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“I know. I know.” He shrugged into a shirt. “Stay safe.”
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
“What then?” He pulled on a jacket and grabbed his passport from the rickety cupboard in the kitchen.
Nolan’s voice was deadly sober. “The girl, if it’s really him, then… he’s coming back for her.”
Finn pulled his fingers into fists and growled, “I’m counting on it.”
4
Jewel slapped dusty headphones over her ears and logged into the computer at the internet café near the bakery. Her stomach churned with excitement and she punched her information into the video chat app, waiting impatiently for Juney’s face to appear.
The bubble on screen expanded, revealing her brother.
A cry of joy tumbled from her lips.
“Jewls!” Juney waved, his hand turning into a blur in front of the camera.
“Hi, baby.” Jewel pressed her fingers to the computer monitor. Juney’s rich brown skin and bright brown eyes peered at her. His hair was closely cropped and it suited his handsome face.
Juney moved closer to the camera. “Are you crying?”
“No, I’m not.” Jewel swiped away a tear. “I’ve got coconut oil in my eye.”
“You’re still dunking your hair with coconut oil?” He smirked.
“Yes. It’s cheap, natural and healthy.”
“You should go and buy some real hair products,” Juney said, talking like a forty-year-old man instead of a twelve-year-old boy. “Instead of spending all your money on me.”
“Maybe later.” She shook her head. “Tell me everything that’s happened this week. Don’t leave anything out.”
Juney dove into a spiel about his classmates at the academy for gifted children. Jewel hung on every word.
A year ago, just before she’d saved enough to run away from him, Juney was offered a scholarship to study in San Pedro. She’d used her savings to send her brother to the island and then ran away on her own, living off the streets for a while until she’d saved enough to rent the shanty she now called home.
“…and that’s when our teacher got up and yelled, ‘who drew a moustache on the skeleton?” Juney threw his head back and laughed. “Everyone lost their minds.”
Jewel sighed contentedly. “That’s great. I’m happy you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Thanks.” His smile dimmed. “Have you talked to Mom?”
“Not recently.”
“She called me a few days ago. Said she hadn’t heard from you.”
Jewel glanced away. “Mom must have lost the address I gave her.”
“It’s okay, you know,” Juney whispered, his eyes revealing wisdom beyond his years. “I had to get away from her too. If you don’t want her around, I wouldn’t blame you.”
Jewel forced a smile. “Don’t be ridiculous. I love Mom.”
“Okay.” Juney stretched out the word as if he wasn’t convinced. “Well, I should get back to studying. Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.” Jewel signed off.
As soon as the screen went dark, she collapsed into the chair and let out a frustrated groan.
