by Emily Camp
“This isn’t a fairytale, Garrett. We’re teenagers.”
His shoulders slumped, and he frowned. He held out his hands toward Bailey, who was crying again. Bree let her go, knowing he may be able to calm her easier than she could, even though, technically, he was the one who upset her.
Garrett placed Bailey on his shoulder, kissed her pink cheek, and talked to her quietly, running his hand over the beanie on her head. Bailey gasped a few times before her cries settled. He was a good dad, and it wouldn’t be fair to Bailey if he left her.
Bree grabbed the stroller and started for the house.
“Look, Bree, I won’t even consider it if you don’t want me to go.” Garrett fell into stride beside her. “But I … honestly was hoping you’d come with me.”
“Come with you? Are you delusional? I’ll still have another year of high school. Who would help us with Bailey? Where do you plan on Bailey and me living? In a dorm with you?”
“I don’t …”
Bree shook her head, looking up at the grey sky. How appropriate for her life right now. “You never think about anything.”
“And you overthink everything.”
Bree held a hand to her forehead and looked down at the cracked sidewalk. “I think I don’t want to be homeless, that’s what I think.”
“You won’t be. I won’t let you.”
“You can’t fix this.”
“I’m sorry, I just …”
Bree let out a long breath. Bailey squirmed on Garrett’s shoulder.
“Let’s get her inside,” At the bottom of the Light’s porch, Bree held out her hands, and Garrett handed Bailey over. Bree ascended the steps as Garrett folded the stroller behind her. The fact he was even considering leaving wasn’t going away, but at least she didn’t have to think about it when she stepped into the house, smelling fresh baked cookies and greeted with a smile and a hug as if nothing had changed between Garrett and her in his mother’s eyes.
“How you holding up, sweetie?” Robin asked, pushing Bree’s hair out of her face. Bailey reached for her grandma.
Robin took her, adjusting her on her hip.
“Dadada,” Bailey cooed.
“I’m all right.”
“Good, when Garrett told me you’d be over I made extra for dinner.”
As tempting as that was, Bree smiled politely and said, “I can’t, I have a lot of homework.”
The door slammed behind her and Garrett came in, carrying the folded stroller, setting it inside the closet.
Robin frowned. “Oh, okay, well at least let me fix you a plate to take home.”
“Thanks.” Bree couldn’t look at her as she spoke, feeling guilty about leaving, yet not feeling like she belonged at the same time.
Chapter Twenty-one
Bree used to love to read. The week had gone fast, but it might have been the fact that she skipped half of it. Parker had been on her about missing so much, even though there wasn’t anything he could do about it. When she was at school, she couldn’t focus. What was even the point?
Just a few short months ago, she loved Sundays. Of course, it was summer, so she didn’t have to worry about school the next day. But what she loved about Sundays was the togetherness. She’d ride to church with Nate and Lexi and go home with Garrett and eat Sunday dinner with his family. The way Garrett’s parents treated her like their own, made her feel like she belonged.
A loud belch came from the hallway and a few minutes later the sofa bounced when Spencer flopped on it.
From behind her book and reading glasses, she glanced at him. A cowlick stuck up on the back of his head, his wrinkly tee shirt stating, this is what awesome looks like and white and black plaid pajama pants. He propped his bright white socked feet on the coffee table, leaned for the remote balanced on the armrest, and eased back as he fired up the television.
The noise was loud and chaotic.
She looked down at her book, trying to ignore him.
She read a paragraph and didn’t comprehend any of it before he changed the channel and sighed.
“This sucks. There’s nothing on,” he grumbled, and she reread her paragraph. “What ya reading?” He turned to her, draping his elbow on the back of the couch, and folding his knee in between them.
She held her finger on the line she was trying to read. “Required reading.”
“Huh.” He turned back to the television. “I didn’t think anybody actually read required reading.”
She started the page over with the interruption, nothing stuck.
“I’m bored,” he said again.
She gave up, folding the paperback closed, and setting it beside her. “You don’t have any innocent, unsuspecting girl to play?”
“Nah, it gets old. No challenges. They’re all throwing themselves at me.”
Bree leaned her head back and let out a loud laugh. “Yes, how can anyone resist your charm, Spencer Harris?”
“I know. That’s what I’m saying.” He held his hands out.
He pointed the remote and changed from the History Channel to MTV, some reality show with two girls fighting. His eyebrows raised and head tilted.
Only a leg’s stretch away from her, she jabbed him with her foot.
His arms flailed like he was a little kid caught doing something wrong. “Is that what you and Maggie looked like?”
“Shut up.” She turned, placing her feet on the floor.
“Tell me about the cat fight you got into with your sister.” He laughed as he looked back at the television, remote cradled in his hand. The fight on the screen was broken up by a guy in baggie jeans, gold chains, tattoos, and a wife beater. Definitely not the type worth fighting over.
“Did you get a handful of those red curls?” Spencer swirled his finger around. “Any skin under your fingernails?”
“Whatever, I’m going to the bedroom.” Picking up her book, she started to her room.
“You deserve better than your baby daddy.”
She froze, pivoting around to make sure it really was him speaking. “And you’re better?” She wasn’t sure if that was what he was implying or not.
“Hey, I didn’t say me.” He held a hand to his chest, covering letters on his shirt. “I don’t do relationships. I’ll never make a promise I can’t keep.”
“But yet you use girls for sex?” Bree crossed her arms, the book in the crook of her elbow.
“Hey,” he held his hands up in surrender, “I’ve never told any of them that I was after more. If they’re surprised when I don’t call, that’s their own stupidity.”
“Wow, you’re even a bigger jerk …”
“Than who, baby-daddy?” Spencer dropped his folded hands in between his knees. “Didn’t he tell you he loved you and some other bull line about forever? Where is he now?” He held his hands up and smacked his lips together. “At least I’m not a liar.”
The doorbell chimed as she opened her mouth to reply.
She glared at him one last time before making her way to the door, her smart reply frozen in her mind.
She looked out the peep hole, not expecting him yet. He was supposed to bring Bailey home, but not until after church.
“Crap, it’s Garrett.” She ran to the bathroom. “Answer it for me.”
“What?” Spencer’s voice was high with his head tilted.
“I haven’t even brushed my teeth today. Just answer it. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She slammed the bathroom door behind her. She tossed off her ratty pajamas, thankful for her clothes still in the hamper. She threw on the jeans and sweater from yesterday, pulled her hair out of her bun, brushed it and twisted it back up. She slapped on makeup and lotion as quickly as possible.
The tension in the air when she walked out could be cut with a knife.
There, in her brother’s apartment, in her territory, standing beside Garrett, whose jaw was tense, arguing with Spencer, stood Paige.
The thought of Paige not only with Garrett, but with Bailey
as well, was a stab at her.
“What is she doing here?” Bree stared at Garrett, not wanting to even look at Paige.
Bailey squealed when she saw Bree. Garrett handed Bailey over.
“Are you both living here now?” Garrett ignored Bree as he glared toward Spencer.
“We’re staying here,” Bree said, though didn’t know why. She didn’t have to answer to him. “Why is Paige here?”
“I just want to get along. I don’t know why you hate me,” Paige said.
Bree clenched her jaw and held a wiggly Bailey closer to her.
“You’re being ridiculous,” Garrett said.
“We’re going to homecoming together, since you won’t go. Just as friends.” Paige smiled up at Garrett, her hand on the gold pendant hanging from her neck.
“Just as friends.” Garrett’s jaw jerked when she said this, and Bree’s heart fell to her stomach. Showing them it bothered her would be a mistake. Who was she to tell them they couldn’t go?
“I was going to ask your mom to watch Bailey for me.” She stood a little straighter. Bailey’s hands waved in the air as she jabbered at Spencer, who, to Bree’s surprise, brought his face close and talked to her.
“Why?” Garrett glaring at Spencer.
“Spencer’s taking me,” she said. Spencer’s eyes widened at Bree, at first, then the familiar smirk stretched across his face as.
“Guess you’ll have to ask her,” Garrett spoke slow as his gaze turned back to Bree.
“Gare, I need to get home, sorry,” Paige said, not even acknowledging Bailey or anyone else in the room now.
“Better hurry.” Bree glared at Paige.
“See, I told you I’m trying,” Paige pouted her glossy red lip out.
“Yeah, Garrett, she’s trying,” Bree scowled at him.
Garrett hesitated before leaving, but as soon as the door shut, she let all the air out of her lungs. Bailey continued to jabber as she smacked Bree in the face. Bree turned to Spencer, who was staring at her chest.
“What are you?”
“Nice nipples.” He chuckled.
She looked down, only now realizing she’d forgotten this sweater required an undershirt.
“Spencer, quit looking.” She hugged Bailey tighter to her, which only made Bailey giggle even more.
Spencer’s deep laugh was slow. He held his hands out, palms up. “What? I’m a guy.”
Chapter Twenty-two
“Dadada,” Bailey mashed the green baby food on her tray.
“I’m not dada.” Spencer’s soda hissed as he popped it open, striding around Bree, making Bailey smile.
Bree took the opportunity to slide the spoon of mashed beans in.
Bailey’s eyes widened and a little bit came back out with her tongue.
Spencer laughed and leaned against the bar, hitching his elbow on it. “You’re messy.”
Bailey giggled, squinting with her wide, green smile.
“Stop distracting her.” Bree nudged him with her elbow.
“Dadada.” She pulled her chubby hand to her mouth, gnawing on her fingers.
“I’m not dada.” He leaned down, his face close to hers. Bree should warn him, but she didn’t. “I’m Uncle Spencer. Say Uncle Spencer.”
Bailey lit up, reaching her slobbery-baby-food-caked hand, she grabbed Spencer’s nose. Spencer yanked back.
Bree and Bailey erupted in giggles.
“Hey now.” He wiped his nose clean with the back of his hand, setting the soda on the counter.
“Sorry, not sorry.” Bree shook her head, holding in even more laughter causing her eyes to water.
Spencer dipped his finger in Bailey’s green masterpiece on her tray and smeared it across Bree’s cheek.
“Hey!” Bree squealed, only making Bailey laugh harder.
“That’s right, it’s much funnier when it’s mommy,” Spencer nodded toward Bailey.
“Whatever.” Bree wiped her face with the cloth she’d been attempting to clean Bailey with, though there wasn’t any point until dinner was done.
The door swished opened and Parker’s keys chimed when he tossed them on the table. Bree looked up from Bailey.
Parker glared at Spencer. “You need to call dad.”
Just like that, Spencer’s smile was gone. He picked up his soda, “Need to do a lot of things.”
“Uncle Parker’s home.” Bree squealed, making Bailey giggle again. She wasn’t ready to watch another brother fight break out. They seemed to get along as well as her and Maggie did. Bree understood, though, why Parker hadn’t kicked him out yet. She probably wouldn’t do the same to Maggie, but Spencer had a decent place to go. It was only his being stubborn that kept him away from his dad.
“Bailey-Whaley.” Parker spoke in his high-pitched baby voice. He loosened his tie and shuffled through his stack of mail.
Spencer sighed, stretched his hands above his head, stood, and shuffled in the other room.
“Are you sure you want him to take you to the dance?”
Bree went back to spooning food in Bailey’s mouth. “It’s not like I like him or anything.”
“Not a good idea.” Parker dropped into the recliner.
Bailey jabbered and slammed her hands on the tray in front of her.
“You and Garrett have Bailey. Do you really want to end up like Mindy and your dad?”
Bree didn’t respond to that. Her heart hurt thinking that Parker would even think that about her. “He’s taking Paige.”
“Because you wouldn’t go with him.”
Bree glared up at him a spoonful in her hand. “What’s going on with Bryson and Maggie?”
Parker sighed, leaning back. His palms flat on the arm rests. “A complaint’s been filed. Don’t know how long before anything happens. My lawyer’s going to try to get me temporary custody if they’re removed from the situation.” He air quoted removed.
“I hope so. I still worry about them.”
He nodded and sat up; Bailey cooed toward him with her messy face. “You’re supposed to trust God, remember.”
Bree spooned more food in Bailey. “It’s easier said than done.”
Parker was quiet for a minute. He stared at Bailey who was delighted to have everyone’s attention on her. She smiled up at Bree, her little nose scrunching, and giggled.
A fast loud knock made Parker fly out of his seat. He swung the door open and there stood Maggie, in a tee shirt and jeans, her red curls matted to the tears on her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” Parker took hold of her shoulders, almost shaking her.
Maggie held her arms across her middle. “It’s Lloyd. I think … I think he killed her.”
“Where’s Bryson?” Bree shot up out of her seat.
“He’s … he’s in the car,” Maggie sniffed, shaking her head.
“Car? Who’s?” Parker craned to look around her.
“Mom’s I … I know I don’t have a driver’s license, but I had to get us out of there.”
“Did you call the police?” Bree lifted Bailey from her seat, wiping the beans away from her mouth and hands with a baby wipe and placing her on her hip.
“No,” Maggie’s curls covered her face as she shook her head.
“Parker!” Bryson barreled in his black cast swinging at his side.
“What’s going on?” Spencer was back with the commotion.
Bailey held her arms up to him. This surprised Bree. What surprised her even more was when Spencer lifted Bailey from Bree and sat her on his hip, Bailey jabbered and grabbed at his face.
Parker had his phone in his hand as Maggie explained the details.
There was a small, awful part of Bree that hoped Lloyd had done it this time, then they could all live normal, drama-free lives. But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, the guilt was there, also. She knew it was wrong to think that about her parent.
***
The hospital was cold and uncomfortable. It would have been torture if it was just her and Parker
here, but the entire crew came.
Bailey was wiggling all over her lap, reaching for the magazines fanned out on the table beside her. Bryson bounced, flinging his cast through the air. The cartoon loud and busy, giving Bree a headache. Maggie sat curled up in her own chair, face pointed toward her phone, like always. Parker was back in the room talking to nurses or doctors or police.
It was the smell of cologne that told her Spencer was standing above her. “Hey, let me borrow Bailey.” He nudged her with his toes.
Bree’s eyes barely came into focus in her dazed, tired state when she looked up at him. “What?”
“You want to come to Uncle Spencer, don’t you, Bails?” He held his hands out, and Bailey practically lunged at him, gabbing her baby language as he lifted her from Bree. Though she couldn’t argue that it was a welcome relief, what was he up to anyway?
“What are you doing?” Bree sat up, glancing behind her to make sure Bryson was still in his seat.
“We’ll be right back.” Spencer glided across the room, Bailey on his hip, stopping at the girls sitting along the window wall.
Bree sighed. Why didn’t that surprise her any? The girls lifted smiling faces up to Bailey and Spencer and separated, making room for him in between them. They looked like they’d hadn’t been here as long as Bree, though maybe it was just the distance; they seemed to have their hair combed and makeup on, something that was foreign to Bree these days.
Bailey smiled and cooed at the attention she was getting, and it seemed Spencer was enjoying using her baby to pick up chicks. His smile a toothpaste ad smile. Each girl turned toward him.
“I came as soon as I could.” Garrett’s voice gained Bree’s attention. “Are you okay?” His hair was damp under his football hoodie.
“Yeah, I wasn’t … I wasn’t there.” Bree looked behind him, though she didn’t know who she was looking for.
“Where’s Bailey?” His lips sat in a flat line, and his brow was low.
“Garrett!” Bryson shouted over Bree as she began to speak. He jumped off his seat like it was a trampoline.