Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I’m scared,” I admit. I hate saying it out loud, but it’s the truth.
“I can help you, but I can’t do it blind.”
“They’ll take him either way.”
“Will his parents be looking for him?”
I shake my head. “They died. It’s how he ended up in my group house. I’ve been watching him. God knows my foster family isn’t going to.” I’ve tended to his every need.
Taking care of younger kids wasn’t new to me. It's something you always do in the system. I’ve bounced around a lot. We all try to take care of each other. Some homes are better than others. This one hadn’t been bad really. The Porters just wanted their state checks and to be left alone. If you stayed out of the way, it was all fine.
“Why did you run from there?”
“You won’t believe me.” I’m still trying to believe what I heard.
“Try me.” I chew on my bottom lip, not sure how much I should tell. “You have nothing to lose at this point.”
“I heard Ms. Jacobs, the social worker assigned to Beau, talking to Mr. and Mrs. Porter. They were discussing selling him. They were going into detail about how they could make a fortune off him, but they needed to act soon cause he’s getting older. The younger the better. They planned to say he’d gone missing. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they were going to say that I had him last. I know it sounds crazy. I didn’t believe it at first, but I know what I heard. I couldn’t let that happen. I mean, who were they going to sell Beau to? Just someone who wanted a baby? Or like organs or some other thing I don’t even want to think about? I just—"
“No one is going to take him from us,” Mr. Mason says, cutting in. His tone is calm, but that darkness in his eyes flashes once again.
“Us?” A small flame of hope lights inside of me. He nods.
“Colin brought you something.” He motions toward the bags. “My bathroom has a shower if you’d like to use it. Everything you’ll need is in the bags.”
The thought of a shower makes me want to cry. I stand, going over to the bags, shuffling through them. He wasn’t lying. There is everything I’ll need in them. Not only for me but Beau too. I get a pile of things I’ll need to shower. I can feel him watching me the whole time.
“You think I’m going to run?”
“No, I have Beau. I’m not worried about you running.” Right.
“Why are you doing this for us?”
“I thought I already answered that.” My mind flashes back to when I said he didn’t own me. His response was I do. No one has ever claimed me before. Not in my whole life. I’ve never belonged to anyone.
“I’m Lila,” I tell him. “Be careful what you claim.”
3
HENDRIX
Dear Mr. Mason:
Thank you for the monthly allowance you deposited. As you can see by the bank balance, I have not spent the last ten monthly allowances you have given me. Please do not deposit any more. Thank you.
Lila
PS I only received one photo of Beau when we agreed you would send at least three each month.
Dear Mr. Mason:
No, I am not attending any dances. This is an all girls’ school. We don’t have dances so there’s nothing for you to forbid me to attend. Also just because you’re paying for my school and taking care of Beau doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.
Lila
PS The photos of Beau were nice. Thanks.
Dear Mr. Mason:
Thank you for your generous contribution to the St. Mary’s Academy. Per your request, we have replaced the interschool meet and greet with a museum outing. The girls were delighted to attend, and the lecture on the Theories of Interdimensional Light and Sound was fascinating. I am certain that these girls gained more from this visit than they would have with a co-ed gathering.
Indebtedly yours,
Headmistress Elizabeth Kura
Dear Mr. Mason:
My friends heard that we were supposed to have a get together with St. Peter’s Reform School but that you donated a boatload of money so we had to go to some dumb museum? Thanks for nothing. I’m now an outcast. Everyone hates me!
Lila
PS Stop depositing money in my account!
Dear Mr. Mason:
Yes, I was exaggerating about everyone hating me. No, I do not want to go on a ski trip to Aspen with the Williams. I want to come home and see Beau. Does he even remember me? I miss him. Besides, I don’t know how to ski and I don’t have any ski wear. I’ll see you in a month. I mean, I’ll see you and Beau. But mostly Beau. I’m coming back to see Beau.
Lila
Dear Mr. Mason:
I received the box of Moncler ski-wear. Apparently it’s all very expensive? My classmates loved it. Carole looks great in the knit pants and Wendy loved the shiny blue puffer. They’re excited to take those items with them on their Aspen vacation while I come and see Beau. They asked me to pass on the thanks for your generous gifts.