Braxton

We’ve been out riding most of the day. Dad is home. Mom kicked us all out almost the moment he arrived. We all know not to go back into the house, until it gets dark.

I’m excited to see Heather. I was hoping she would come over today so we could spar some more. I know she’s going to want to spend time with her dad, but I’m hoping we can hang out later. She did good yesterday.

I stayed with her until I had to go home for dinner. I felt good when I left Heather yesterday. She’s tough, I was sure she could handle herself.

Although, as her mother’s car rides pass, I have a sinking feeling in my stomach. I can see something is wrong right away. I pedal after the car, as fast as my little legs will take me.

I can see through the glass that Heather has her head down. I just know something’s off. I stop at the curb, when Heather’s mom pulls into Uncle Rob’s driveway.

Something tells me to wait. When a confused looking Uncle Rob comes from the house, I feel like I’m watching a movie. Debbie gets out of the car and starts to tug bags from the back seat.

“She’s your problem now,” Debbie yells, as she tosses a bag at Rob.

“What the hell is your problem?” Rob demands. “Nothing you said on the phone made sense.”

“I’ve had enough. She’s ungrateful. I don’t need this around our new baby. Take her,” Debbie shouts throwing more bags.

Rob grabs Debbie by the arm and tugs her away from Heather and the car. When he pulls her out of ear shot, I can’t hear what’s being said. Heather stands outside the car looking down at her shoes.

“No, Rob, no,” Debbie gets louder. “I asked her if there was a problem. She said, no. She keeps leaving her things around and Ernest has hurt himself repeatedly, tripping over her shit. First a skateboard, this time it was the cage to her kitten.

“He tripped with a knife in his hand in our kitchen. He has a cut across his chest. I can’t. Ernest and I are getting married, we have a baby on the way now. Enough,” Debbie yells.

Uncle Rob narrows his eyes at her. “Heather,” he calls and Heather runs over to him.

Uncle Rob bends, catching her in his arms, as she starts to sob. I watch the mix of emotions that cover his face. Oh, shit, I think to myself. Uncle Rob is going to go postal.

He says something to Heather, but she shakes her head. I wish I could hear them. Debbie places her hands on her hips, starting to ranting again.

“Enough,” Uncle Rob snarls, as he stands to his full height. “Do what you need to do, Debbie. Heather will be fine here with me.”

Rob looks like he wants to say a hell of a lot more, but he rolls his lips, cutting off his words. Debbie goes back to her car, pulling out the rest of Heather’s things. She places them in the driveway.

Rob shakes his head in disbelief. He bends to kiss the top of Heather’s head, before storming over to have a few more words with Debbie. That’s when Heather’s eyes lock on mine and I know.

I know she had to fight, and now, I have a pretty good idea who. I nod at her, silently making my promise again. When I get big, I’m going to fuck someone up over Heather.

I can’t wait until I get big.

* * *

Heather

Yeah, she asked why I tried to hurt Ernest? Why I wasn’t nicer to him? I almost told her.

I almost told her that I don’t know how long I was passed out on the floor last night. I almost told her that I woke with a pool of blood between my legs. I almost told her that Ernest ordered me to clean myself and the floor. My head was pounding, but I did as I was told. I washed my sore body, cleaned the floor in the room, and curled into a ball in the bed.

I couldn’t stop shaking. I have no idea what happened to me, while I was knocked out. I just know Ernest looked worried and pissed off, until I started to sit up from the floor. He was fully clothed when I came to.

I almost told her all of that, but one look in her eyes and I could see how much she wanted to believe Ernest. So, I said nothing. I kept my mouth shut, remembering all of my family and friends that I’d be keeping safe. I held onto the fact that I’d be safe as well, with my dad.

All I know is I need my dad. My mother made her choice, her new family. It hurts so much and I still don’t understand it, but it happened. Mom turned her back on me.

“Are you sure you don’t have anything you want to tell me?” My father asks for the millionth time, while we sit on the couch.

I shrug my shoulders. “There’s nothing to tell,” I murmur.

It’s partly true. I don’t even know what happened last night. I wish I did. I just don’t. Then there is a part of me that doesn’t think I want to know.

Dad narrows his eyes at me. “You know, if anyone ever does anything to hurt you, you can come to me,” he says slowly.

“Yes,” I nod.

“Heather,” Dad says, causing me to lift my head. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I had to leave Whiskers,” I reply. “I wanted to keep the kitten.”

It’s a lie, but it’s the best I’ve got. Dad’s shoulders seem to sag in relief. He nods his understanding. I can see him thinking, as he reaches to rub the back of his neck.

“Listen, I’ll talk to your mom and see if you can have the kitten. If not, I’ll get you a new one,” Dad offers.

I nod and lick my lips. I look over toward the window. I know Braxton is out there. I saw him watching my mom drop me off.

I have his star. I want to give it back. I want to thank him. I may not know what happened last night, but at least I know I put up a fight. I don’t know if I would’ve, had it not been for him.

Dad sighs beside me. “Go on, go play with your friends. Faith will be here soon to make us both dinner.”

I look to my dad. “I need to talk to her,” I say softly.

Dad’s brows draw in. “O—kay,” he says slowly.

I curl my fingers into my t-shirt. I haven’t stopped bleeding since last night. I’ve never had a period. I don’t know if I have one now. I’d just feel better talking to Faith about it.

“It’s girl stuff, Dad,” I murmur.

His face relaxes and he gives me a small smile. He nods his head, as if understanding. I can see some of the worry fall away.

“I like her dad,” I add.

“Yeah, I do too,” he gives me a small grin. “We’ll have to do something about that. It’s time you had a real family, Kiddo. I won’t be leaving you again.”

At those words, I fling myself at my dad. He gives me a tight hug, holding on for a while. I get the feeling he’s not buying my story completely, but I can’t afford that.

“I missed you, Dad,” I say, when he releases me.

“I missed you, too. Something awful,” his eyes glisten with his words.

I feel warm and safe inside. I give him a real smile, it feels like the first one in forever. I see him relax just a bit more. I hug my dad again, before I head outside.

Just as I thought, Braxton is sitting on the curb, with his bike on the ground. He’s been waiting. He stands when he sees me coming.

I’m not expecting his next move. When I get to him, he pulls me into a hug. He holds on tighter than I expect his little arms to be able to.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“For what?” I reply back just as softly.

“I’m not big enough. If I was big enough, I would’ve protected you,” he says sadly.

I pull away, looking him in his eyes. I can see the hurt in them. I look down at my own feet. I think about last night and how his voice ringing in my head gave me strength.

“Don’t be sorry. You helped me more than you know,” I reach in my pocket and hand over the metal star I took.

“You keep it. You never know when you may need it,” Brax shakes his head.

“I hope I never need it again,” tumbles from my lips.

“Yeah,” he nods.

“Don’t tell anyone. Okay?” I plead.

“It’s between us,” Braxton spits in his palm and holds it out to me.

I look down at his small fingers. Again, I wonder how one of the smallest people I know saw through me, when my own mother didn’t. My heart hurts, but I spit in my palm and clasp my hand to Braxton’s.

When we lock eyes, I can see that we just made more than a promise. I can feel the bond we’ve formed. It’s a bond that even in my young mind, I know will last forever.

Braxton has been my person, when I didn’t know how much I truly needed one. Who would of thought, the person I was so mean to,—calling him a baby,—would be the one person I could trust.

“Between us,” I say, shaking his hand.