Page 165 of Five Mountain Daddies

“Really.” He turns and leaves the room. She shuts the door behindhim.

I stare at him for a second as he goes through her duffel bag. I lean up against the beat-up wooden desk and try to understand what’shappening.

“Let me get this straight,” I say finally. “You want me to babysit thatjunkie?”

“At least until she comes down,” he says. “Just onenight.”

“It’s still early. What are we going to do allday?”

He shrugs. “I’ll hang out with you guys today. We’ll watch TV, play cards, whatever. But she can never bealone.”

I sigh. “This iscrazy.”

“I know.” He walks over and leans up against the desk next to me. “But trust me,okay?”

I look up into his eyes, and I want to do anything but trust him. This is horrifying, difficult, insane. We basically kidnapped this girl, and he’s threatening to abuse his police powers to keep her locked up withus.

But I know why he’s doing it. He stayed when he meant to leave, and that says a lot more than anything else. He could have left me here to figure it out, but instead he’s here withme.

At the very least, I can do what hesays.

“Fine,” I say finally. “But I’m not happy aboutit.”

He grins at me. “Duly noted.” He walks over to the bathroom and pounds on the door. “Time’s up, Kristi. Comeout.”

And so begins one of the most boring days of my life. Kristi spends the first hour berating Wyatt, calling him every name imaginable. When she turns on me, Wyatt snaps at her, and she looks away. But I can see the hate in her eyes, and thehunger.

It reminds me of Atticus. Whenever he came to ask for money, he always had that hungrylook.

We pass the hours. Kristi eventually stops complaining. She gets into bed and stares at the television, watching episode after episode ofTeen Mom. I go downstairs and buy a pack of cards, and I play a bunch of different games withWyatt.

Eventually, Wyatt orders everyone dinner. We eat sitting in the cramped room. It’s tasteless, bland food, but at least it means time’s starting topass.

Eventually, night rolls around. Kristi’s passed out in bed. She’s been looking more and more strung out as the day’s wound on, and I think she’s finally just giving up and sleeping itoff.

Wyatt tosses the scraps of our dinner into the trash. “I think it’s time,” he says tome.

“Forwhat?”

“Bed.” He glances over at Kristi. “You sure you’re going to beokay?”

I nod. “She’s harmless,” Isay.

“Be careful. I think she’s more dangerous than she letson.”

I follow his gaze, over to the sleeping girl. She looks so young in that bed alone, chest slowly rising, mouth hangingopen.

“I’ll becareful.”

He nods. “Okay. Good. I’m right next door if you need anything.” He hesitates. “Are you going to be able tosleep?”

“Probably,” I say, although I don’t meanit.

“Good.” He lingers for a second. “Well then. Goodnight.”

“Night.”

He leaves the room and as soon as the door shuts, I feel completelytrapped.

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