Razorblade Kisses(66)

Days had flown by her as she struggled with her massive caseload through the fall. Her work overwhelmed her and saved her. It broke her and then filled her with an optimism she wasn’t used to having in her brain. She dove headfirst into the world of these kids and at times it threatened to swallow her whole. She blinked and Christmas had already passed.

As she massaged shampoo into her hair, she contemplated the work she was doing. The good she intended sometimes didn’t come to fruition, but she lived for those glimpses of goodness. The peek into the possibility she was making a difference was just the positive she needed, whether it was a smile on Lucas’s face or the utter regret over what they’d done showing on a parent’s face. She lived for those moments.

She dressed and poured coffee into her travel mug and took the drive to a house that she’d been dreading entering. Emery had a feeling, a bad feeling that began in her toes and curled around both of her legs and wrapped her arms, pinning them to her body and making her paralyzed.

Emery shook off the premonition as she walked up the front steps to what looked like what were called old factory homes. They’re really shotgun homes that were built near the factories near the Savannah River. A woman opened the door with a scowl on her face before Emery even knocked.

“Hi, I’m Emma Simpson from—”

“I know who the hell you are, lady,” Lucas’s mother interrupted. She turned and walked to the couch and slumped into it. “I know how all this works. You’re trying to take my kid from me…trying to make me seem unfit.”

That doesn’t seem like it’ll be too hard to do. “No, ma’am. I’m trying to get you services so that Lucas has what he needs from school and home.” Emery took in the dirty surroundings. There were empty fast food bags, cups, and containers scattered around the room. The smell of cigarette smoke permeated the house. Emery coughed into her sleeve.

“That’s bullshit.”

“Trina,” Emery started, recalling her name from Lucas’s file. The black roots showing through her bleach job were quite distracting. “Can I call you that?”

“It’s my name.” Trina lit a cigarette and pulled an empty Mountain Dew bottle out from in between the couch cushions.

“Listen, Trina. I promise I’m not the enemy.” She was still standing in the entrance of the room, too nervous to move farther into the house. “If things are fine here Lucas will be here. You deserve to be together as a family. We just have to check some things out and then get you guys what you need.”

Trina looked up from her cigarette. “You for real, little girl?”

Emery straightened up. “I am for real. I really like your son. He’s a good kid. I want to help. Let’s work together.”

“I’ve been through this shit before. I don’t know who you are, but I know you aren’t trying to work with me. You work with them. Now tell me what I have to do and get out of my house.”

Emery was taken aback. She’d dealt with many different scenarios at parents’ houses over the last few months, but she was hoping to get through this one on a good note. “Fine.” She threw the packet of paperwork on the table. “Fill this out and let me know you’re done. I’ll come back and ask the questions I need to ask.”

“Don’t let me stop you from leaving,” Trina responded sarcastically.

Emery shook her head as she opened the door and moved toward her car. She did understand the push back to her position, but she really didn’t want to have to take any kids away from their parents. Though she knew from personal experience that sometimes that’s the best thing for the kid.





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Hell is Not a Proper Synonym



Emery opened her eyes to the bright light of the sun shining through her blinds. It was supposed to be hot today. It was a Saturday and she was going to spend her birthday alone. The first one she’d ever spent alone. Rachel offered to come, but she had finals all week and needed to study.

Christmas, her birthday—they would all be spent alone, living like this. Solitary, without anyone except for Rachel, who was beginning to have her own life, and rightfully so. Emery didn’t know if she could remain untethered to anything. She felt as though she was floating—no friends, no one to just sit with and enjoy the quiet.

She pulled up her phone and saw she had a message for Romona Hicks.


To: Romona Hicks

From: Rachel Helms

You’ve come a long way since we first met. You are strong and brave and I am so glad we were arrested together. I hope you can do something special for yourself today. Sorry I couldn’t make it.