“Well, of course. Look at him!” She pointed her long, fake fingernail in Bic’s direction.
“You know what I know for sure? A few contractors have filed a few complaints regarding some dicey contracts Bic wrote up recently. Still doing the same old, same old, huh, Bic? Now don’t let that dissuade you from filing. I’m just gonna warn you that if we get Bic down to the station, it might be a long night. Just covering all our bases. Two birds and one stone, if you know what I mean.” Sam had a smile on his face, but no one could miss the threat in his words. Well, except for Dreama.
“Fine. We’ll deal with all of that, no problem. Come on, Biccy. Do you need to visit the Urgent Care first? Get some documents on these injuries?” She baby walked over to him, small steps to exaggerate her hips.
“I’m good. Actually, feeling better already.” Bic pulled one of the tampons out of his nose and it started bleeding freely.
Dreama screamed and grabbed the tampon from him, jabbing it back up his nose.
“That’s kind of what I thought might be the case. No worries. You heal up, Bic.” Sam leaned forward and went to close the door to the apartment.
I held up my hand. “Can I grab a few things? I’m staying somewhere else now.”
Sam nodded once and then folded his arms. “Take your time.”
I pulled Gaze into the apartment with me and we went to my room.
“Um? Did you pay off that cop or something?” He peeked out of my window.
“Nah. That’s Sam. He’s kind of watched over me as best he could since your dad was arrested.” I pulled out two duffle bags and pointed to my clothes in the closet. “Can you start getting that stuff for me? I have a feeling Bic will never let me back in if there is no cop here.”
I went to grab a few trash bags from the kitchen.
Dreama’s shrill voice was persistent. “This is ridiculous. That kid could have killed you. Probably would’ve if I wasn’t here helping you. I don’t understand what’s going on.”
Bic started harping, “She can’t leave. We need her here. She helps with the house.” His voice rose higher and higher.
I slipped into the kitchen, ignoring Bic’s arguments. After peeling off three bags I padded back into my room. Gaze was zipping up my duffle bag.
“How’s it going out there?” He lifted an eyebrow and indicated with his chin.
“She’s trying to get him to press charges still, but he won’t. He’s shifty and shitty and Sam knows it.” I went to my dresser—the one that only had two working drawers—and filled up everything.
Gaze went to my bed and put my stuffed animals in one trash bag and my school stuff in another. In the last duffle bag I put all the pictures I had of my mom and me together. This was how I would say goodbye to her. Packing with my newly reunited best friend in under ten minutes. On my way out, I grabbed my pillow. Gaze took some pictures down from the walls of my mom and me. I was grateful. They’d been there so long I’d forgotten they were removable. I snatched some pairs of shoes and that was it.
Dreama was stomping her foot and sucking her teeth. I wasn’t sure what she’d get out of charges being filed against Gaze, but she always seemed to have an angle. Usually, it was more transparent.
Sam stepped aside to let Gaze and me out. He even grabbed a bag to help us carry the stuff downstairs. Bic and Dreama did not follow us.
“Okay, you’re moving out now? Where are you going again?” Sam was great at asking questions. While I was alone, he tried often to get me to tell him about my living situation. Shame kept me quiet. Threats from Bic made me mute. And I was scared. I was scared of people knowing, scared that telling would bring a whole host of public issues that I was fearful of. Part of me felt I deserved it. Part of me believed that the last time would be the last time. Sam told me more than once he didn’t like Bic. That he had a smarmy aura.
Gaze spoke up, “She’s gonna live with me. And she’s never gonna have to deal with Bic’s bitch ass again.”
Sam looked from Gaze to me and back again.
He sighed. “I appreciate that, but Bruce just got out of prison for beating you almost to death, so I have concerns.”
Gaze made two fists and puffed up his chest. “My old man can’t touch her or me. Not without pain. And he’s a pussy.”
“I don’t disagree with you there. And I’d lump Bic in the pussy pile, too. But I’m going to have to come to terms with it being okay for two seventeen year olds to move in together. I mean, from a legal perspective, Bic is the better choice.”
I actually gasped out loud. Both Gaze and Sam looked at me.
“Wait. I have an idea. You just need an adult, right? To watch out for us?” Gaze pulled his phone out of his pants.
“Listen, bud, you know I have some complications with your foster dad. He seems awesome, but we have to follow the rule books.” Sam rocked back on his heels.
I hadn’t spoken to Sam in over six months. And then tonight it seemed he knew everything about me. Maybe he had been paying closer attention to me than I thought.
“Not Mike, but his son, Austin. He’s twenty-one and a great guy. What if he stayed with us?” Gaze talked and texted at the same time. “Just for a few months until Pixie and I are eighteen.”
“That seems a little dubious.” Sam scratched his chin.
Gaze tilted his head to the side. “You know what’s dubious? Me getting yanked out of a loving home from this amazing family that wanted to adopt me. But my fucked-up father wants to have a pissing contest for the ten minutes he’s sober and all you are acting like that’s the better choice for me.”
I covered my mouth with my hand. Adopted? Loving family? I felt hurt for Gaze and jealous. The way he spoke about them was deep. He had found a home.
“I’m so sorry,” I offered.
“No. I didn’t see it before, but I know it now. I’m supposed to be here for you, Pixie. I don’t need to be adopted. All I need is you and for you to be safe from that fucking animal.” He jabbed a finger in the direction of my apartment.
There was a tense silence while all that was known but unsaid floated at the surface.
Pain. So much pain. I closed my eyes, wishing it away.
I felt a gentle tap on the shoulder. Sam’s eyes were full of moisture. “What do you want, Pixie?”
“I want to stay with him.” I pointed at Gaze. “He’s been gone so long, but being here with him is right.”
“Then I will move heaven and earth to make it happen.” He turned to Gaze. “Call Austin. See if he is willing to move in…”
Gaze held up his illuminated phone. “He’s already on his way.” Then Gaze held out his hand for me. I took it and melted into his side. My Gaze.
“How many rooms does that place have?” Sam looked at the apartment that was parallel to mine.
“Two bedrooms. Two bathrooms.” Gaze winced a little and I felt his muscles twitch. That would be four people in one small space.
“How’s that gonna work?” Sam looked at his watch.
“Pixie gets a bedroom. Austin and I share.” He shrugged like it was obvious.
“And Bruce?” Sam squinted at us.
“Bruce can live in a dumpster for all I care. He hasn’t paid a bill in years. I mean, if I have to have him with us, there’s a couch. But if he’s drinking, he’s not allowed, and I will physically enforce that rule.” Gaze cracked the knuckles in his left hand on his thigh as if he would have to throw another punch soon.