Sizzle

by Holly S. Roberts

  The doctor steps over. “Hi, Kiley, you may call me Carlo. My job is to make sure you don’t have any owies. If you do, then I’m the one who makes them better. Did you choose a name for your doll? She sure is pretty.”

  He talks to her the entire time. Kiley remains quiet and observant. She moves when he asks and never sheds a tear. He listens to the doll’s chest and then to hers. Dr. Santos obviously knows children, because I never would have thought of this. First he examines something on the doll and then her. He explains it all in terms a three year old should understand. I have no idea if she does because her expression never changes. He moves with slow, gentle precision and does nothing to startle her.

  I’m so relieved when he’s finished and wraps the blanket around her. He turns to me. “I’ll write two prescriptions. She’s dehydrated and the small blisters on her wrists are scabies. I also think she has a urinary tract infection, but I won’t know for sure without a urine sample. There is redness in her groin area, but I believe that is caused by the infection and not abusive contact. I saw no signs of vaginal tearing.” His words make me exhale in relief. I listen attentively as he continues. “I will leave what you need for a urine sample and you can try to get it. I’d rather not have you bring her into the office to catheterize her if at all possible. Get as much water as possible down her. I doubt she’s had immunizations, but again I would rather see her settled first. She needs stability right now and she needs someone to trust. It’s the most important thing you can give her. I will leave my card so you may call my personal cell number if you have further concerns.”

  “Thank you.” I feel like crying again, but I don’t want Kiley to see me break down. “I’ll put her in a bath.”

  “The blanket she’s using will need to be washed as well as the doll due to the scabies. It’s contagious, but more so for other children. I’ll leave detailed instructions with Señor Gomez.”

  I nod and head back to the bed to pick up Kiley and take her to Alex’s bathroom with the monster bathtub. When I exit the room, Gabriella is standing outside the door with several small clothing items over her arm. I can hear the men talking in the other room.

  “I have brought these for la niña. Please allow me to help with your needs.” Gabriella’s expression holds only concern.

  “I’m sure she’s hungry and the doctor said she’s dehydrated. We can feed her when she’s out of the bath. If you could bring a cup of juice or water that would be wonderful.”

  “Si, Señorita. I will place these in Señor Gomez’s bathroom if that is acceptable.”

  “Thank you, I don’t believe Alex will mind if I bathe her in there.”

  “No, Señorita, he will not mind.”

  She smiles and leans into Kiley and pushes a wisp of red hair off her face. She says an entire sentence in Spanish. Kiley watches her openly and her eyes follow as Gabriella leads us into Alex’s room.

  “I will return shortly and I have promised her a cookie while she bathes. I do not think a cookie will cause a problem, do you, Señorita?”

  “No, Gabriella, I do not. And please, call me Celina.”

  She leaves without acknowledging my first name. I know we’ve made strides, or at least Kiley has. I sit on the edge of the tub, turn on the water, and adjust the temperature with Kiley in my lap.

  “I will only put a small amount of water in and we will wash you up first. Then I will run new bathwater and you can play if you’d like.” Of course she says nothing and I realize that playing is something she’s most likely seen little of. When I’m ready to place her in the bath, I stand her up and remove the blanket. My anger stays jacked when I see her tiny frame again with prominent ribs and the bruises on her shoulder. For her sake, I keep my voice gentle. “I’ll put your doll up here on the cabinet while you bathe, okay?” I try to take the doll from her arms, but she holds on tightly. “You know what? Carlo said your baby needs a bath too. She can get in with you, but we’ll need to dry her when we’re done.” I lift Kiley and place her feet in the bath. With a fresh washcloth, I wash her from the neck down. The water turns gray as I do it. I gently clean the areas at her wrists because the blisters look irritated. She stands clutching the doll the entire time. I make a show of giving the baby doll a bath too. The thing is wringing wet within a short time. Gabriella enters a few minutes later with a tray. She includes an additional plastic cup for me to use to pour water over Kiley to remove the soap.

  “I have children’s shampoo here too. Señora Moon and I made a list while you retrieved la niña.” She looks at Kiley. “I have two cookies for you. One sugar and one peanut butter. You pick the one you like or both after the soap is rinsed off.”

  Gabriella leaves and I turn to Kiley. “She likes you and now you have two cookies.” Kiley’s eyes travel to the tray on the counter. “Let’s get the soap off and you may have one cookie before we wash your hair.” Her cheeks are still smudged with dirt and her eyes look so incredibly large on her face. I grab the other cup first and tip it to her tiny pixy mouth. “Drink a bit of this.” She doesn’t lift her hand or help me, but she drinks until I pull the cup away. It’s a quarter gone. I wipe off her face with a cloth and quickly use the other cup to rinse her. When I’m done, I dry my hands and hers with a towel before handing over the large sugar cookie. She squeezes her doll beneath her right arm and takes the cookie. “Go ahead, you can eat it,” I tell her when she hesitates. She doesn’t nibble the cookie to see if she likes it, she inhales the thing.

  There is a fire in hell for the people who starved and abused my niece. I hope Dax kills each one of them so they begin their suffering sooner rather than later. I tackle her hair when the cookie is gone and slowly allow the discolored water to drain. I have her sit down in the clean water with the doll. A song my mother sang to me comes to mind and I begin humming. Kiley just sits and watches me with no expression. I turn a little to the side and wipe a tear.

  When I look back, her pure blue eyes are stuck on mine and I want to do all the screaming she’s incapable of. I have no idea what I’m doing, and I’ve never felt so helpless in my life.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Alex

  AFTER CARLO LEAVES AND while Celina gives Kiley a bath, I fill Moon in on the details of retrieving the child. I’m wound up and anger pulses through my veins as I pace. I’ve never considered children. They don’t belong in our world. That doesn’t mean I don’t want vengeance on the men who did this. Hell, her mother is just as responsible. I hope the bitch dies before I get my hands on her.

  “We cannot change the past, my friend,” Moon says quietly.

  I turn and stare at him. Hell. He’s right. My demons are wrapped up in this child. I see the images of my sister, her children, keeping them safe, and the atrocities I saw when we went after the Mexican cartel that killed Moon’s parents. It never ends and all we can do is move forward and protect as many people as we can. Money allows that. It doesn’t matter where the money comes from as long as we keep the shit from our backyard and help those who need us for protection.

  I inhale and shake my head slightly. “Dax kept his word. It’s wrong of me to say this because Dax deserves his chance, but I want to wrap my fingers around Fox’s throat so bad it fucking hurts.” I flex my hands as I say it. They tingle—calling for blood.

  “We will get our chance at some of the others who harmed the child. If Dax takes over, there will still be those who need elimination. These things are never easy and they never run smoothly.”

  He changes the subject and gives me an update on Victor Corbin. We’ll be meeting with him downtown at a restaurant at three o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

  My cell rings and it’s Miller. He was on the bike waiting closer to the house where they kept Kiley. He tells me he had no trouble with the woman he picked up. The note from Dax’s man, Skull, was simple.

  Baby safe, go with this man, I’m taking care of business.

  S

  It was enough to get the woman on the back of t
he bike and to safety. Miller’s taking her to her sister in Tucson. She says the club has no clue about her sister. We’re out of Dax’s business for now unless he calls us. I disconnect the call.

  Moon notices I can’t settle down. “Let’s hit the gym for an hour.”

  It’s a good plan. Celina comes out of the bathroom carrying a much cleaner Kiley.

  “Gabriella is making us some food. We’re going to go eat and then take a nap if that’s not a problem. We also need to dry Mary.”

  “Mary?” I ask.

  “I’ve named the doll. She can change it later if she wants.” The doll is wrapped in a hand towel and soaking through the material. Kiley doesn’t seem to mind and keeps a death grip on it.

  I turn to Moon. “I’ll change and meet you in the gym.”

  “Sounds good,” he says and gives Kiley a slight smile, which is huge for Moon, and then leaves the room.

  “Your bathroom is a mess. I’ll get it cleaned up when she takes a nap,” Celina says.

  “Gabriella will have someone take care of it while you’re eating. Let me change and I’ll carry her to the main kitchen.”

  “That would be nice.”

  She sits Kiley on the center island in my kitchen and speaks softly to her. “We’ll ask Gabriella where the dryer is and we’ll put Mary in there while we eat. Mary can lie down with us and take a nap after lunch. I don’t know about you but I’m tired.”

  I head into my room and change. When I walk back out, Celina makes a small noise in her throat. I look up and see her eyes skimming my body. “Like what you see?” I ask with a smile. A slight blush tinges her cheeks. She doesn’t answer, just smiles shyly. I move in and reach for Kiley.

  “I just can’t believe you pay for it,” she says, and it’s hard not to laugh aloud. I settle Kiley on my hip.

  “Take a good nap so I’ll get my money’s worth tonight.”

  Her blush deepens, but so does her smile.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Celina

  ALEX PLACES KILEY IN a chair at the kitchen table, which is thankfully a much smaller table than the one in the formal dining room. Kiley’s entirely too little for the chair. He gives me a one-armed pull into his body and kisses the top of my head when I glance down at Kiley. She’s watching us closely. Alex leaves and Gabriella carries over two plates of delicious smelling spaghetti and places them on the table.

  “The little one should like this. I enjoy traditional food, but this is one the bebés enjoy.”

  “Have there been many children here?” I ask.

  “Señor Moon was once young. That was at the old hacienda. I cooked for him and Señor Gomez often came to visit. My niece too. She is grown now and attending college. It is good to have a child in my kitchen.”

  Before I can ask another question, there’s an odd clicking sound behind me. I look over and see Mak’s dog walking toward us. She’s behind him.

  Gabriella raises her voice and throws a not so nice look at the dog. “No, Two-dogs, you will stay out of my kitchen.” This is followed by a string of Spanish at Mak.

  The dog’s eyes are on Kiley and he whines long and loud. Mak laughs. “He knows you love him, Gabriella, and he can’t help being drawn to the wonderful smell of food.”

  The dog lowers his body to the floor at the entrance to the kitchen and Mak steps over him. “I decided to spend a half day at the office and come home early. Any chance there’s enough for me?” I receive a wink from Mak as Gabriella goes off on another string of Spanish.

  “You know I make enough to feed this family. There will always be food available in my kitchen. Sit down and I will bring you a plate, Señora.”

  “Who do we have here?” Mak asks as she takes a seat on the other side of Kiley. “And who is this?” she adds and lifts the doll’s wet arm. The doll has now soaked the front of Kiley’s shirt.

  Gabriella places food in front of Mak and reaches for the doll. She looks straight at Kiley. “I will place her in the dryer and she will be ready when you finish your meal.”

  I’m surprised when Kiley hands her over. Gabriella marches from the kitchen with the doll in hand.

  “Kiley, this is my friend Mak. Mak, this is my niece, Kiley.” Damn I actually tear up with the introduction.

  Kiley’s hand falls to her side and she suddenly jerks it up. The dog is standing there and swipes his tongue over Kiley’s fingers. I’m about to say something, when Kiley lowers her fingers back to the dog and he gives her another gentle lick.

  Kiley smiles.

  It’s amazing and now I really want to cry. It’s only a small step, but it gives me hope. Kiley forgoes her fork and sticks her fingers into the spaghetti. She reaches out and offers a piece of spaghetti noodle to the dog. I hear a sigh and look to the door of the kitchen. Gabriella has her hands on her hips. She shakes her head and without saying a word, walks over to the sink and begins running water. She really is a softy.

  I look back at Kiley when Mak talks to her. “Kiley, honey, you can help me feed Two-dogs after you eat. He really likes you. I bet he would chase his ball if you tossed it for him.”

  Mak receives no reply, but Kiley awkwardly picks up her fork. She scoops up noodles and puts them in her mouth. I’m saddened that she automatically does what she’s told without hesitation. I pat Two-dogs on the head. Four legs is better than my two at the moment and I’ll take any help I can get.

  Kiley eats everything on her plate. I’m surprised her small belly can hold it. She also drinks two glasses of water. Mak and I talk about the office and she tells me about one of the women who is having a relationship problem. We don’t mention anything about escorts, but it’s reconfirming that this is not the place for a child. I need to take her to my mother and we need to start a new life.

  Kiley’s a mess when finished and I’m thinking we need another bath. Gabriella takes over and cleans her fingers, arms, and face expertly. She takes Kiley’s hand, speaks to her in Spanish, and the two of them walk from the room followed by Two-dogs.

  “They’re going to fetch the doll from the dryer and feed Two-dogs his dinner.”

  “Do you think Kiley understood?” I ask in dismay.

  “Most likely not, but Gabriella has a way of getting through to people and dogs.”

  I’m sad that Kiley didn’t respond to me as well as she did Gabriella, which is ridiculous. Whatever it takes to draw her out of her shell, I’m game. I just feel so helpless in my ability to know what she needs.

  “How are you holding up?” Mak asks.

  “I’m doing everything I can not to scream at the top of my lungs,” I say with a grimace.

  “Well in that case, you’re doing a good job of it.”

  I shake my head. “Only because I don’t want to cause more damage than has already been done.”

  Mak takes my hand. “I saw a lot when I was a police officer. It’s never easy, and seeing it happen to your own flesh and blood must be even harder. She’s safe now. She has Alex and Moon’s protection for life. The trouble with Fox will end soon. What are your plans?”

  I feel guilty, but I say what I need to. “I can’t stay here. When I know she’s safe, I’ll take her to my mother. We’ll figure something out. I need to find a job.” I flush and look up. “Something tied to my education.”

  Mak smiles gently. “I knew the first time I saw you that escorting wasn’t in your blood. It was difficult for me in the beginning to accept that the feminist movement is about more than equal rights. It’s about the right to decide your own path even if it’s not the one I would choose. My job is to keep the women safe so they have that choice. That’s why I took over the business and I don’t regret it. Moon has more of a problem with me heading up his escort service than I do.” Her smile changes and she rolls her eyes. “Okay, I hate the constant drama and you’re lucky you weren’t around long enough to get involved. If it wasn’t for Cori, I’d go nuts. She’s my best escort and can smack down a room full of women without laying a hand on anyo
ne. Me, I really miss my Taser.”

  How can I not laugh? I didn’t meet the other escorts. Mak makes them sound like a dysfunctional family who she obviously loves. Gabriella and Kiley walk back in and this time Kiley’s not holding Gabriella’s hand. Her arms are wrapped tightly around the doll.

  Gabriella picks up the chair by the table and carries it farther into the kitchen while speaking. “Kiley and I are making tortillas. I will teach her the recipe and she will help me roll the balls. I have explained that it takes hard work to be a woman in this world and the sooner she knows how to do these things the better. We make a good team, sí?” She looks down at Kiley and smiles as she lifts her up so she’s standing on the chair. “You hold onto the counter and don’t fall down. I will get what we need.”

  Kiley stands and watches Gabriella in fascination as the woman brings over a large bowl and a large bag of flour. I continue watching as Gabriella explains the recipe and what they need to do. She pours the entire bag of flour into the bowl, runs it under the water without measuring, lifts it out of the sink, and has Kiley place her hands in and help her stir. Half the directions are in Spanish, but Gabriella patiently shows Kiley what she needs to do. The woman is amazing, and I realize I’m even further out of my league than I thought.

  Mak leans in and fake whispers, “There are two men in the weight room right now who are hot and sweaty and delicious. Well mine is, I don’t know about yours. Both are the perfect eye candy when real women are hard at work in the kitchen and the rest of us need something to occupy our lazy minds.” Gabriella responds in Spanish and Mak laughs and replies in English. “I’ve been trying to get you to teach me how to make those since I moved in. My feelings are hurt, so I need to do something to lift my spirits.”