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“It’s okay, sweetie.” I gathered her into my arms. “I’ll get you a new one.”
“But this one was my favorite,” she sobbed. “Why does she hate me?”
“She doesn’t hate you.” I rocked her gently, trying to placate her. “She has a disease and she needs help.” Which was partially true—even if it was a disease of her own doing.
“Can I sleep now?” she asked after a few minutes of sobbing.
I brushed her hair from her red face. “Sure can. I’m going to clean this mess up.”
“Can I sleep in your bed?” she asked in a tiny voice.
“Of course,” I said placing a kiss on her forehead. “Good night. Sleep tight.” I whispered to her.
“Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” She replied and attempted a smile.
I was filled with despair and fury as I looked around my room. Heidi did this looking for money; she had flipped all the drawers out of my dresser; clothes were strewn everywhere. Little did she know, I had an envelope of money hidden under a self-made, fake bottom of one of the drawers. I gathered and folded our clothing, and put it all, plus today’s purchases, away.
I then got our chair and put it in our open closet door and stood on it, reaching the door jamb; thankfully, my fingers found the taped envelope, and I breathed out a sigh of relief. I put Ella’s new sleeping bag on the top shelf of the closet and put our new shoes on our shoe wrack as I put away all the other shoes scattered about. I hung up our new coats and all the clothes that had been
ripped off the hangers.
I went under Ella’s bed, lifted the mattress, and pulled out one of the supporting boards; the envelope was still attached to it. I put it back in place and fixed Ella’s bed back to how we left it this morning. Her quilt was well worn, and she needed new sheets. We had three sets of sheets that I had to stagger when cleaning them. I needed to go to the laundromat in front of the trailer park soon. I mentally made plans to go on Thursday— my only other day off this week.
I dragged the chest out from out of the closet, unlocked it, and carefully pulled out the contents within. I was happy Heidi hadn’t tried to open this. My memory box, Ella’s baby blanket, my father’s favorite leather jacket, and a few other things of significant importance to me laid within. It was deep, but a secret bottom had been placed in it long before I purchase it at the thrift store. I added our food in there, leaving out some applesauce, pretzels, Yoo-hoos (Ella’s choice), and the ingredients for tuna fish sandwiches for our lunch tomorrow.
Someone had started cooking, the scents were reaching my room, as I finished putting the room back to rights. It irritated me that she was already starting to eat the groceries I had purchased tonight. I would probably have to go shopping again before next week. She stayed home all day; she got money from my father’s inheritance and welfare for Ella; I had no clue why she couldn’t contribute to the food.
“Everything okay? You’ve been having a bad week,” his soft voice intruded into my thoughts as I laid down in bed.
“If you only knew.” I felt I was extremely vulnerable in that moment and needed his ear. Most times he just let me talk; sometimes that’s all I needed. “The wicked stepmom hit me again.” I placed a hand on my face. Now that I stopped moving I could feel the pain radiating down my body. “Her current sleazy boyfriend tried to undress me this morning. My well-meaning teacher and my counselor are attempting to lay out my whole future, but they don’t understand that I can never leave my munchkin. She’s the last remaining link to my dad.” I felt tears on my face; crying was something I rarely allowed myself to do.
“Why did she stop hitting you?” he asked.
“I made her. I did it again. Am I a freak?” I asked softly.
“No!” he exclaimed. “I’m telling you if you would only hop on a bus and meet me I could show you that we aren’t alone. I have a feeling you have a rare gift, but you’re not a freak.”
“It’s not that easy,” I muttered angrily. “The last time I tried to leave with munchkin, the wicked stepmom had the cops called on me, and her new crooked lawyer boyfriend made them believe I was a liar and threatened to send me away again.”
“If you would let me know where you are… I know people. We may be able to help you,” he said insistently.
I snorted. “I thought it was you that was the secretive one. I bet the powerful one and the protective one doesn’t know you can talk to me, do they?”
“Well…” He seemed hesitant. “The last time I had this connection, I was tested over and over again. We all were. Times have changed, but… Big Brother’s been focused on this girl. He’s never been this single-minded, but he will understand where I’m coming from. He can help us. He can help you.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to trust this…How was your game and your test?” I asked trying to change the subject.
“I know what you’re doing,” he laughed huskily.
Not for the first time, I wondered what he looked like; I bet he was cute. He had a great voice.
“We won, and I think I passed my test, but barely. This special girl in my life has been keeping me up lately.” There was a flirting tone in his voice.
I blushed. “Does that line work with all the girls?” I said tartly. “Well, Philander, I’m tired, and I need to get some sleep.”
“Sometimes,” he laughed heartily. “I should get some sleep too.”
“Night,” I smiled.
