Lola looked at her mother’s hand, wanted to spit on it. Her jaw clenched as she looked her mom over. “You took the money out yesterday, before he lost his job. You’re pathetic. Both of you.”
Lana’s eyes dropped to the blanket, her face full of shame.
Bob fell out of the bed in his haste to get out of it. He swore, untangled the sheet from his legs, and headed for Lola. “You worthless kid. You think you can talk to us like that?”
Lola trembled, but straightened her back and looked him in the eye. It was like staring at pure evil
“You’ve been nothing but trouble since I married your mother,” he ranted, getting close enough to Lola she could smell his stench.
His hands stretched out and grabbed her arms. His fingers dug into her flesh and Lola winced. “You good for nothing little shit. Mouthing off like that. Nothing but trouble. You’re nothing but trouble, you hear me?” Lola’s teeth slammed together as she was shaken like a rag doll.
“Bob. Please,” Lana called from the bed.
Lola stared at him, loathing oozing from her very being. Do your worst.
“She needs to be taught a lesson,” he said, glaring at Lola.
“Like how you’re going to teach me how to be a whore?” she shot back, unable to stop the words in time.
Bob’s eyes widened. “You little bitch,” he said under his breath.
“Bob? What is she talking about?”
His hands left her arms and immediately went to her throat. Lola pulled at his hands, but they wouldn’t budge. He squeezed and Lola fought to breathe.
“You’re lucky I don’t kill you,” he whispered.
Do it. Lola closed her eyes, willing him to do so and end her misery.
“Bob!” Lana said in alarm. Lola watched over Bob’s shoulder as her mom finally got out of the bed and rushed over to them. “Let her go. Please.”
Lola couldn’t move, could barely breathe.
The pressure disappeared as Bob released her. Lola sucked in a staggering breath of air, hands on her neck.
“Get your ass out of here before I change my mind,” he said for her ears only.
Lola stared at him, imagining all kinds of horrific ends to his life.
His fist punched the wall above her head and she flinched. “Now!” he roared.
“I hate you. I hate you both,” Lola said evenly, though she was quaking on the inside.
Bob backhanded her across the face. Lana cried out. Lola glared at him, a hand to her stinging cheek. She didn’t say anything more, but she thought things. Oh, the things she thought.
7
Lola went to the window and opened it from the outside. She climbed inside, shut the window, and went to the mirror. Her hair was wild, her eyes too. Lola didn’t recognize the girl staring back at her. She looked crazy, out of control. There was an unnatural light in her eyes, a set to her jaw not normally there.
A glance at the clock told her it was second period at school. Lola maneuvered the dresser back to its spot along the wall. She put all her anger and hurt into it, pictured it was Bob, and shoved with all her might.
“What the hell is all the racket?” he shouted through the door, banging on it.
Lola fisted her hand, strode to the door, and slammed her hand against the door once. There was a moment of silence and then she heard his retreat.
Her breath left her in fast, shallow bursts. Bob was going to be abusive to her whether she behaved or not; whether she did something right or wrong. Lola’s head lifted and her back straightened. There was no point in being scared; the abuse would happen regardless.
All she had left was the ability to fight back.
The fear melted away. Lola felt lighter, freer.
She put on makeup for the first time in close to a year. The shadow of a bruise was taking place of the one above her eye, only this time on her cheek. Her neck was unmarred, at least for now.
Lola fixed her hair and grabbed her backpack.
She walked down the hallway of the school like a new person. She didn’t clutch her books to her chest and avoid eye contact. She looked straight ahead and strode with purpose.
The bell sounded, signaling the end of second period. The gym door opened and there was Sebastian, hair damp from a recent shower. He smelled good. He had on a black buttoned-down shirt and dark blue jeans with black boots.
He paused when he saw her. Roxanne wasn’t far behind him, arm wrapped around one of his, clinging to him. She had on a tight red shirt and jeggings, brown boots up to her knees.
Lola’s newfound confidence fledged. She swallowed.
“What. The—“ Roxanne began, but cut off when Sebastian gave her a look.
Kids bustled around them, propelling the trio into the hallway more. Lola stood there a moment, not sure what she should do.