by Skye Turner
His words sink in.
He’s not leaving me. Even though he can leave in a few weeks, he’s not leaving. He’s staying for me. He loves me. He said so.
I have three years left though.
I can’t ask him to stay for three years. I’m not enough for him to stay for. What do I have to offer him?!
Asking him to stay is selfish. This place is hell for him.
Ok, so he says he’s staying because he loves me… does that mean that he won’t be sleeping with those women for money anymore? Can I ask him not to do that?
I’m not a woman. I can’t give him those things… I don’t have the right to ask him to do that…
I feel his hand on my shoulder under the torn sleeve and I gasp at the contact. He frowns and pulls the fabric down. He cusses, “Mother fucker…”
I glance down, too.
My eyes widen. My shoulder is black and blue and there’s a jagged cut that needs to be cleaned in the middle of the bruise.
Hugo looks over and cusses as he sees the shadow in the moon’s glow. He stands and tells Jaye to bring me to his truck because he has a first aid kit. I try to stand, but before I can, Jaye lifts me gently and carries me over.
He sets me onto the seat and then both guys work together to carefully clean my shoulder. It hurts more than I thought it would.
I guess I didn’t realize how bad it was from the adrenaline and then the fear as Hugo and Jaye fought, but now that they are touching it as they clean it, pain radiates through my shoulder and down my arm. My breath hisses out through my teeth.
Both apologize for hurting me and I try to hold the groans in.
Finally, they’re done. Hugo frowns at me as he says, “I think you need a doctor, Rose. That’s pretty deep.”
Jaye grimaces. “They won’t take her. This will have to do.”
I jump as Hugo punches the side of his truck. “Dammit, that’s bullshit!”
Jaye nods and agrees with him. “Yeah, it is. But it is what it is and it’s the way things are in Hell.”
Reaching out, I touch Hugo’s arm and he looks at me. “It’s ok. Really. It hurts, but I’ll be ok. Thank you for coming to see me for my birthday and for helping.”
He nods. “You’re welcome. I’m going to need to head back soon. My madre is expecting me back in a couple of hours and it’s a two hour drive.” He reaches behind me and grabs something off the seat. He smiles as he hands it to me. It’s a small box that’s wrapped in shiny purple paper with a silver bow.
I trace the sides of the box with my finger and exclaim, “For me?”
He smiles. “Yeah, for you. Happy birthday. Open it.”
With careful precision, I peel the tape off and make every attempt not to tear the beautiful paper. Once it’s unwrapped, I slowly open the box and gasp as I see what’s inside. It’s a tiny, beautiful rose charm on a delicate rose gold chain. The charm is about the size of my pinkie nail, but the detail is breathtaking.
I carefully reach inside and take it out. Jaye looks into my hand and smiles at me. “It’s beautiful. What a perfect gift.”
Hugo grins.
I hand it to Jaye and ask if he’ll help me put it on. I hear him shuffle behind me and then I hear, “Here, man. Why don’t you help her? It’s your gift.”
Turning my head, I see him hand the delicate necklace to Hugo. He takes it and I lift my hair as he clasps it behind my neck. His fingers brush my nape gently before he steps back. My eyes meet his and I smile at him. “Thank you, Hugo. This is the perfect present. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a memory like this for my birthday.” Tears fill my eyes and I wipe them away. “Thank you for the present. And thank you for coming to see me today. It means more than you know.”
He smirks at me and reaches in to hug me. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long. It took a bit to get the address, but Momma finally got through to your case Worker. I’ll be back.” He looks at the house and then at Jaye before he glances back to me. “You’re in good hands though. I can see that. This place…” He shudders. “This place is horrible and it makes me furious that you’re stuck here with that man… but I’m glad that Jaye is here. I’m not as scared for you knowing that he’s here.” He reaches out and shakes Jaye’s hand. “Take care of her. Keep her safe, man.”
Jaye nods and says, “I will. Nothing is going to happen to her as long as I’m around. And I have no plans on going anywhere. I’m not leaving her here. No way in hell.” He clasps Hugo on the back and hugs me against his chest. “I give you my word.”
Hugo nods and looks to the stars in the sky. Jaye then lets me go and says, “I’ll walk to the barn. Tell your friend bye.” He leans down and kisses my head before he strolls to the barn. I see him stop in the doorway, but he doesn’t go in. He looks away though.
Hugo grabs me and hugs me to his chest. I squeeze him back and rest my cheek over his heart. He hugs me tightly and I feel his voice reverberate through my cheek as he says, “You take care, Rose. I miss you.” He sighs. “You be careful. I know that Jaye loves you. I saw that scene in the dirt. But… he’s almost a man. He’s older than you are and because of that, you be careful. I don’t think he’d ever hurt you. In fact, I know he wouldn’t, but he can break your heart. Love him. But be careful and please keep your head about you here.” He glances around and shudders again. “I have a bad feeling about this place. So, please be careful.”
I know exactly what he means…
This place is saturated in evil and I can’t shake the feeling that something catastrophic is coming…
Chapter Fourteen
Jaye
I’m watching Rose and Hugo embrace at the truck from the entryway to the barn. I kind of feel like I’m invading their privacy, but at the same time, I don’t because Rose just admitted she loves me. I love her, too.
I don’t think Hugo has romantic feelings for Rose as I originally feared. More like a deep and real friendship and I’m glad she has that. I don’t really have friends and I envy it a bit.
I think in another life, Hugo and I would be really close. He’s a good guy and I’m glad he came out to give Rose a birthday present.
I’m still infuriated about what almost happened today with Rose and Tobias in the barn, but I keep reassuring myself that nothing happened and she was smart enough to get away. She was hurt though and her clothes are ruined. I need to get her new clothes. Maybe I can get her a new dress for her birthday.
I’ll gladly spend some of my stash on something for her. On second thought, maybe I’ll get her some pants. I don’t really need her in a dress around here with the filth that lurks in wait to take advantage of the girls.
Tobias has slept with all of the girls here. Except Rose. I know this because I’ve asked them again and they’ve finally told me. He hasn’t raped them, but they aren’t exactly into it either. I know he allows them certain privileges if they submit to him and while it makes me absolutely sick, there’s nothing I can do about it.
But, Rose… she’s a different story. She’s innocent and I will do everything I can to keep her that way. I won’t touch her, because I know that if I do and Tobias finds out, he’ll use that against her. No one can know about how deeply our feelings really go. It will be a weapon they can use against us. I can’t let that happen.
I’ll have to think of a reason to stick around here. They’ll be suspicious because no one stays in this hellhole longer than they have to, but I’m not leaving.
I’ll continue to make deliveries and I’ll do my slave labor around the farm. I just won’t say anything and maybe they won’t either. I mean, I’ll do the work that needs doing and keep an eye on Rose. We can spend time together and I can protect her, but we’ll have to be careful not to make it obvious what we mean to each other.
This can work. We’re smarter than they are. We just need a solid plan…
I hear a truck door close and I look up. Rose is waving to Hugo as he carefully turns around in the yard. She
walks over toward me and Hugo stops as he lines up with us. His window is down and he leans out as he calls out to us, “If you need me or if I can help… with anything, call me.”
He stares at me and we have a silent conversation. He means it. He knows the danger here and he’s telling me that if something happens, he’ll help.
I nod as I pray that it never comes to that.
With one final wave and another look around the farm, he drives out. Rose and I listen to his engine fade as he turns onto the main road and heads toward home.
She sighs and looks up at me. The moon is the only light out here. Clouds have covered the stars and the silence is eerie. The bugs have even fallen silent.
Rose shivers as she looks apprehensively at the house. It’s quiet. Almost too quiet. That worries me. Finally, I take her hand and pull her in the direction of the sagging porch. “Come on. You need a bath. I’ll walk you upstairs and I’m going to have Raquel stay with you while you get cleaned up, ok? Tobias is not getting near you. I swear it.”
She bites her lip but nods as she follows me up the creaking steps and we head through the front door. The old TV is blaring in the shabby living room, but when I glance in, I see Tobias passed out with a liquor bottle in his worn chair.
I hold my finger to my lips as we pass by the room and head up the stairs. Once we reach the dusty landing, I point to the bathroom. It’s dark and the door is open, so I know it’s empty. Rose looks at me in fear and I gently kiss her head and push her toward the opened door. She stops at the threshold and looks at me with nervous eyes. Smiling, I nod to show her it’s ok.
She disappears into the room and I hear the latch catch as she locks the door.
Carefully crossing the hall, I knock twice on the girls’ bedroom door. It opens slowly and I see Raquel’s resigned eyes looking at me. A relieved sigh escapes her when she sees I’m the one at the door. She opens it farther and gestures for me to step in.
I do and as she starts to close it, I shake my head and look at the bathroom. “No, don’t close the door. Rose is in the bathroom.” Running my hands through my hair, I groan. “Look, can you watch for her?”
Her brows rise in question and her lips purse. “Why? What happened?”
I sigh and look around the room. Three pairs of eyes stare back at me. I have the girls’ attention. “Tobias cornered her in the barn today.” Raquel cusses and Gabby grimaces while Maria gasps. “She got away, but her shoulder is fucked up. She’s scared of him. I promised her that he wouldn’t touch her.” I implore all of them with my plea. “Please help me keep my promise.”
Gabby looks away from me, but Raquel holds my gaze. Finally, she nods. “She’s innocent. I’ll help you, Jaye.” She stares coldly at the other two girls until they look up. “We’ll help you. We’ll all help you. That sick son of a bitch has messed with us, but he won’t get to her. I promise you.”
Both worry their lip, but finally, Gabby mutters, “She’s just a kid! Asshole.”
Eventually Maria snaps, “He won’t have a chance to hurt her.”
Feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I thank all of them. “Thank you. I know what he’s done to you. I try to protect y’all as much as I can. But if you aren’t honest, I can’t help you!”
They nod and Raquel touches my shoulder. “I know you do, Jaye. You’ve taken beatings for all of us before. We’ll help you. That girl deserves better than this shithole. It’s a damn shame that she’s stuck here.” Her dark brown eyes stare into mine as she says clearly, “We’ll help protect her… for you.”
I nod because my throat is too thick with emotion for me to speak.
I hear the bathroom door cautiously open and I glance into the hall. Rose is timidly looking into the hall. She sees me talking to Raquel and her cheeks flush. I know that the girls haven’t always been exactly welcoming to her, but they’ve just given me their word that they’ll help me watch out for her. That means something.
Raquel steps around me and crosses the hall. When she gets to the bathroom, she gently pushes the door open and holds out her calloused hand. Rose stares at it in trepidation.
I nod at Rose and she looks at Raquel again and then places her small hand in Raquel’s larger one. Raquel smiles at her and I can see that it’s a real smile. She says, “Come on, Rose. Jaye told us what happened today. From now on, you stay with one of us at all times, ok? We’re working in teams and the hell with what these bastards think about it.”
Rose looks at me as Raquel leads her back into the room. She smiles as she passes me and I mouth, “Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. You’re safe.”
She nods in disbelief and mouths back, “I love you, Jaye. Thank you.”
My heart swells as the door closes behind all four girls.
With relief, I head down the stairs and out the front door back toward my bunk in the barn.
As I reach the threshold, I look up at the window. Rose is looking down at me. She waves and I wave back as the light is turned off.
She’s safe. For tonight at least, she’s safe.
But how do I make certain to keep her that way?!
*
Things are relatively quiet for a few weeks. Rose’s birthday has come and gone and today is my birthday. Today is the day that Texas state law says I’m an adult. Today is the day that I can freely leave this place and no one can say anything about it.
I woke up today and felt… free. I could walk out the front gate today and no one could stop me. But, I won’t.
I’m not leaving. I’m not abandoning Rose.
I’m out in the pig pen slinging slop to the fat little beasts when I’m startled by the sound of my name. “Jaye!”
I’m so startled, I slip and almost fall on top of the pigs.
As I turn, a grin breaks out across my face. Sam is standing there in jeans and a worn Stetson. Grabbing the pail, I jump over the gate and jog in his direction. He laughs as I get close and pulls me in for a hug.
Every year on my birthday, he comes out. He always brings me something. He doesn’t get out here too often, but he does come a couple of times a year and I love his visits. He means a lot to me, though I’ll never tell him how much.
He’s the only person who’s never given up on me… well, and now, Rose.
I pat his back as he hugs me before pulling back. He smiles into my face and says, “I wasn’t certain I’d find you here today, son.”
I nod. I know what he’s asking. He knows this place is shit. He doesn’t know the extent, because I’ve never told him, but he’s a smart man and a good cop. He knows something goes on here and he knows I’ve been counting down the days until I could leave.
I walk toward the trough to rinse off, leading him away from the house. He follows me.
Grabbing a bucket, I scoop some water out and douse it over my head. As the cool water runs down my face and chest, I grab my shirt from my back pocket and wipe. When I look up, Sam is just watching me. He quirks a brow and I know I’m not getting out of this conversation.
I look away and see Raquel’s dark head bent over with Rose’s red head in the back of the chicken coop. Sighing, I look at Sam.
He follows my gaze. I can’t help it, I look back and Rose captures my attention. She laughs at something Raquel says and it travels across the yard. Her laughing and making friends with the girls makes me happy and I smile.
Sam grunts and says, “Oh boy…”
I’m caught. Looking up, I see the stern look on his face as he looks from me back in the direction of the girls. He frowns and says, “Jaye! Are you involved with one of the foster kids?”
I think about it and debate on denying it, but in the end, I meet his gaze and glare at him. “Yeah, I am actually.”
He frowns again and says, “So, is this why you’re still here? For four years you’ve been ready to leave this place, yet now, you have free reign to leave and here you are.
“Getting involved with someone in a foster house is a bad
idea, son.”
I frown at him and say, “Yeah, you have no idea. Do you think I wanted to fall for someone here? Hell no. But she came and from the first day I knew I had to protect her. Then instead of just keeping her safe, I wanted to protect her from everything… even me. She’s a kid, Sam. She’s good and innocent and so pure and I’m so not. She’s just a kid, but I love her. I can’t leave her here.”
His eyes bug out and he sputters, “A kid?! Which girl are you in love with, Jaye?!”
Clearly and without hesitation, I say, “Rose. I’m in love with Rose.”
Sam runs his hand over his face and his hat falls off his head and into the packed dirt. Muttering under his breath, he reaches down and grabs it before slapping it against his thigh. Then, he pins me with his steel blue stare. He points. “You have some talking to do, boy. Where are we going to have this discussion?”
Knowing that he’s right to be worried, I roll my shoulders and look over at the girls one more time. They are looking this way and Rose waves shyly. I wave back before I start walking. Sam follows me and we head to the barn so I can explain to him, a cop, why I’m involved with a kid… even though I know damn well it’s against the law.
Chapter Fifteen
Rose
Raquel and I have been getting along very well. I’m really surprised, but after the barn incident with Tobias a few weeks back, all three of the girls have kept their word. I’m never alone and one of them is always with me during the day. If I’m not with one of them, I’m with Jaye.
A rough baritone voice carries on the wind and I look in the direction it’s coming from. I see Jaye talking to a commanding looking cowboy and my curiosity is peaked.
Raquel sees me looking across the yard and nods at Jaye and the man. “That’s Sam. He’s a cop in Fort Worth and he’s the closest thing to family Jaye has. He comes out a few times a year to see Jaye.” She smiles sadly. “I bet he’s here because of Jaye’s birthday.”
