by Lea Coll
“Why would you move?” I asked.
She waved my question off. “I just need a change. I might apply for that job in Maryland but only if you’re not interested. It’s something I think I would enjoy.”
“What job?” Gabe asked.
I turned to find Gabe holding open the bar’s door, relaxed and happy to see me. I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Hey. Gabe this is my co-worker and friend, Hadley. Hadley—Gabe.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Gabe,” Hadley said.
“There’s a new DOJ job and it sounds amazing, but it’s in Maryland.” I shrugged.
“In Maryland?” he asked.
The muscles in his back tensed under my fingertips.
“I’m thinking of applying but I don’t want to if Taylor’s interested,” Hadley said.
I glared at Hadley over my shoulder, my arms still around Gabe. What was she doing?
“I moved here to get away from my life in Maryland. To explore new things. I’m happy here.” Despite my words, Gabe’s arms dropped from around me, his body was stiff, and his face closed off. I wanted to pull him aside and assure him everything was fine. I wasn’t planning to leave, but I hadn’t made a decision.
“We both dislike our jobs,” Hadley reminded me.
“Just the department we work in.” This was the first time Hadley had really annoyed me. I was regretting bringing her here to meet Gabe.
“What are you doing here?” Gabe asked as he took a step back from me.
“We’re working on the block party.” I smiled to break the tension. “All of the business owners are on board.”
“I’m glad you stopped by.” His words were polite but there were fine lines around his mouth indicating he was annoyed—either with me being here or at the thought of me moving.
I made a move into the bar to follow Gabe, but Hadley placed a hand on my arm to stop me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for him to hear. It’s true. I wouldn’t take that job if you wanted it.”
“Let me think about it, but my initial reaction is that you should go for it. I’ll miss you, but if you feel like you need to leave New Orleans, then do it.”
“Thanks.”
“But if you want to talk about why you feel like you need to leave, I’m here.”
“I will. Thanks,” Hadley smiled, and we stepped inside so I could introduce her to Isaac and update him about the party.
I walked to the end of the bar and tried to catch Gabe’s eye, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Can we talk in your office?”
“Let me finish these drink orders first.”
I waited for him to be done before I followed him down the hall and into the office. Once we were behind closed doors, I said, “I don’t want you to worry. I don’t want to move. Neither of us are happy working child sex abuse cases—it gets to you. But I just took this position and I want more experience before I’d consider transferring to another position. I’m not planning on moving home.”
“I guess I didn’t know much about your job.” He dropped his arms and his stance relaxed slightly.
I never talked about my job because I didn’t want to. I loved being an attorney but not my actual cases. “She thought this new job would be ideal for me and it does sound like something I’d be interested in. The DOJ created new prosecutor positions in cities where they’re behind on testing rape kits to speed up prosecutions. I’d work closely with victims and get them justice. So far, the only opening is in Maryland. I’m not ready to go back there when I just moved here.” I studied his face but it gave nothing away. “I’ll ask my boss tomorrow if New Orleans will get the same grant and tell him I’m interested.”
“But you do want to go back to Maryland eventually?”
I had to be honest with him. “That’s the plan. My family’s there. But I came here to do something on my own and I just got here. Like I said, I’m happy here. I don’t want to go back.”
A slow smile spread over his face. “You are?”
“Are what?” I teased knowing exactly what he was referring to.
“Happy here? I know you said it before, but we weren’t alone.” His hands went to my hips, pulling me in closer to his body so that I could smell his scent, and feel the warmth of his body as I rested my hands on his biceps.
I smiled, reveling in the feel of being in his arms. “Yes, of course.”
“And why are you happy?”
I looked over his shoulder pretending to think about it. “Well, I love the city.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed on me. “Just the city?”
“Be patient. I’m just getting started. I met this awesome kid named Zach and I have a new friend, Hadley.”
“Anything else?”
“I met this hot bartender. I don’t know where it’s going but I sure like where we’re at.”
He cocked a brow. “Oh, yeah? Anyone I know?”
“You might. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, but pretty grumpy.”
He tickled my sides. “Grumpy, huh?”
I jerked away from him. “No, stop! I hate being tickled.”
“You should have thought of that before you called me grumpy.”
But he’d stopped tickling me so I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You should stop being so grumpy. Retire the chip.”
“I thought I had.”
“Most of the time, but every once in a while it shows up again.”
“I only ask that you’re honest with me. If you want to go back to Maryland, tell me.” His voice was soft and he looked down at me with such affection in his eyes it made it difficult to draw in a breath.
“Sounds like a plan.”
The thought of not being with him and moving halfway across the country for a job made me feel ill. I changed the subject to the other issue on my mind. “Has Zach said anything to you about his mom? I asked him when I was with him but he’s not talking.”
Gabe’s shoulders dropped. “I don’t know what to do. He’s not saying anything to me but I’m positive his mom is still pressuring him.”
My stomach dropped. “I think we need to sit down and talk to her—whether it’s all three of us or just you if you want.”
“I agree but we should talk to her together.”
I ignored the thrill that shot through me because I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. The fact that he wanted me there to support him was such a change for him. “Do you have any idea when she’s even home?”
“She’s sleeping when he leaves for school so maybe we can stop after Zach’s in school and see if she’s there?”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“His birthday is next Thursday, so we don’t have a lot of time. Do you have time tomorrow morning to talk to her?”
“I’ll make time. This is important.”
He stroked a hand down the side of my face. “You’re unreal, you know that?”
My skin heated at his touch and I leaned in closer. “Maybe it’s time to accept that I’m here to stay and I want to be here for you. Whether it’s to help you with Zach, your job, or whatever you need. Can you do that?” I looked into his gray eyes which twinkled.
“I think so.”
“Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.” I went up on tiptoes to kiss him. It was a sweet kiss sealing my words—showing him what he meant to me.
Chapter Twenty-Three
GABE
The next day I waited until Zach was at school and Taylor met me at my apartment before we knocked on Zach’s mom’s door. As we waited for any noise inside the apartment to indicate she was home, it struck me that I didn’t even know her name or much about her. I assumed she worked in the evenings, but I didn’t know for sure. She could be involved in something illegal. I should have confronted her earlier.
“Do you think she’s home?” Taylor whispered.
“I don’t know.” But I needed to speak with her. I banged harder on the door. “Maybe she’s hungover and can’t hear.”
Taylor’s lips purse
d and I knew she didn’t like that idea.
I wanted to prepare her for what we would encounter. “I know you want to think she’s a good person and she’s just working hard but the reality is she doesn’t make sure her son has food to eat.”
We didn’t hear any noise inside the apartment until the door was suddenly pulled open. Taylor took a step back in surprise.
“What do you want?” A woman in a tank top with no bra and tiny sleep shorts on stood at the door with her hair a mess, like we’d woken her.
“I need to talk to you about Zach,” I said.
“Is he causing you trouble?” she looked from me to Taylor and back to me.
I knew she’d cataloged Taylor’s suit and wondered if we were family services. That her first thought was Zach causing trouble angered me. It was just like my mother. Quick to assume their child was the problem and not them, their parenting, or lack thereof. “No, can we come in?”
“You’re not family services, are you?”
“No, I’m your neighbor, Gabe Adler.” I held out my hand to shake but she ignored it. “And this is my girlfriend, Taylor.”
“Come in.” She stepped back and I followed Taylor inside.
It was surprisingly clean. Sparse but tidy. There were no family photos or knickknacks, just a threadbare couch, a TV, a small kitchen and a hallway which led presumably to the bedrooms and bathroom. Similar to my apartment but flipped.
“Have a seat,” she said.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” I knew she hadn’t given it, but I was trying to be polite when I really wanted to demand what the hell she was doing with her time that she couldn’t be bothered to care for her child.
“Lizzie Flanagan.”
“Lizzie, the reason we’re here is that we care about your son—” Taylor said.
“What do you know about my son?” Lizzie interrupted, leaning forward, nostrils flaring, and her eyes cold.
Her sudden burst of anger didn’t surprise me. My mom never wanted anyone in our business either. “I noticed him hanging around and we started talking. I eventually figured out he was alone most nights and he was hungry. I invited him in and cooked him dinner. I helped him with his homework.”
“Are you touching him? Are you some fucked-up sicko?”
I leaned back on the couch away from her accusation, too stunned to speak. It hadn’t entered my mind that helping Zach could be interrupted as grooming him like a predator would.
“No, Lizzie, why—” Taylor seemed frantic to calm her down.
I appreciated Taylor trying to defend me, but I wanted to do it myself. “No. That’s not it at all.” But is that what an outsider would think? That I had some sick fascination with her son? That I was abusing him? It was my childhood all over again. Just when I thought I was better, someone always knocked me down—thought the worst of me.
“I’m trying to help your son.” I tried to keep my voice even. “I’m worried about him. I’d like to see him finish school.”
“That’s not going to happen. I need him around here. He needs to start working and paying the bills. He doesn’t need school.”
“He does. Why don’t you want the best for your son?” Was I going about this the wrong way? This was churning up memories of my childhood, my mother, and I wasn’t handling it well. I felt shaky and a little sick. I needed to get it together so I could help Zach.
“What do you know about us? You don’t know anything,” Lizzie said.
Taylor shifted on the couch and in a calm voice said, “I’m sorry. I think we got off on the wrong foot. We all want the same thing. We all want what’s best for Zach. And what’s best for Zach is to make sure you’re okay. That you have what you need. Do you have everything you need, Lizzie?”
Lizzie’s expression softened. “I work my ass off to pay for this apartment. I’m trying my best.”
“What can we do to help? Do you need assistance in applying for government programs? There might be things out there you don’t know about and haven’t taken advantage of. I can help you,” she said.
Taylor was doing a better job connecting with Lizzie than I was. She wasn’t affected by this situation personally. She was coming at Lizzie from a place of professionalism.
“I don’t know what’s out there, honestly. I tried once but couldn’t fill out the papers.” Lizzie looked down at her lap and was quiet for so long, I didn’t think she’d respond. Finally, she said softly, “I can’t read.”
I felt badly for her. It was harder when there was something holding you back, whether it was lack of a degree, not being able to read, or a criminal record.
I felt the air whooshing out of Taylor’s body as she relaxed. “Okay, I can help with that. Whatever you need.” Taylor smiled reassuringly and patted Lizzie’s hand. “Sometimes all we need is to know when it’s time to ask for help.”
Lizzie nodded.
“You know how difficult it is to get a job and to try and get through life not being able to read. That’s why it’s so important that Zach finish school. That he earn his degree so he can get a good job,” Taylor said.
Lizzie’s eyes shot from me to Taylor. “You want him to go to college? I don’t want you putting ridiculous ideas in his head—”
“It doesn’t have to be college. He can do anything he wants—if that’s continuing school, getting a job as a mechanic, whatever he wants,” Taylor said. “And Gabe here doesn’t want Zach to get into trouble with guys on the street. That’s why he’s so upset.”
“So, he is getting into trouble?” Lizzie asked.
I couldn’t tell if she was concerned or resigned. Should I tell her that he’d been having issues with some guys in the neighborhood? I didn’t want to incense her, but she should know. “He was starting to run some jobs for some guys, but he came to me and I talked to him. I got him a job after school to keep him out of trouble.”
She listened, her lips drawn tight, but didn’t respond.
If I’d expected a thank you for keeping her boy out of trouble, I wasn’t getting it.
“If I help you get some assistance will you support him staying in school?” Taylor asked.
“We’ll talk about it if I get assistance. I know how much they offer. It won’t be enough.”
“May I ask where you’re working now?” Taylor asked.
Lizzie seemed more comfortable talking to Taylor, so I remained silent as she asked questions.
“I work at a bar, waitressing.”
That explained why she got home so late. Bars stayed open twenty-fours here.
“The tips are usually pretty good,” Lizzie added.
“Okay. I’ll get you some paperwork and bring it by in a few days,” Taylor said getting up. “We wanted you to know that we’re here for you, Zach, whatever you need.”
I followed suit and stood. Initially, I was worried Lizzie was so angry and defensive, but she’d calmed when Taylor offered help. Hopefully, Taylor could give her some more options so she felt like she had choices. That she didn’t need Zach to quit school and go to work.
Lizzie nodded but again didn’t let us know what she was thinking, and I couldn’t read her. I thought she was annoyed we were there and she didn’t want us involved, but she’d agreed to meet with Taylor again. We’d have to see if she cooperated with that. If not, I guess I’d have my answer and we’d have to come up with another angle to help Zach.
“It was nice meeting you, Lizzie. Here’s my card if you need me for anything.”
Lizzie accepted the card and I nodded at her. I didn’t offer my hand again. I knew she wouldn’t take it.
We walked across the hall to my apartment and shut the door.
“What did you think?”
Taylor sat on the couch and sighed. “I don’t know what to think. She seemed willing to let me help her fill out paperwork to obtain assistance, but she could have been going along until we left.”
“And has no intention of talking to us again.” I moved across the
room to sit next to her on the couch.
“Exactly.”
“So, we’re not any closer to solving this than we were before.”
“We have more information. We know she works as a waitress. She’s illiterate and that she claims to be working to put food on the table.”
“Food Zach never sees.” Taylor was right but I was angry and frustrated with Lizzie that Zach was the one suffering.
“She appears to be sincere—distrustful but sincere.”
“If you say so.”
“I know what you’re thinking. That I lived this charmed life and don’t understand Lizzie or Zach or where they’re coming from. But I’ve fought for Caleb all of my life. I defended him when he was bullied by other children at school or misunderstood by other parents at parties. I saw my mom fight for every service he got—services that you would think he’d be entitled to, but when he was young no one understood autism. I know what it’s like to fight for something.”
I cupped her head in my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that you couldn’t understand Lizzie’s life.” I smiled, tugging on her hair. “I can see you with pigtails defending your brother.” She was tough. She fought for what she believed in. She stood up for the people she loved. I just hoped she’d always stand up for me and be on my side. “Thank you for being there today. You handled her better than I could.”
“Did she remind you of your mother?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t stop thinking about how my mother would have reacted. What she would have done or said. It was tough to read her answers or body language.”
“I’m glad I could be there. Thanks for insisting on it.”
I chuckled. “It wouldn’t have gone well if you weren’t there. I don’t think she would have talked to me or told me she was illiterate. I got the impression she doesn’t tell many people that.”
“I have a way with people, apparently. The prickly ones always like me.”
I pinched her side playfully. “Hey, I’m not prickly.”
“No, you’re just grumpy.” She tilted her head back to look at me, a playful smile on her face, and I couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth.