Page 26 of Royal Desire

Payne’s expression falls.

“I hardly recognize you. You really are turning into your dad.” I don’t have the energy for this or anything else. This is my version of calling Uncle. “Thank you for taking care of Grandma tonight. Blake and I were scared. For a moment, I thought we lost her.”

“Ruby, stop.”

I ignore him and turn for Grandma’s room.

“Dammit,” he hisses.

I congratulate myself for not looking back.

When I get to Grandma’s room, Blake is helping her off the gurney. She’s lost all vim and vigor and looks as tired as I feel.

“She’s officially discharged,” Blake announces.

“Take me home, kiddos. I’m tuckered out.”

I take Grandma’s other hand and give it a squeeze. “Let’s blow this joint. We’ll help you manage this, and I promise we’ll do it without making you miserable.”

“You’d better not,” Grandma grumbles. “I’ll kick you both out.”

I turn and press my lips to her cheek. “You love us too much, Grandma. You’d never do that.”

CHAPTER NINE

BEST FRIENDS

Payne

Twenty-seven years ago

“Payne, darling, this is Bess and her daughter, Ruby. Bess will work here on business days maintaining our home and laundry. Ruby is your age and will accompany her mother. When you both start school in the fall, she will come here and spend the afternoons until her mother is done with her duties. Please greet her the way I taught you.”

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you.” I stare up at Bess who looks nothing like Mama. Her hair is pulled back so tight, I’m not sure how she blinks. I’ve never seen a grown up with holes in their pants. When I get a hole in my pants, Mama gets mad and throws them away. Bess even has a picture on her shirt of a big red tongue. What a funny shirt.

Mama turns to Bess and sighs. “We will need to do something about your uniform. Our employees dress in all black, and your shirt must always be tucked in.”

The little girl pipes up. “But it’s the Rolling Stones.”

“Shut up, Ruby.” My eyes widen when the housekeeper snaps her fingers at her daughter before slapping a hand over her mouth. Bess turns to Mama. “I don’t have all black clothes. I’ll have to wait for my first paycheck.”

“I suppose that will do.” Mama does that thing with her eyes that she always does right before she leaves the room mad. “We have a tutor three days a week for our son. Your daughter is welcome to join them. If she pays attention, she might learn something.”

Bess finally takes her hand off the girl’s mouth. “Thank you.”

“Payne is to spend thirty minutes a day, twice a day, with his studies. When I’m not here, it will be under your purview to make sure that happens.” Mama turns and looks down her nose at me. “Bess is going to watch you when I’m not here. At least you’ll have a playmate to keep you busy. I expect you to follow our rules and not push boundaries. Do you understand, Payne?”

I nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

“What’s purview?” Ruby asks.

Bess snaps her fingers again but doesn’t slap a hand over her mouth this time. “Shh.”

Mama ignores Ruby’s question and keeps talking to me. “Show the little girl your activity room, the grounds, and kitchen. But she isn’t welcome in the rest of the estate.”

I look at the girl with a stain on her shirt and flip flops on her feet that look like something chewed on one of them. Her hair hangs down to her back and looks soft even though it’s not brushed.

Mama doesn’t let me eat breakfast until she sprays water all over my head and combs my hair flat.