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That final part had been underlined multiple times in black ink.
Recognition slices through me, and I audibly gasp. I know this handwriting, right down to the lopsidedt’s he used to write. Hale’s.
“What is this?” I demand, eyeing Ben.
He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I don’t know. I’m just the messenger. Daze said he’d explain everything when he got back. Now, why don’t youbothget back inside?” He nods to the door of the apartment. “I’m sure Daze will be back any minute.”
“He’s been gone all day,” I snap. “There’s no food in the fridge.”
“Really?”
“Unless you count beer as a meal,” I add.
Ben frowns. “Fucking, Daze,” I hear him hiss under his breath. “What do you need?”
I rattle off an extensive list.
Ben cocks an eyebrow. “You need that fucking much?”
“I’m hungry,” Sammy says matter-of-factly. “It’s past snack time. Auntie Lyra said to tell her if Daddy forgets my din-din.”
“Alright,” Ben says. He rakes a hand through his hair and sighs.
“Here.” I hand him Daze’s money. He could run off with all of it. Frankly, I don’t care if he does.
“Stay here,” he says before starting for the stairs. “I mean it. If you think I’m bad, you have no idea who might be watching the place from the outside. Stay.”
I swallow at the threat. Babysit, Daze said. Why am I starting to feel more like a prisoner instead?
TEN
Dazedoesn’t come back.Not by seven, when Ben returns to the apartment laden with an obscene amount of groceries. It can’t be helped. Compulsive shopping is another one of my bad habits, in addition to cleaning. Hale used to rake me over the coals for it, mocking every outfit I purchased while Mom wasted away.
So much for embodying those selfless tenants of Covenant, Frey.
Sticking out my tongue, I’d counter with a bratty,Like you do?
To which Hale would roll his eyes.Always. I live for nothing if not to serve our father’s lofty ideals of perfection.
It wasn’t always a joke. Once upon a time, he meant those words. He wanted nothing more than to live up to our father’s expectations. Then, roughly a year ago, something changed. He spoke of our father only with resentment, and the sentiment was mutual.
At least now, I think I’ve beaten him when it comes to being the family disappointment. I’m still here, wallowing in my trip to rock bottom. Not by choice, however.
After dropping off the food, Ben warned, “I live right down the hall. He’ll be back soon.”
Apparently, “soon” didn’t encompass the couple of hours that passed since then.
Caring for a stranger’s son tends to put a lot in perspective, it seems. Eight comes and goes, but when Daze hasn’t returned as the clock inches toward nine, I have no choice but to enforce Lyra’s arbitrary bedtime. Sammy has a pair of fire-truck-printed pajamas and a toothbrush in his bag, at least. Bundled up in the safe blue sheets, I tuck him into bed.
“You’re my daddy’s friend?” he asks me.
“Yes,” I say, feeling awkward.
“Ok, good night, Ms. Lady. Thank you for din-din.” Before I realize it, Sammy’s arms encircle my neck in a sweet embrace. It feels so natural to hug him back.
Sammy lays back down and closes his eyes, ready to drift off.
And I could leave. Ishould. My cell phone keeps buzzing with incoming messages, from Colton, Father, and other members of Covenant.
