Page 47 of Property of Quake

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“I don’t know. Carrie’s here.”

“Oh,” I say. “Well, she did say she’d be back in a few days.”

“Yeah, but I figured she’d call first.”

“That’s not how it works, Quake. Child Protective Services conduct unannounced visits all the time.”

He grunts and goes to the door when there’s a knock. After opening it, he steps aside so Carrie can enter.

“Good morning,” she greets, a little too cheerfully.

Immediately, my senses tingle. I like Carrie, respect her even, but looking at her now, hearing the higher pitch of her voice, I’m… on alert.

"I came to check on Melissa."

"She's still asleep,” Quake says, his tone flat. “If you’d given us a heads up, we could’ve made sure she was awake.”

“Quake,” I admonish before focusing on Carrie. “Give me a few minutes to get her up, and you can talk to her.”

“This is the most sleep she’s likely had since her parents died,” Quake snaps.

“He’s right,” Carrie says, surprising me. “Don’t worry about waking her up.” She glances toward the sleeping area. “I, uh… I’ll call next time.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yes, Sister Emiliani.” The caseworker adjusts her purse on her shoulder. “Have there been any changes?”

"No,” Quake and I reply.

Disappointment flashes across her features. "You’ll call me if there are?"

"Of course,” I assure her.

She nods. “Melissa’s a good kid.”

The way she says it makes it sound oddly personal, but before I can think much of it, Carrie excuses herself and leaves.

Once the door closes behind her, silence settles over the room. I look at Quake, and he's staring at the door with an unreadable expression.

“What is it?” I ask.

He blinks several times before facing me. “What is what?”

“Something’s bothering you.”

His jaw tenses. “This whole situation bothers me. A kid getting hurt fucking bothers me.”

The answer is honest, but it’s not the full truth. I don’t get a chance to push for more because Melissa appears with Stella beside her. The little girl’s eyes immediately search for me and then Quake. Only once she spots us both does the tension leave her body.

This is something else that’s become a part of our morning routine, and it breaks my heart. Children shouldn't need to assess whether they're safe the moment they wake up.

"Morning," Quake says gently.

A sleepy smile appears on her face. "Morning."

“Wanna head out to the common room for breakfast?” he asks her.