I’m sorry, Sutton.I’m truly sorry,” she said leaving the children.
The door closed, and Sutton stared at her brother’s sleeping face. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run after them. But she knew it would all be for nothing. Once Daddy made up his mind, it was done.
“Sutton?My name is Miss Farmer.Everything is going to be okay, honey.You both look as though you could use some food and a nice hot bath,” she said with a smile.
“Yes, ma’am.That’d be real nice,” said Sutton swallowing her tears.
“Alright, let’s get you upstairs.For the time being, we’ll keep you and your brother in the same room.”
“Oh, he needs to stay there permanently,” said Sutton.“My brother doesn’t hear.He doesn’t know that sign stuff and he doesn’t speak.”
“Oh,” frowned Miss Farmer staring at the door as if an answer were going to enter sometime soon.“Your parents didn’t mention that.”
“Sorry, ma’am.He won’t be no bother.”
“Any bother,” she smiled.Sutton tilted her head.“He won’t be any bother.”
“Yes, ma’am, that’s what I said.”
“Come with me child,” she smiled.
Sutton woke her brother and tried to make him understand where they were and what had happened.It took much longer than she expected to get him to see that they were together and would be alright.
The big bath tub was filled with steamy hot water, bubbles and the best smelling soap Sutton had ever had.When they were bathed, their hair washed and even their nails clean, Miss Farmer put a plate with two sandwiches in front of them and a glass of milk for each.
“You eat that and go to bed,” she smiled.“I’m sure you’re tired.I’ll come wake you both in the morning when it’s time for breakfast and we’ll start to figure things out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Miss Farmer closed the door to the small bedroom and frowned, shaking her head.Those poor children had no idea that their parents weren’t returning.They didn’t even realize how filthy they were.She half expected to find lice on them but there none, thank goodness.
She turned off the hall lights and stared at the ticking clock.It was nearly two a.m.As she walked down the stairs, there was a knock at the front door, then someone ringing the bell.
“My goodness, it’s a busy night,” she thought.When she opened the door, she knew.Dread filled her body as she stared at the state troopers, their hats in their hands.
“Ma’am.Are there two children here, recently dropped off?Sutton and Pippen?”
“Oh, no,” she said shaking her head.
“We’re sorry, ma’am.We’re not sure what happened but the car was suddenly swerving according to witnesses.They think maybe the couple was fighting but it went right over the bridge on the Atchafalaya.”
“Damn,” she whispered.“How did you know they’d be here?”
