“Did he ever hurt you physically?” Sarah asked carefully as she applied product to Ebony’s hair.
“Sometimes…”
“I’m sorry,” Sarah said. When Camille didn’t say more, Sarah grasped for a change in subject, but Camille spoke before she could get a word out.
“But not like Tracey, where he left bruises I couldn’t cover up.” Camille worried her hands in her lap, her blond hair curtaining her face. “He’d force me against a wall, squeezing my ribs so hard they’d bruise, or grab my wrist and hold it up behind my back so far I thought my arm would pop out of its socket. But mostly he controlled me with threats of violence.” She lifted her face with shame in her eyes and said, “When he threatened to hurt David, my oldest, is when I finally got up the courage to leave.”
Sarah wiped her hands and then hugged Camille. “I’m so sorry you went through that. It’s crazy the power abusers have over us. But you got out, and your kids are safe. That’s a start in the right direction.”
“The power they had over us,” Camille said. “Never again.”
They all agreed.
While they talked about safer subjects, like where they were looking for jobs and what they did in their past lives—meaning before they fell into the hands of their abusers—Sarah dried and styled Ebony’s hair: she parted it, pulling a few locks of bangs straight, then sweeping them over her left eye, and using the diffuser to curl the rest.
“Wow, Ebony!” Camille’s blue eyes widened. “You look gorgeous.”
Ebony reached up and touched her hair. She was sitting on the couch. “Really? You sure I don’t look like a guy?”
“You couldn’t look like a guy if you tried,” Sarah said, and they all followed Ebony into the bathroom.
Ebony assessed herself in the mirror, leaning closer to get a better look, touching the straight bangs, then the curly sides, her eyes lighting up, and a smile followed. “Can you teach me to do this?”
“Absolutely. It’s not difficult.” Sarah retrieved the blow dryer and diffuser and showed her how to hold it to create curls and how to use the brush to straighten her bangs.
“I can’t get over this. I have great hair,” Ebony said with awe, making them all laugh.
“You have great everything,” Sarah said. “You have the cutest dimple in your chin, and your eyes really pop now that you’re not hiding behind your hair.”
Ebony blushed and continued admiring herself in the mirror, but the longer she looked, the less she smiled. “I started dating my ex-boyfriend when I was twenty, and I have always been overweight. As things got worse between us, he called me thunder thighs and fat face. I took it because…look at me.”
“Your ex was a shit,” Tracey said harshly. “He’s the reason you’re here, so there’s your silver lining. Now you’ve met us, and we won’t let you hook up with shitty men ever again.”
“You’re beautiful, Ebony,” Sarah said, her heart breaking. She remembered when Bones had said I see you, Sarah, and your beautiful children. Whatever it took for you to be right here, right now, whatever made this moment possible didn’t ruin you. He had made her feel whole and normal, and because it was Bones and he had a way of making her feel things she’d never thought possible, he’d also made her feel beautiful. She wanted that for these friends, so she said, “I see you, Ebony, and when people see you, when they see Camille and Tracey, they won’t see any of you through the eyes of an abuser. They’ll see the beautiful, kind women you are. What we went through didn’t ruin us.”
Ebony wiped damp eyes, and Sarah put her arms around her, and then Camille and Tracey joined in for a group hug.
“We’re done with assholes,” Camille said. “All of us.”
“I can’t breathe,” Ebony squeaked out, and they all took a step back. “Y’all are the best friends I’ve ever had, and I barely know you.”
Thinking of Bones and his family, Sarah said, “Sometimes it’s not the length of time you’ve known someone that matters. It’s what they see and appreciate in you that others never have.”
“Spoken like a woman with love in her eyes,” Sunny said from outside the bathroom, startling them. She was carrying Joshua, Camille’s youngest. “Bones called the front desk because you weren’t answering your phone. He said to tell you he’s not checking up on you and he knows you can handle picking up the kids, but he’s at his mother’s and he’ll bring them to your place if you want him to.”
Babs had canceled watching the kids at the last minute because of an appointment she’d forgotten about, but she’d asked Red to fill in for her. Red had been thrilled to care for, as she’d called them, her surrogate grandbabies. That had done inexplicable things to Sarah’s emotions. She’d never imagined her children having grandparents, and now they were loved by Chicki, Babs, and Red, and the way Biggs had danced with Lila at the wedding told her they had touched him, too.
Ebony arched a brow. “His name is Bones? Dr. Dreamy just got even more interesting.”
“Well, you know what they say,” Tracey chimed in. “The hardest thing in the body is bone.”
Sarah blushed, and Sunny said, “His biker name is Bones, not Boner.”
“I like how he said he knows Sarah can handle picking up the kids,” Camille said, taking Joshua from Sunny. As Sunny walked away, Camille said, “It’s like he understands women like us need every bit of empowerment we can get.”
“It’s not that.” Sarah told them about Bones asking his father to help her with the kids in the storm. “Like I haven’t spent the last year mastering the ability to carry two babies, an umbrella, and everything else under the sun?”
“I still think it’s amazing that he listened and understood,” Camille said. “That’s really important.” She kissed her little boy’s cheek. “I’m going to take him to the playroom.”
Sarah thought about Bones as she put away her hair supplies. He was a great listener, and he was patient and understanding. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve this type of happiness, but the closer they became, the more she thought it had less to do with deserving or earning and more to do with something less tangible. Their connection was so strong, so deep, she had begun to believe they might have eventually found each other under any circumstances.
She gathered her things to leave and said, “I’m leaving the hair products for you.”
“They should put you in the blessing bags,” Ebony said.
“Blessing bags?” Sarah asked.
“When you come to the shelter, they give you a blessing bag. It’s full of all the necessities—toiletries, socks, water, first aid kit, gloves, washcloths. All sorts of things,” Tracey explained.
“Well, I won’t fit in a blessing bag, but I can volunteer to do hair,” Sarah offered. She liked the idea of helping women see themselves differently from the way they had before coming to the shelter. A fresh start.
“Good idea. Will you come back next week? Not to do hair, but just to hang out with us?” Tracey asked.
“Yes. Our own girls’ club. I like it,” Sarah said. “Ebony, if you have any styling trouble, call me. I’ll try to walk you through it, but you should be fine.”
“I’m never going to wash my hair,” Ebony said as they walked Sarah out. “I’ll sleep sitting up like a statue.”
“You do that and your hair will look like a grease ball after a week,” Tracey teased. “Hey, that’s a good way to deflect men.”
Sarah spotted Camille on the couch in the playroom watching her boys and thought again about what Bones had asked her to do about Lewis. “I’ll be right back. I want to say goodbye to Camille.” She went into the playroom and sat beside Camille, placing her bag on the floor by her feet. “I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”
“I’m glad. I love what you did with Ebony’s hair.”
“Thanks. Me too.” There was no easy way to ask what she wanted to, so she just went for it. “I wanted to ask you something about your husband. You don’t have to answer
if it’s too personal.”
“You already know all my bad stuff,” Camille said.
“I know, but…I’m just wondering if you’re doing anything to keep him away from the boys. Legally, I mean.”
Camille’s eyes remained trained on her children. “I have a restraining order, but I want something more permanent. I don’t have the money for an attorney, but when I do, keeping him away from them forever will be my first priority. Why? Are you afraid your kids’ father is looking for you?”
“No.” She put her hand on her belly and said, “I’m just trying to decide if I should do something so he never has that option.”
“That depends on what you think is best for your kids. For me, that’s keeping him as far away from them as possible.”
Sarah thought about that as she picked up her bag. Was she being shortsighted by refusing to try to get Lewis to sign papers relinquishing his parental rights? Bones hadn’t mentioned anything about the cost of doing it. She needed to find out about that, but she still wasn’t ready to chance it backfiring.
She hugged Camille, promised to come by next week, and then she gave each of the boys a kiss on the top of the head. Ebony and Tracey flanked her in the hall, deep in conversation about Thanksgiving dinner, reminding Sarah she’d agreed to bring dessert to the Whiskeys’ Thanksgiving dinner.
Sunny buzzed someone in as she said, “See you next week, Sarah?”
Sarah looked up and lost her breath at the sight of her sister coming through the door, looking gaunt holding the hand of a lanky little boy with longish, thick brown hair.
“Josie” fell from Sarah’s lips.
Before Sarah knew what was happening, Josie dragged her little boy out the door and ran down the steps.
“Josie!” Sarah dropped her bag and ran after them. Her friends called after her, but she wasn’t about to stop. Not when her sister was blowing through the doors to the building and running across the lawn.
Sarah held her belly up from underneath as she chased them. “Wait! Josie! Please!”
Josie’s little boy looked over his shoulder, slowing her down. “Mommy, who is that?”
“Nobody. Keep going,” Josie snapped.
The little boy stumbled, and Josie stopped to help him, giving Sarah time to gain on her. Josie moved in front of the boy, forming a barrier between Sarah and her son. “Stop right there, Sarah.”
Sarah stopped a few feet away. “Why are you running from me?”
“Mommy!” The little boy peered around her legs with terror in his eyes.
“Stay there, Hail.” Josie set a warning glare on Sarah.
Sarah held her hand up, using the other to lean on her thigh for support as she tried to catch her breath. “I just want to talk. I don’t understand why you won’t see me.”
“I don’t understand why you won’t leave me alone.” Josie set her jaw, like she had as a little girl when she was mad.
Sarah tried to piece together the angry young woman before her with the best friend she’d grown up with. The girl who had never suffered at the hands of her parents the way Sarah and Scott had but had endured their wrath the way secondhand smoke caused cancer.
“Because I love you,” Sarah pleaded. “You’re my family. Scott and I can help you. We have a house in a safe neighborhood, near good schools, and—”
“Hail is the only family I need.” Her chin trembled, and Sarah took a step forward, needing to bridge the gap between them. Josie took a step backward, forcing her little boy to do the same. “I can’t do this. Not now. Go back to your perfect life and leave us alone.”
“Josie…?” Tears spilled from Sarah’s eyes as Josie took her son’s hand and walked away. “Wait!” Sarah pleaded. “Go back to the shelter. It’s safe there. I’ll get my stuff and then I’ll leave you alone.”
Josie stilled, her back to Sarah, and Sarah knew she was at least listening.
“Please go back, Josie. They’re good people. Your son will be safe there. I promise to stay away.” The pain that promise brought was excruciating.
Josie drew her shoulders back, and Sarah prayed she’d listen. But Josie didn’t walk toward the shelter. She stormed away in the opposite direction.
“Josie, please!” Sarah called after as she disappeared around the corner.
BONES CARRIED LILA up the porch steps as Bradley relayed stories about their afternoon with Red. “She said I can call her Nana Red. I like that.”
“I like that too, buddy.” A whole hell of a lot, he thought as he knocked on the door.
Scott answered with a troubled expression. “Hey, guys. Come on in.”
Bones looked over Scott’s shoulder at Sarah, who ducked into the kitchen, but not before he noticed her pink nose and watery eyes. His nerves went on high alert as he stepped inside. “What happened?”
“Ca!” Lila reached for Scott.
Focused on Sarah, Bones handed her over. Sarah had texted him an hour ago thanking him for offering to pick the kids up. He’d stuck around talking with his parents and had left their house later than he’d anticipated. He hoped that wasn’t why she was upset.
“She saw Josie,” Scott answered. “It didn’t go well.”
Christ. She never gets a break. Bones tousled Bradley’s hair and said, “Hey, B-boy, why don’t you play with Uncle Scott for a minute while I help Mom with dinner?”
“Okay.” He headed for the toys, and Bones went to Sarah.
She stood at the counter putting rotini pasta and bite-sized pieces of meatballs into bowls. Her hair curtained her face, but her sadness filled the room.
“Hey, darlin’.” He put his arm around her waist and said, “I heard you had a tough afternoon.”
“I’m okay,” she said in a strained voice.
He brushed her hair over her shoulder so he could see her face, aching at the grief gazing back at him. He embraced her. “Scott said you ran into Josie. I’m so sorry it didn’t go well.”
She nodded against his chest.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She shrugged.
“Why don’t you take a minute to relax. I’ll feed the kids, and then we can talk,” he offered.
She pushed away. “No. I can feed them. I need to. Life doesn’t stop because I’m sad.”
Bradley bounded into the kitchen. “Mommy, look what—” His giddy voice silenced, and he frowned. “Why are you sad?”
Scott appeared behind him with Lila in his arms and mouthed, Sorry.
Sarah forced a smile. “I’m not sad. I just had something in my eye. Come sit down and eat.”
Scott put Lila in her high chair as Bradley climbed into his chair.
“An eyelash like I had that time?” Bradley placed his toy pig beside his plate and said, “That’s ouchie.”
“Yes, an eyelash.” Sarah set a bowl in front of him.
Bones grabbed a bib from the drawer and put it on Lila as she babbled, “Bababa.”
“Who’s Josie?” Bradley asked.
Sarah looked like she’d been gutted. “She’s…”
“Josie and the Pussycats,” Scott said. “It’s a show your mom and I watched as kids.” He turned his attention to Sarah and said, “How about if you guys go for a walk while I hang out with my niece and nephew.” Making a game of it, he leaned closer to Bradley and said, “We can do secret stuff while Mom’s gone.”
“Secrets are bad,” Bradley said around a mouthful of pasta.
“Okay, well, then I’ll teach you how to make a train out of your pasta.”
Bradley nodded, eyes wide with glee.
“What do you say, darlin’?” Bones asked Sarah quietly, hoping like hell she’d take her brother up on his offer. “Are you up for a walk?”
She nodded.
Sarah bundled up against the brisk evening air, and Bones kept her tucked against his side as they walked silently to the end of the street.
“Josie was coming into the shelter as I was leaving,” she said as they turned the corner.
“She ran from me, Bones. She sprinted away with her son, like I was an enemy. I didn’t even know she had a child. But she does. A beautiful boy named Hail. Hail,” she said with a soft laugh. “When we were young we said if we ever had children we’d name them after nature. To us that signified strength and freedom. Hail, Rain… We had all sorts of ideas. Nothing can stop hail from pummeling or rain from falling.”
“Why did you go with Bradley and Lila?”
“Because I didn’t want any reminders of my past. I didn’t want them to need those names. I wanted them to have normal lives.” She remembered the moment she’d made that decision and the power that had come with it. “Why does she hate me and Scott so much? It kills me that she’s so angry, and she’s in trouble. She has to be. Why else would she have gone to the shelter?”
“I don’t know, but why don’t I call Sunny and see if she’s been there before? Now that she knows what Josie looks like, she might recognize her.”
“Would you? I promised her I wouldn’t go back to the shelter so she would have a safe place to go. I told Tracey and the girls, and they understood. They were so supportive. They promised to help Josie if she showed up. I can’t take the thought of Josie and her son on the streets…”
Tears tumbled down her cheeks, and Bones drew her into an embrace. “It’s going to be okay, Sarah. She just needs time.”
“She said I have a perfect life. She has no idea what I’ve been through.”
“Then we’ll tell her when the time is right.” She drew back, and he kissed away her tears. “When she’s ready to hear it.”
“What if she never is?”
“We won’t let that happen. She’s your family. We’ll do whatever it takes so she knows she’s not alone.”
“Can you call Sunny now? Please? I’ve been so worried. I just want to know she and her son are safe.”
Bones made the call and then relayed what he’d learned. “Sunny said they didn’t come back, but she’d call if they showed up. She also said she thinks Josie’s might have been there before, but she didn’t stay. She just came in to check it out and left.”
Wicked Whiskey Love Page 25