Chapter 21 #2
“Sure.” I tug on her hand. “Come and see all the toppings. I’ve got strawberries and bananas and blueberries and peaches.”
The girl follows me without much prompting. Brenna trails after us. We load up a plate and I get her settled at the table across from Master Theo and next to Daddy. Then I go and make plates for Daddy and myself.
Daddy rewards me with a forehead kiss when I serve him and seat myself.
He has Livvy tucked into his right arm, her head cradled in the curve of his shoulder.
She’s looking up at him, her face shifting with his every expression.
I know from reading baby books that she’s listening, learning, the way babies do but she looks up at him so adoringly.
I can’t believe it’s not love. When he notices, he hums a bar of “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast. She breaks into giggles.
I blink back tears, seeing how much Daddy’s relaxed with his daughter.
Everyone serves themselves and eats. I’ve topped up everyone’s tea and coffee before Master Theo finally addresses the elephant in the room.
“Sorry to play the heavy but I’m the cop Logan spoke to last night while you were listening,” he says to True, who has been introduced to everyone by name only.
The girl goes rigid in her chair. “I’d like to say that I’m not going to involve your social worker but I have legal obligations if I determine you’re unsafe, so I’m not going to make a promise I’d have to break.
Can you tell me why you felt your placement was unsafe? ”
True looks at Master Mac, then Daddy. She shakes her head.
Brenna leans forward in her chair. “True, I was in the foster system for years. I had bad placements, too, including some where the fosters hurt me. I promise no one here is going to judge you for protecting yourself by leaving and seeking a safe place.”
True swallows hard, her eyes darting around the table. She tips her chin at Mistress Maude. “What about you?”
Maude smiles. It’s a gentle smile but even that looks pretty scary, I’ll admit. Mistress Maude can only tone down so much. “What about me, dear?”
“You and him have the power in this room,” True says, lifting her chin at Theo. “He’s a cop. What are you?”
I glance at Daddy. He’s folded his lips together to control his expression. I think he’s as surprised as I am by how quickly True’s picked up on the hierarchy in the room.
“A retired nursing administrator,” Mistress Maude says with an amazingly straight face.
Brenna snorts. “Okay, stop trying to bullshit the kid. You’re right, True. Maude and Theo hold a lot of power in this room.”
“Is she—” True’s voice cracks. “Is she here to evaluate me? Like for lock-up?”
A chorus of nos circles the table.
Maude silences everyone with an upraised hand. “I’m not a psychiatrist, True. I’m a retired nurse. However, you’re right that I have influence. I know many people, including social workers in New Jersey. That’s why I’m here.”
True nods but looks thoroughly cowed.
“This is intimidating to me, much less True,” Bren says. “You can’t bring all this weight down on her. Someone reassure her that she’ll have a safe place to stay tonight at least.”
Master Mac clears his throat. “I can do that. True, did you feel comfortable with Walter and Erma last night?”
True nods.
“They’re happy to have you back. They’ve offered you a place for fourteen days while we get the emergency application pushed through. It doesn’t have to be any more than a place to sleep if you don’t want. But you do have a safe place with them.”
True’s small shoulders drop an inch or two. “Thanks.”
“However, Walter’s insisting that we contact your social worker today,” Mac says. “If you won’t tell us why you feel unsafe, we’re going to have a much harder time arguing that you should stay with Walt and Erma.”
True’s eyes slide from Mac to Brenna. She straightens under Mac’s arm.
“You know what? There’s too much Dom energy in here. It’s giving me indigestion,” Bren says. “How about we build a blanket fort and watch a movie? Subbie time.”
I nod vigorously. Bren and Austin help me clear the table. Georgie starts to rise as well but Maude keeps him at her side with a manicured hand on his arm. After a minute, True gets up from the table and brings us a double-handful of dirty plates.
I thank her with a warm smile and get a shy one in return.
“Was Brenna serious about a blanket fort? Because I’m too old for that,” she says as she lingers next to me at the sink.
“She was,” I confirm. “And I don’t think anyone’s ever too old for a blanket fort and a movie. I’m certainly not.”
True eyes me. “You’re a little, right? I heard Master Logan talking about it. But, um, I’m not really sure what it means. You’re not that small.”
I grin at her. “Little’s not a size. It’s a state of mind. It’s enjoying being taken care of and being free to do things I like doing, regardless of my physical age.”
“Oh.” True scratches her chin. She’s clean, doesn’t smell but I get the feeling she hasn’t been able to take care of herself. Her skin and hair look dry, really dry, like she’s been using antibacterial soap to wash herself. “I guess a blanket fort and a movie would be okay.”
“Would you like a shower or a bath first? You can use anything in the bathroom.”
“Is there a lock on the door?” she asks.
My heart breaks for her.
“Yes, there is,” I say. “No one will come in. You can use Brenna and Mac’s bathroom if you feel safer in there. They have a really nice bathroom with a screen Brenna painted. It’s very cool.”
True’s eyes shift to where Bren’s returning from the table with another load of plates. “She’s an artist?”
I nod. “Tattoo artist.”
True’s mouth drops open. “Did she do all those tattoos?” She shakes herself. “Sorry, that’s a stupid question. She didn’t do her own tattoos. She couldn’t reach.”
“She drew all of them,” I say. “Another tattooist who works for her did most of the actual tattooing.”
“That’s cool,” True says. “I’d love to get some tattoos.”
“Talk to Brenna about what you’d like done. She does amazing designs and she’ll hold them until you’re old enough.”
True screws up her face. “I’m old enough now. I’d just need a parent or guardian to sign off on it and there’s no way Blaire would agree to it.”
I keep my expression neutral at her slip but fear flickers through True’s eyes.
“Would you like Brenna to show you up to the bathroom?” I ask.
True nods. “I don’t understand. Master Logan said it was his house.”
“It is. We all live with him.”
True glances back at the dining table. “Everyone? How? Like, I get you live here because you’re engaged.” She nods at my ring. “But how does everyone fit? This place doesn’t seem that big.”
“Some days it does feel like this many people live here because we love having guests but right now, it’s just four of us. Logan, me, Mac, and Brenna. Oh, five, because Livvy lives here, too.”
“She’s your daughter?” True asks.
I shake my head. “She’s Logan’s daughter.”
True’s eyes bounce from Logan to his lapful to me. “But not yours?”
“Nope, not yet. Maybe someday.” I don’t use the word adoption because Bren’s told me how difficult that word can be for foster kids.
True looks like she’s mulling our living situation over with great seriousness. I wave to Bren and ask her if it’s okay if True uses her bathroom. Bren nods. She holds out her hand to True. “Should we scavenge Emily’s wardrobe for something you’ll be comfortable in? Emmy has the best clothes.”
True glances at me warily. I nod. “You’re welcome to borrow anything. Comfy clothes for a blanket fort and movie are mostly in the dresser. Bren knows where everything is.”
“Okay, thanks,” True says. “I have my own clothes but everything’s back . . . um, in New Jersey.”
“Borrow anything you like,” I confirm.
Brenna leads True off through the great room while I return to Daddy’s side.