Page 44 of Property of Quake

Carrie: What about her?

Me: Seriously?!

Carrie: Is she okay?

The question is appropriate, but it doesn’t even begin to make me feel better. Carrie’s never been one to go above and beyond for the children on her case load, but I’ve never gotten the impression that she simply didn’t give a shit about them.

Normally, she’d be calling, issuing orders and demanding details, if for no other reason than to keep herself in charge. Sure, she’ll text, but not often.

Me: No. Get here.

A full minute passes with no response, which only feeds my irritation.

Me: Now!

Carrie: Quake…

My grip tightens around the phone.

Me: Don’t. Don’t you dare give me some bullshit excuse

Carrie: Fine. Your vm said she was at your place. What’s the address?

I type it out and hit send before sending a quick text to Lyric about having to give out the clubhouse address. He replies quickly that he understands. I shove my phone into my pocket and lift my head to watch Melissa again. Whitney has joined her, and the two of them are playing with Stella.

“Was that Carrie?” Sister Beatrice asks.

“Yeah.”

“Is she going to come see Melissa?”

“She says she is.”

The woman nods, but I get the impression she’s as skeptical as I am.

Nearly an hour later, the security light flashes at the corner of the clubhouse, indicating that someone has driven onto the property. I watch the lot and see a blue sedan pull around and park.

Melissa and Whitney rush over to where Sister Beatrice and I have remained, and Melissa’s smile fades. It’s slow, the shift from playful to wary, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m the only one who notices it.

Stella bounds after her master and presses her body against Melissa’s leg in silent support, sensing she’s needed.

Carrie climbs out of the car, and the first thing I notice is how exhausted she looks. She stares at the clubhouse, her hand remaining on the open door. I assume she’s orienting herself, taking in her surroundings to get a feel for where Melissa is staying, but I dismiss that thought when the seconds turn to minutes.

Carrie’s shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath as if mentally preparing herself, and then she leans in to grab something. When she’s fully visible again, she shuts the door and turns, holding a notebook and pen. Her eyes immediately find Melissa, and something flashes in her expression, something I can’t quite put a finger on.

It’s not fear or shock, but… something. Then she smiles, whatever I think I saw disappearing before I can make sense of it.

“I came as soon as I could,” she says after we all cross the lot to meet her.

“Took long enough,” I bite out.

She levels her stare on me, anger crossing her features. “I was working.”

“Obviously not, otherwise, you’d have picked up the phone. A kid you’re responsible for got hurt.”

“I know.”

“No,” I snap. “You don’t know because you weren’t there.”