Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Reaching into my back pocket, I turned and showed the little man who was watching my every move my ID.
“Alright, I see you. It don’t mean you won’t hurt her.”
I grinned, I couldn’t help it. This boy reminded me so much of myself at his age. Fearlessly protecting his loved ones.
“I feel ya. Man to man, I respect that. How about you help me make sure she’s okay?”
“Of course, she’s my girl.” He shrugged.
I tried not to let my worry for her take hold, telling myself she would be fine as I checked her over. She didn’t stir once while I took her vitals, making sure she didn’t have signs of alcohol poisoning and I didn’t need to take her to the ER to get her stomach pumped.
She was going to be hungover as all hell in the morning, that much I was sure of.
“So you’re a doctor?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“What kind of doctor?” Curtis asked, as I shined a light into her glossy eyes.
“Surgeon.”
“You like to cut people open?”
“If I have to.”
“That don’t mess wit’ your stomach?” he added, warming up to me when he realized I didn’t mean Camila any harm. “I hate blood.”
“You get used to it.”
“Anyone ever die?”
“Unfortunately, it happens.”
“That don’t make you sad?”
“It did at first but like anything in life, your mind becomes desensitized after a while.”
“What’s desensitized?”
I chuckled. “Gets used to it.”
“I wish my mind would desensitize wit’ vegetables. Camila’s always makin’ me eat ‘em and they’re gross.”
I sat down on the bed, checking her pulse. “They’re good for you.”
“Why do grownups always say that? Just cuz somethin’ is good for you, don’t mean it taste good.”
This kid.
“So, you and Camila, huh?” I questioned, playing along with him. “How long you been together?” I added, needing to get some answers about who she was and why she was living like this.
“Years. She’s my one and only.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. She’s the best. My mom…” he hesitated for a few seconds. “Sometimes she’s not the best parent and Camila lets me crash here. She’s always feedin’ me, makin’ sure I’m studyin’ and stayin’ out of trouble.”
“Are you?”
“I try. You know, I wanna make her happy. Get a good job to take care of her, cuz she’s always takin’ care of everyone else.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. She’s always helpin’ everyone out with food, money, you name it. She spends her paychecks on everyone in need. She’s lovin’ like that,” he paused, slipping off his sneakers. “Oh, and if your son keeps givin’ her a hard time, tell him I’m gonna kick his ass.”
I laughed, eyeing him.
“Camila don’t belong here, you know? She’s smart, she’s goin’ places.”
Not if she keeps missing classes because of me.
“Has she lived here for a while?”
“She’s lived in this town for most of her life.”
“I see.”
“Why you askin? Don’t you know anythin’ ‘bout her, since she’s watchin’ your kids?”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re too smart for your own good?”
“Camila does all the time.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed, getting to his eye level, so he’d feel like my equal and at ease with the next set of questions I had for him.
“What does Sean—”
His face suddenly fell pale white. “You know Sean?”
“I—”
“Is he comin’ here?” He stood right up. “I’m gonna go—”
“Relax.” I grabbed his arm. “He’s not coming here. Not while I’m here at least. Alright? I got you.”
“Dr. Pierce—”
“We’re friends, Curtis. Call me Aiden.”
“I don’t like Sean. No one likes him. I mean, he’s just a bad person.”
“I gathered that. He ever hurt you?”
“No. I stay away from him. He’s hurt Camila, a lot.”
I arched an eyebrow, letting go of his arm. “He put his hands on her?”
“Nah, I don’t think so, but I don’t remember cuz I was really little when they were together. I have seen him push her around a few times. She ain’t scared of him though. Sometimes I heard them fightin’ through the walls. She was always screamin’ at him for runnin’ around on her, whatever that means. No one messes wit’ Sean though, he’s the leader.”
“The leader of what?”
“Everythin’.”
“Hmm…” Camila groaned, moving her head.
“Is she gonna be okay?”
“She’s going to be just fine.”
“She smells like a bar. Is she drunk? She don’t drink, so somethin’ bad musta happened.”
I took a deep breath, feeling like I couldn’t catch a fucking break tonight.
“It’s been a long day. How about we get some rest, yeah?”
He nodded. “You promise Sean isn’t comi—”
“I swear.”
Curtis laid down next to Camila and I sat on the couch, spending most of the night thinking about what the fuck I was going to do.
Rubbing my thumb along my lips, I watched her sleep without even realizing I was doing so. From her long dark brown hair spread across her pillow, to her pouty lips dry from dehydration, to her flushed cheeks. Her petite frame seemed smaller just lying there passed out.