her hand. “Now, come on, let’s get this over with.”
“Why can’t I just live with you?” Jenny took her hand.
“Doesn’t work like that, short stuff. But I’ll keep you safe. Okay?”
“’kay.”
A few minutes later, Breena walked into the living room with Jenny.
Norma scooted to the edge of the couch. “About damn time.” Evil One cussing was never a good sign and Breena felt Jenny tense beside her.
Susan sat with her feet propped on the coffee table. She gave Jenny a heated glare as she sipped her Diet Coke. “You’re gonna get it.”
Breena stared Real Daughter down, daring her to make a move. Susan caught Breena’s look then went back to ignoring her.
“Here.” Norma pointed to the spot in front of her. Jenny eased her way around the coffee table. “Sit.”
As Breena’s shoulders rose, she tightened her hands into fists, squeezing so hard her fingernails dug into skin. It had been a while since the last time.
“Stan said ya bit him. He had ta go to the ER.” Norma’s bloodshot eyes fixed on Jenny.
“Animal,” Susan added.
Jenny risked a glance up at her sister and Breena inched closer to her.
“You bitch.” Norma cracked her knuckles.
“She’s a little girl,” Breena snapped, only a step or two away from her.
“And you…” She turned her hateful gaze to Breena. “He said ya came on to him.”
Breena wanted to scream but knew if she did, Jenny would be even more afraid. So she stuck her finger in her mouth and made a gagging sound. Out the corner of her eye she glimpsed Jenny’s small, guarded smile. “I did not.”
“Liar.” Susan always fueled her mother’s fires.
“You lil’ piece a shit.”
“She is not.” Jenny defended Breena.
Wrong move. Any act of strength around Norma would cost you.
“Shut up.” Evil One raised her hand to Jenny.
Breena jumped, tackling Norma to the floor, unsure what she expected to happen, only knowing she couldn’t watch Norma hit Jenny. Not again.
“Get. Off. Me.” Norma’d been blessed with the body of a linebacker, and she’d gotten her arm strength from lifting fifty-pound packages at the UPS plant.
Latching onto Breena’s shoulders, Evil One hoisted her off and pushed her back into the opposite end of the couch. Norma landed one good slap across Breena’s face before she got away. Breena couldn’t go very far though, because Jenny sat frozen to the coffee table.
“Get out.” Norma pointed toward the front door.
Breena motioned to Jenny. “Let’s go to your room.”
“No.” Norma cracked her knuckles, her face red and eyes dark. “Get the hell outta my house. And don’t come back.”
Jenny met her gaze. Breena nodded slowly. Jenny stood and came around the coffee table, but Susan blocked her path. “Mom.”
Norma turned around. “Jennifer Doe, where the hell ya think you’re goin’?”
Jenny froze.
“She’s coming with me.” Breena reached around Susan to grab Jenny’s hand.
Norma crossed her arms. “Over my dead body.”
“You don’t want her here.”
“No, but I want the check.”
Tears clouded Jenny’s eyes. Breena didn’t know what to do.
“Let her come with me. You’ll still get your money. I promise,” Breena pleaded.
“Do I look like a fuckin’ idiot?”
Yes. Next question .
“What about when the social worker woman drops by? Jennifer’s staying here. Now get!” Norma yanked Jenny from Breena’s grasp.
“No!” Breena squinted as hard as she could, hoping maybe the blue glow would burst out of her and knock Norma down dead. Of course, nothing happened. Why would it? “You can’t make me.”
“Wanna bet?”
Breena glared at Norma. She’d take whatever Evil One dished out. She was not leaving Jenny here alone and that was that. When Norma raised her hand, Breena closed her eyes and braced herself for the blow. It never came. When she opened her eyes, Jenny lay sprawled on the floor and Norma was shaking out her fist. The tears Jenny had been holding in
Walter Jon Williams
Benjamin Kelly
Cara Connelly
Bobby Adair
Jedediah Berry
Nikki Sloane
Alan Cheuse
Michelle Figley
Lindsay Paige
Veronica Heley