Hell And Back(24)

She just nodded, trying to make an excuse to leave, but Lilah was too busy pulling her hand toward the living room.

Brenda quickly made her escape, claiming she was tired and needed a nap, leaving behind the two girls, who are now curled up on my couch, sleeping.

“I’m not doing anything, Mom. I’m helping my friend’s granddaughter and her daughter feel safe.” I put the dishes down next to her quietly.

“Jackson, I see the way you look at her. You want to save her. She isn’t going to let you save her if she can’t save herself.” She just continues washing the dishes, not making eye contact with me.

“Mom, look at me!”

“Did you see Lilah when I dropped my fork? You know they are fighting something even bigger than I can save them from.”

“Jackson, I do—”

I cut her off before she finishes her sentence. “She asked me to help her build a castle to keep the monsters away.”

My mother gasps, bringing her hand to her mouth, water leaking everywhere.

“And that isn’t the worst of it. She wants to make sure they don’t get any ouchies, Mom, fucking ouchies.”

The tear runs down my mother’s cheek.

“I have no idea what they are running from, but I’m going to make fucking sure when they are here or when they are in that house”—I point to their house across the street—“nothing and no one will touch them.”

“I just don’t want you to get hurt. I’ve never seen you look at someone like you look at them. Not even Kendall.”

“That’s over and done with.”

“Jackson, Kendall will never move on no matter how much I tell her she is chasing empty promises.”

“I told her it was over. It’s over. She deserves better than to wait for me. It will never happen. I will never love her the way she should be loved.”

We stop talking, and she continues washing the dishes with me drying them.

“You have a beautiful heart, Son. You just have to forget the past. We need to move on. You have been stuck there. Nothing you could have done would change what happened. You need to forgive yourself.” She cups my face in both hands. “I love you more than words, so I’m going to be the bearer of bad news. That girl is so broken, I don’t think even you can fix her. I don’t think anyone can.”

I try to shake my head out of her grip.

“But I know if you set your mind to something, you won’t let it go. So, for the sake of you and for your heart, I hope you get through to her. If not for her, then for that little girl.” She leans up and kisses me.

“Now I’m going to let myself out quietly so I don’t wake them, but I expect you to call me and fill me in. Frequently.” She grabs her purse. “Don’t make me pull out the poor old mom card, because I will.” She walks out of the house, shutting the door with a quiet click.

I laugh at the thought she is an old mom when I make my way into the living room. Bella is lying down with Lilah in front of her. The television is playing some kids TV show.

They are so small they don’t even take up half the couch. I sit next to them and switch the channels, trying to decide what to watch. I finally land on Die Hard.

Throwing the remote next to me, I put my head back and think of the day. It takes me four seconds to close my eyes.

When I feel my hand being tapped, I wake up confused for a second. The television is on a blue screen. The lights from outside bring some light inside.

“Your hand is blocking me from getting up,” Bella whispers.

I look down. Her feet are in my lap, and my arm is draped across them.

“What time is it?” My eyes get used to the darkness.

“I have no idea. I think I’ve been up for about an hour now, hoping you would move. I didn’t want to wake you, but...ummm, I have to pee.”

I move my hand from her leg, leaning over to grab Lilah from her so she can move. Placing her in my lap, I cradle her while Bella goes to the bathroom.

“Let me take her. I’m going to go. I’m so sorry we fell asleep. Must have been all the fresh air.” She goes to take Lilah out of my arms, but I stand up before she can reach her.

“I’ll carry her over. Go ahead.”

“Jackson, you don’t need to do that. I think I can walk across the street.” She places her hands on her hips.

“Good to know, now walk across it. I’ll bring Lilah.”

“Fine, ass,” she says under her breath. Once she opens up, you can see she’s feisty. Coming into her own.

When we make it to the door, she opens it, trying to grab Lilah again. Walking right past her to the stairs, I ask her, “What room does she sleep in? Or does she sleep with you?”