“You’ve never been shy about telling me off or pointing out when I’ve messed up.” She poked him in the chest and told him that she loved him. “So you don’t love anyone but me? I find that hard to believe. You’re a very loving person. Everyone loves you.”
“What? I don’t even know what we were talking about anymore. Not everyone loves me. What were we talking about?” Sampson was enjoying this talk much more than he thought he should. “Babies. That’s right. Why don’t we go to the adoption agency and get a kid there? That way, if we screw up too much on raising it, then they’ll see that we’re terrible people and take him or her away from us, and we’ll know.”
“You’re never going to be considered a bad parent. You’re going to be a good mom, and you’ll make sure that our children are considered to be good kids too.” Allie told him that she loved him. “And I love you too. If you were serious about adopting children, we can file the paperwork whenever you wish.”
“You say that as if you might not have any say on the matter.” He said that his entire life was now only to make her happy. “That’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. How can I be happy if I know that you’re sacrificing your own happiness to make me happy? You have to be happy and a part of every decision we make, or it wouldn’t be a partnership between us.”
“Right there, that’s what I’m talking about. You are the best woman in the world. Even my mom pales when compared to you. But please don’t tell her that.” They were both laughing as they finished shopping and made their way to the front. Before he was able to put the first thing on the belt, she stopped him with her hand on his arm. “Allie? What is it?”
“Look at them.” He didn’t know where she was pointing but followed where everyone else was looking. Just outside the door to the store were three children. “They’re begging for food. Should we get them something to eat?”
Sampson had seen this before. It was a scam. Sometimes—not every time, but sometimes—people would put their children out as beggars so that they could get free food. It would be food that they’d then sell off for money that they didn’t really need. Sampson thought that in his lifetime, he’d seen it all.
“Sampson, are they in trouble?” He looked down at her and reached out to their minds. “Tell me that this is real. Not that I want them to be hungry or starving, but I also don’t think I could take one more person taking advantage of me. If it’s not right, then we’ll just—”
“They’re very hungry. The youngest one hasn’t eaten for several days, the other two longer than that. They were living with their grandmother, but she kicked them out when the oldest one lost her job delivering pizzas when the place went out of business.” Allie asked how that was her fault and how old she was. “Seventeen. The middle one is fifteen, and the little one is thirteen. They’re starved, love. Not just that, but they’ve been sleeping behind this store for the past three weeks with nothing more than a few sheets of newspaper to cover them up.”
“Where are their parents?” Sampson told her that the kids didn’t seem to know. “How is that—? You know what, I don’t care. You pay for this, and I’ll meet you someplace where there is food. Sampson, I love you to death, but if you come out there, you might terrify them. I don’t know what’s going on, but I bet that they’ve learned to be afraid of big men.”
Sampson told her that he’d meet her at the restaurant inside this store. He took his time paying for his things, and at the last minute, threw in a handful of candy bars. Not the best way to win someone over, but he’d bet they’d eat about anything right now.
Keeping an eye on the four of them, he knew when she’d convinced them that she was harmless. The youngest, even at her age, looked like she was ready to bolt at any second. When she was able to bring them inside and pointed at him, Sampson waved at the girls. As they were making their way to the sub place, he wondered if they’d just adopted a bunch of life wary kids.
~~~
Allie asked them what they wanted to eat before she got their names. They were too thin, and she could tell that they’d been living without water for some time now. However, even with that being said, she could tell that they had found a way to wash their hands and faces, and their hair had been brushed as well as pulled into some kind of braids.
“They have about anything you’d want to eat.” The oldest girl asked her why they were doing this. “Because I can. Besides, you weren’t getting many people handing you sandwiches out there, now were you?”
“You’re very rude.” The little one told the oldest that she was hungry. “We’ll find something later. Like we always do. We’ll just have to wait, Hanna. We’ll be fine.”
Allie got down on her knees and spoke to Hanna. “My name is Allie. Allison really, but everyone calls me Allie. What sort of food do you like? I mean, burgers and French fries? Or do you want a grilled cheese?”
“I want something like....” As she thought of what she wanted, Allie turned to the middle girl. She looked lost as if she wasn’t sure to trust anyone. When she took the elder girl’s hand, Allie wondered what had happened to have these little girls living off the streets. “Can I have some of everything?”
“Hanna.” Both sisters scolded Hanna, but Allie laughed. “You tell this woman that we’re just fine and that we’ll be on our way.”
“We’re not just fine, and you know it.” Hanna looked at Allie as she continued. “I want a bed. A bath. I just want to be not scared anymore. And food when I want it. Not after the stores are closed and we have to go to the trash bins to eat. Help us, please?”
“Of course, I will.” Allie ordered burgers and fries, pancakes and sausage, bacon and eggs. There were other items that she added to the list, then doubled it all. Sitting down, Allie wondered where Sampson was but decided to try and help the girls as best she could. “You don’t trust me. I can even understand that. But I do want to help you in any way you’ll allow me to. If you were to tell me your names, that would be a good way to start.”
“You’ll call the police on us.” Allie assured them that she’d not do that. “I don’t trust you any more than I do anyone else. What makes you think that I should just forget all that’s happened to us because you want to spend money on us now, then toss us aside?”
Her hand connected with the girl’s face before she could stop it. But Allie had had enough. Stiffening her back, she glared at the child.
“Look here. I’ve done not one thing to you since I saw you out there begging for money. I’ve been nice to you. Polite, even though you seem to have a nasty disposition. I know nothing of you or your parents, but I have a feeling that they raised you correctly in that you took care of your family. Or someone else, someone close to you, instilled the protective nature you seem to have over your sisters. Now, you will drop the attitude and speak to me politely, or you will keep your mouth shut. Understand me?” She nodded. “Good. I think this is our food. Eat what you want of it. But please don’t eat too quickly. I would imagine that you’ve not had too much in the way of food, and it might make you very ill if you were to eat too fast or too much.”
The two younger ones ate, but the eldest just sat there. It wasn’t until she heard from Fisher that she knew where Sampson was. Allie was so relieved that she didn’t mind that the girl had yet to give her her name.
Sampson sent me over to see if I could get anything from the girls. Also, he’s picking up a cell for them in case they won’t go home with you. From what I can tell from him, he thinks they might be your children. Allie told him what had happened. I’m not going to tell you that you were wrong if that’s what you think. Sometimes it takes a little sternness to get the attention of someone that has been hurt a great deal. I’ll be with you soon.
“Our parents went on a trip and never came back.” Allie asked her where they’d been staying when they left. She was so glad that the oldest was speaking now that she didn’t car
e what her name might be. “I was watching over us. They gave me some money to pay for pizzas and such. And Grandma’s number if we got into trouble. It wasn’t much, just fifty dollars. They were only supposed to be gone for a couple of days. But after a week, there wasn’t anything left in the house.”
“Not that there was much anyway.” Hanna looked at her between bites as she finished up the story. “We didn’t have much at all even when they were home. And it was our uncle that taught us to take care of each other. But he passed away a long time ago, or we would have gone to find him. My sister there is Mary, she’s thirteen. Stubborn butt is our older sister, Lynette. She’s seventeen and has been doing a good job keeping us safe. My name is Hanna, like I said before. I’m fifteen. And striving not to be like Lynette more and more every day.”
Allie laughed, then the girls joined her. Just as it seemed they were getting comfortable with her, Fisher showed up and plopped down beside her. He snatched some fries off Hanna’s plate and ate them while talking with his mouth full.
“This isn’t nearly enough for us.” Hanna said it had been for her. “Yeah? Well, we’ll get some more. My mom and dad are coming. I’m Fisher Prince. Allie is married to my brother Sampson. You guys are adorable.”
The waitress came to get an order from Fisher just as Sampson and his parents joined them. After they were all finished ordering, the girls seemed to go back into their shells. Even Hanna, who was the most outspoken of them all, seemed to huddle closer to her sister.
“Dad, you’re scaring the girls.” Buck looked at the three of them before putting out his hand. Fisher told him again that he was scaring them. “Just let them eat in peace. You remember that word, don’t you?”
“Don’t be a smartass, Fisher. You’re not too old for me to take to the woodshed.” Buck still had his hand out. “I’m these here boys’ dad. This is their momma. I promise you that we raised them up right. Why don’t you take my hand into yours, and we’ll get to know each other?”
When Lynette looked at her, Allie nodded. While she had no idea about the future for these girls, she did want them to have friends when they needed them. And there couldn’t be any better than Buck and Sara Prince. As soon as Lynette put her hand into Buck’s much larger one, Allie was surprised to see the girl start to cry.
“We’ve been so alone for so long.” Buck told her that she wasn’t anymore. “My grandma, she said that if I was too stupid to hold down a job, then I didn’t deserve a roof over my head. I tried to get her to take my sisters, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Said they were nothing but germ vectors, and she wasn’t going to have us killing her off because our parents were too stupid to take better care of us.”
“They’re dead. You know that, don’t you?” Lynette nodded at Allie, then shook her head. “They were killed about eighteen months ago when their car was run off the side of the road into a forest of trees. No one told you because they were only just found today. I’m really sorry about this.”
“They weren’t good people.” Allie looked at Melissa when she spoke up. “Uncle Thomas said they were deadbeats. That they didn’t deserve us. I didn’t believe him until they left us without any money for so long. Them being dead, it’s not a good reason for us to be out of our house, do you think?”
“No, honey, I don’t. But then, you don’t have to worry none about that now.” Melissa took Allie’s hand and held it tightly. Buck looked at all three of the girls before looking at her. “Why don’t you tell me who we got here, Allie, and then we’ll see about getting them a place in your home? You got room, don’t you?”
“I have plenty of room, Buck. And thank you.” Sara fussed over the girls as they finished eating, and everyone was introduced. Fisher made it a point to hold each of the girls’ hands, and she was glad for it. If anyone could find out more about them, she was sure it was him. But they could not convince them to come and stay with them.
“If you won’t stay with us, that’s…well, I was going to say that was fine, but it’s not. I’ll worry as much as Allie will. But I have you this cell phone. I want you to keep it on you at all times. It’s been charged up and programmed with mine and Allies’ numbers, as well as my parents. If anything happens that makes you feel scared or uncomfortable, you call one of us, and we’ll come right for you. This isn’t a scam, girls, this is the way to make sure that nothing happens to any of you while you’re trying to make it in this world.” Lynette asked Samson what it was going to cost her. “Nothing but for you to be safe. You might think, as I’m sure Allie has told you is incorrect, that we’re after something. But I promise you that we’re only looking out for your wellbeing. I have money for you as well.”
It was Melissa who shouted no to the money. When she flushed brightly, she lowered her head as she explained. It was difficult to hear her, but Allie was positive that each and every one of the Princes that were there could hear and feel every uttered word.
“There is a man who stalks us. He hasn’t hurt us yet, only to slap us around, but he is looking for money. I don’t know what he’d do to us if he found some on us with a phone.” Melissa looked right at Allie. “I’d like to come and stay with you forever. But I’m the youngest, and while I can vote with my sisters, we have to talk about this.”
“And you should, too.” They all looked over at Sara when she spoke up. “I too would love for you to come and live with Allie and Sampson, but I also understand family. I myself have six boys, and I love them to pieces. But when we have a family decision to make, they all have their say, and that’s a good way to do things.”
All three of the girls were shown how to use the phone. Not just how to turn it on and make a call, but how to take a picture too. Allie was sick to her belly; she was so worried about the children. It wasn’t until Fisher put his arm around the back of her chair that she thought he might know something she didn’t.
Hopeful that whatever he knew would be a good thing, Allie let them go with extra food and the phone when it was apparent that they all wanted to keep them with them. She even managed to give them a little hug each before she had to let them go. Allie turned to Fisher.
“They’re going to be safe for the sole reason I’ve connected a buddy of yours to watch over them.” She asked if it was Morgan or Kenny. “Kenny. Morgan is busy, but Kenny will be with them until they call. And I’m betting they will. Their stalker is going to be sorry that he ever fucked with those kids if he so much as breathes in their direction.”
“Good. And if for some reason Kenny doesn’t get to take care of them, I will. No one messes with what is mine.” Sampson hugged her and told her that he loved her. “I love you too, but this isn’t going to end well for the grandmother either. You just wait until I find that bitch.”
“I know who she is.” Sara smiled at her. “I’ll only give you her name if you allow me to go with you. This woman has been on my shit list since she was a little girl. She used to pull up my flowers in the garden when she thought no one was looking. I’m going to help you teach her a lesson in family she won’t soon forget.”
“No, she will not.”
As they were leaving the shopping mall, Sampson’s phone rang. She thought for sure it was the kids, but he reached for her soon after saying his name. Something had happened, but to whom she didn’t know just yet.
Chapter 11
Sampson simply sat with Allie when the funeral director went on about how they could do the same with Howie’s body as she’d done with the others. She didn’t seem to be connecting with anyone today, not even him, but was going about business more like it was a chore rather than taking care of her only living relative.
“The police said that he hung himself. Is that what you saw?” The director asked her what she meant. “I don’t know. The police didn’t hurt him, did they? I mean, I don’t think they would, but he seemed so set on coming after me to kill me.”
Clearly, he w
asn’t sure what to do with her question, so William looked at Sampson. Reaching for her hand, he asked her if she wanted him to do this. She only had to look at him for Sampson to know that it was too much for her. Pulling her into his lap, he asked William to continue.
It only took them another ten minutes to get the paperwork squared away and for Howie’s body to be sent to the college where the others had gone. It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford to have a lavish funeral, but he didn’t think that it would do anyone, especially Allie, any good whatsoever.
At a quarter past noon, his phone rang again. This time it was the phone number that he’d given the girls. Answering it as they were leaving the funeral home, Sampson wondered what else could go wrong today. Not that he minded most of what he’d been working on since leaving the shopping mall, but it was too much. He answered the phone with just his first name.
“There is a man here.” The whisper of the voice on the other end had him whispering as well. He asked who he thought was Hanna if she knew him. “If I knew who he was, I would have said, ‘Joe is here.’ But I don’t know him.”
“All right. Don’t get your panties in a twist. Where are you?” She told him she was sorry, and then told him where she was. “Where are Lynette and Melissa?”
Sampson put it on speakerphone so that Allie could hear her speaking too. “They’re here with me, but Lynette is hurt. She fell down, but now I think this man hit her. He’s calling for us to come to him.”
“He doesn’t know your names? The reason I ask you that is because we had someone there with you.” Hanna said that he was only calling for the little girls. “Okay. This is going to be something that will frighten you, but I want you to scream for Kenny. I don’t think someone would have gotten the jump on him, but I also don’t think he would have left you alone like this.”
Sampson was getting in the car when he handed the phone off to Allie. She started talking to Hanna about her sister as he pulled out into traffic. Reaching for his family, he called them all to go where the girls were. Kenny wasn’t answering.
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