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“Eddie.” When Dana says his name, his view slides to her. His eyes spring open. A genuine childlike smile spreads over his prior mean-resting face.
“Dana!” He throws sandbag arms around his sister. “Dana! Dana!”
“Hi, Eddie.” She shifts back from the giant, palming his chubby cheeks. “How are you?”
“Good. Good.” He nods, tugging his stained shirt back down over his protruding belly. “Bert’s not here. He-he went to the store.” He points at the door. “He went to the store for ice cream. He’s getting me ice cream, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles. I like sprinkles.”
“Oh, that’s nice. But I’m not here to see Bert.” She beams up at him. “I came to see you, Goose.”
“Goose. I like when you call me that. Remember, Grandpa called me Goose!” He smiles, nodding while pushing his long hair from his high forehead.
“Yes. Grandpa was great. Hey, listen, Eddie. I got a job in Texas.”
“Texas!” He claps. “We went there with Mom and Dad. Remember to see the Alamo. We went to see the Alamo.”
“Yes, Goose. I thought you might want to come with me.”
“Yes! Yes!” Eddie’s clapping gets louder. “Oh, wait.” He stops. “No.” He shakes his head and lowers it. “Bert said I can’t leave. No. I’m not allowed to go outside.” He walks to the door and back. “I have to stay inside.” He touches his face, pacing the floor. “That’s what he said. Wait here for Bert. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Eddie.” Dana touches his arm. His bouncing eyes halt on her. “I’m here now. I’m your sister. I love you. Mom and Dad, they’d want you with me. It was very nice of Bert to have you stay here while I was gone, but Goose, I’m here now, and it’s time for you to come home with me.”
Eddie stares down at her. I can almost see what she’s saying starting to register in his head.
“In Texas?” His eyes open wide.
“Yes. That’s right. We are going home where the Alamo is.”
He sets his hands on his hips. “I have to wait for Bert.”
I take a step forward. “I’ll wait. I’ll tell Bert.”
Eddie turns. His blank eyes rest on me. “You will?”
“Yes. I will.”
He turns back to his sister with a big smile. “Okay!”
“Okay.” Dana’s eyes gloss over. “Let’s get your clothes.”
“Okay.” He heads down the hall with Dana following. “I need my shirt, the one with the orange stripe on it, and…”
I release my breath as they disappear into a room.
I was apprehensive about the whole ordeal. What if Dana was the one who wanted Eddie for his money? I’m sure he doesn’t get much, maybe a social security check. Then again, Eddie could have settlement money from the accident. Who knows.
I had to be sure she was here for the right reason. After seeing the tears in her eyes and how she gazed up at her older brother, I was sold. She cares for him, and he cares for her.
The door opens.
I roll my eyes. Fuck. Did I think it was going to be this easy?
“Bert?”
The thin, willowy guy stops. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m a friend of Dana’s.”
His mouth opens. He manages to expel the first syllable of Eddie’s name before I clench his throat. I squeeze, crushing his windpipe. I press my finger to my lips with a shhh, guiding him down the hall. Dana comes running out of the bedroom.
