See No Evil

“I know, Momma.”

“I was thinking that maybe next weekend we can go visit him,” she adds expectantly, and I hate to be the one to damper the small flicker of hope in her eyes.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I mumble under my breath, knowing Dad still hasn’t added her name back on his visitor’s list.

Last time I went to the big house to see him, Dad was still adamant that Mom shouldn’t be in an environment that could only trigger her. Although they haven’t been together in over a decade, he loves her just as fiercely, and wouldn’t want to do anything that could harm her stability.

Like we had any after he was locked away.

“Yes, of course. You’re right,” she replies disappointedly, turning to her side, away from me.

“Sleep now, okay? Tomorrow, I’ll come over and have an early di

She gives me a sheepish nod, but I know fried food isn’t going to make things better for her. I don’t think anything will, really. Her mental state, combined with a broken heart, just leaves too many scars for her frail mind to overcome.

Life hasn’t been fair to her, but hopefully, the tides will change in our favor. I’ve been working my butt off at school to make it so. I’m going to do everything in my power to change our lives. To get us out of this shithole of a town and give her the proper care she needs. Dad had tried his best, but I’ll make sure to succeed where he failed.

I wait for a few minutes until I hear her breathing simmer down into a soft pace. Once I’m sure she’s out cold, I step outside her room, ready to get pretty boy out of here. God knows he must be counting the minutes for us to leave. However, I can’t help the smile that crests my lips when I see him washing my mother’s dirty dishes, looking right at home amongst all the mess.

“I never imagined you were so well house-trained,” I tease, behind him.

“I umm… I mean… is this okay? I just couldn’t keep still,” he stutters in embarrassment, placing another plate on the rack.

“I see that. Knock yourself out, quarterback.”

He throws me a meek grin and continues on with his task.

“How is she?”

“Okay. Okay for her, at least. Luckily it’s not one of her worst days.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“What isn’t wrong with her?” I sigh out. “She’s sick. Body, mind, and soul. But if you want to get technical, she suffers from bipolar disorder according to the doctor’s diagnosis.”

The confused look that shadows his features, trying to make sense of my explanation, is priceless. His forehead is wrinkled, and his clear blue eyes are focused on the soap suds while furiously scrubbing the plate in his hand. He seems lost in his head, trying to solve what looks to be the world’s hardest algebra problem.

“And this was a good day, you say?” Fi

“Surprisingly so. After her frantic call earlier today, I was sure to find her worse off. But I guess the bourbon helped.” I sigh, picking up an empty bottle and throwing it in the trash.

“Should she be drinking at all? I mean, won’t that mess with her meds?”

“Now you’re talking like a true Northsider. What meds, pretty boy? You think she can afford the good stuff?” I retort back harshly.

“It was just a question, Stone,” he answers softly, making me feel like shit for snapping at him.

“I know it was,” I huff out, feeling exhausted all of a sudden. “Are you almost finished? I need to get out of here and breathe some fresh air.”

“Are you still in the mood for di

“Yeah, I am. But I don’t think I can handle whatever fancy place you picked out. Mind if we go somewhere else?”

“I’m all good with whatever you want, Stone,” he replies with a little sparkle in his sapphire eyes as he dries his hands with a dishcloth.

I try not to read too much into it, and instead walk over to the cereal cabinet and take out the box of Raisin Bran. No one eats this vile stuff, so if my mom’s ex, Rhett, decides to pay her a little visit again, this will be the last place he’ll look for cash. I take out the last twenty-dollar bill from my purse and stuff it inside, so she at least has money for bread and milk tomorrow morning. From the corner of my eye, I see Fi

“Stop,” I order, putting my hand on his chest to halt what he’s about to do. “I told you, I don’t want your money.”

He grabs my hand, keeping it locked and pressed against his beating heart, making me shift from one foot to the next, uncomfortable with his penetrating gaze on me.

“I know you don’t, but I’m not giving it to you. I’m leaving it for your momma,” he explains softly.

“Whatever,” I mumble, squinting my eyes at him, and take back my hand trapped on his grasp.

When I see him drop a few Benjamins into the box, my lips thin. I know my mother will go nuts when she sees all that cash but still doesn’t feel right. There are always strings involved whenever accepting such a generous gift. No one does anything out of the kindness of their own heart. That’s just not the world I live in. Everything comes at a price—even kindness.

“You ready to blow this joint or what, quarterback?” I ask anxiously, needing to get Fi

“Lead the way. I’ll follow wherever you go.”

“Sure you will,” I retort, unamused at his knight-in-shining-armor routine.

Fi

“Keys,” I demand the instant we get outside.

“And who says I’m going to let you drive my car?”

“I do. Keys. Now.”

“And I’m the one who’s bossy? Woman, you invented the word.” He laughs.

“And don’t you forget it.” I smirk at him as he tosses me the keys to his beloved Porsche.

Sinking into the seat, I instantly love being behind the wheel of such an extraordinary piece of equipment. I can’t help the smile that splits my face when the powerful engine purrs to life. This is going to be fun.

Fi

“You ready?” I raise my brow.

“As I’ll ever be,” he replies, not convinced in the slightest.

“Then strap in and hold on tight!”

Without warning, I pull in reverse and turn the car so fast it gives Fi

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Woman, don’t kill us!”

“Don’t you worry that pretty head of yours. I got this,” I laugh out loud, pushing the car as fast as it can go.

After a few minutes, I half-expected Fi