Chapter Twenty-Four
I wake up in my bed and look around. The sun is streaming through the dirty window, brightening up the room.
I look around, but I can’t find Dalton.
Is this a dream?
“Dalton?” I call.
“He’s gone outside,” Daddy says from the door. “Hello, my precious Jocelyn.”
I swallow. Daddy sometimes scares me, especially when he hurts mommy.
I haven’t seen mommy for a while and I’m worried she won’t come back, and I’ll have to sleep next to Daddy.
He said so.
He said it is my place.
“Jocelyn,” Luke says, touching my hand.
I release the breath I didn’t realize I’m holding and give Skylar a small smile. “Sorry, my mind was wandering.”
“That’s no good,” Luke says. “You should always be present for your family, Jocelyn.”
Skylar gives me a strange look, as though I’ve broken a sacred rule, but goes back to her pizza.
“Perhaps I can play with the children when we’re done eating, just for a little.”
“We can all play,” Skylar says boldly.
She hasn’t lost that yet. I hope she never does. She won’t if I’m successful.
Richter doesn’t say anything. His eyes don’t shine as brightly as Skylar’s. I wonder if he already knows something is up.
“Maybe another time,” Luke says. He’s lost the playfulness in his voice.
Skylar seems to know better than to argue.
I pick up a slice of pizza and bite into it. My least favorite—mushroom.
He did that on purpose.
He always did that on purpose.
Little things that would irk me, that would wear me down.
Things that would otherwise be inconsequential when you don’t have a shit-ton of other horrible things happening in your life.
I eat though. I need the energy.
I know Luke isn’t done with me.
I’m not done with him, either.
He stands up. “I will get us some water.”
He walks out of the room, and I swallow.
I look at the children, but I don’t want to say anything, especially if it will get them in trouble.
Luke comes back with a pitcher and pours water into each of our cups.
I gulp mine down and set it in front of me. “Sorry, I’m really thirsty.”
Luke eyes me out, “More?”
I nod. “Please.”
“Please, who?”
“Please, Daddy,” I breathe.
He fills my glass. “See, we can all have manners.”
I sip the water this time before I go back to my pizza. I eat slower than everyone else, but Luke makes the children sit there until I’m done.
“Right.” He claps his hands.
I don’t miss Richter’s flinch.
“You guys go outside to the field next door and play hide-and-go-seek. We’ll call you back when we’re done talking.”
“Yes, Daddy,” they chorus.
I watch as they leave.
“You have no intention of keeping me here.”
“Oh, I intend on keeping you here, Jocelyn. Why would you think so badly of me?” Luke holds his hands up. “Finish your water, then we’ll go check on Von.”
“Are you going to put him in the hole?”
“Only precious mistakes go in the hole.” Luke says, standing up and offering me his arm.