Page 29 of Read With Your Heart

“Like I said, we don’t know him. He didn’t come around much,” Lena explains, and it reminds me of our initial shift to this subject.

“Leon does care,” I say, holding Lena’s dark eyes. “I bet he cares very much. If he lived through losing one sibling who was his best friend, maybe he’s just frightened he’ll mess up with both of you.” I don’t know if I’m making any sense to them. “You say you don’t know each other. Maybe he just can’t express himself very well. But he cares.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to assure her or defend him when the reality is, I know nothing of Leon’s emotional state. He must care, or he wouldn’t let both girls stay here, but I shouldn’t be speaking on his behalf.

“He doesn’t act like it,” Lena says, crossing her arms. The move is a defensive stance I see often in my students.

“He doesn’t. You’re right.” My response surprises her, and she turns her head to her sister and then back to me like, did you hear this?

“He didn’t talk to you very nicely, but under that rough voice is a man who is scared for his sister. He’s in a new place too, and he doesn’t know everybody, so he wants to know where you go and who you are with to keep you safe.” I’m making this up. I have no idea. My brothers have never spoken to me like Leon did to Lena even though Jess can be gruff and moody. My eldest brother, Tom, doesn’t even know how to be serious, but I do know they are both worried about me, more so lately for my own safety. “I have two older brothers and an older sister.”

I glance at Lys, who is watching me. Our birth order is the same, but I don’t know that I ever looked as innocent as her. I wanted to fit in with the big kids, and my gaze shifts to Lena. She wants to fit in by standing out.

“Do me a favor. Can you tell your brother where you go? I’m asking because I do know this town, and as quiet as it seems, there are still some not-so-nice people here.” Trent comes to mind. He might be thirty, but he isn’t going to look away from a girl who looks twentysomething at the age of seventeen.

“Not so nice . . .?” Lena drawls, rolling her throat. “This town knows nothing about being mean.”

“That’s why I like it,” I say.

“Me too,” Lys quietly agrees.

“Do you want people to be mean?” I ask Lena curiously.

“People here are just too nice,” she squeaks, shaking her head and exaggerating with flapping arms.

“Well, I’ve known my share of mean people in this town, and I prefer the nice.”

“Girl, you know nothing of meanness,” Lena huffs, and I want to expound. I’m on the edge of telling this girl who I don’t know about the shadows in the dark and how the reality of bleakness can exist even in a small town, but I clamp my lips. I haven’t told my family, so I’m not about to tell a teenage stranger, even if my goal is to protect her. I will not give up my story simply to prove a point.

Lena and I lock eyes for a long minute. “I might know more than you think.” We continue to hold each other’s gaze, but I break first. I’m not going to pull the I’m-older-and-wiser card on her. It has no effect on kids her age. I should tell her what happened to me, but somehow, I don’t think my story will be the cautionary tale I want it to be for Lena Ramirez. She’ll think it’s child’s play, and she might be right. It’s one reason I’ve kept it to myself. I don’t want people judging me.

You’re overreacting again, Trent would say. I didn’t want to prove him right.

To my surprise, Lena stays home. Lys finishes her homework. She’s slowly getting the help she needs in school. We still don’t have her former school records and evaluative testing takes time. There’s so much documentation needed in the process to help an academically struggling child, but I’m grateful Leon gave us the consent to move forward. I’ve kept Lys after school or pulled her during study hall so she can get individualized attention from me or the special education teacher. Lys has shown dedication to improving herself, and that’s half the battle with a teen.

She helps me put away the last of their dishes, and I’m just putting on my jacket when Leon walks back in their front door. His head shoots up, and his eyes meet mine, but I quickly look away.

“I cleaned up your kitchen and put the leftovers in your fridge for you. The remainder I put in the freezer for the girls. Lena requested another tray and I promised next week I’d bring one over. They can let you know which night if you don’t want to be present, or I can have them over to my place.”

He’s still watching me as I bend to pick up the empty duffel bag, which held the old coats. Hitching it over my shoulder, I stand at the same time, preparing to walk myself out.

“I’ll walk you home,” he offers, and I snort.

“I think I can handle a few feet on my own.”

Stepping up to me, he blocks my exit. “I said I’d walk you. Just let me give something to Lys.”

“I’m not arguing with you, Mr. Ramirez. It seems like your sisters hear enough arguing already.” I’m passing judgment on his earlier confrontation with Lena. I’m no parent myself, but there’s a way to handle teenagers, and yelling at them like Leon did isn’t helping their fragile relationship.

“Now you’re dissecting how I handle my sisters? You’re suddenly best friends with them, are you?” he snaps, and I’m just done with this man. I don’t need this. I lean left, and he follows me. Shot blocked. I jerk right, but he anticipates my move and shifts with my body. However, I’ve learned a thing or two from him, and with a pivot, I curl around his large form, and I’m out the door before he finishes saying my name.

Lesson 13

A little tenderness goes a long way.

[Leon]

Fuck. She beat me at my own game.

“I’ll be right back,” I holler at a startled Lys, who stands in the living room staring at the space where her teacher just vanished. I follow Tricia, slamming the front door because I’m pissed all over again even though I promised myself I would not react. I took a long ride, made one stop, and then came home when my stomach rumbled.