Page 15 of Daddy's Little Survivor

She quickly went back to the bathroom, grabbing the clothes before making her way toward the kitchen. She knew he said to leave them behind, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that. What if it was a test and she was really supposed to bring them with her?

Walking into the kitchen, Michael turned around right as she entered and she watched as his jaw dropped. Little soft giggles escaped past her mouth as she looked at him. Why was he making such a silly face?

Michael smiled at her and she quickly remembered she needed to know where the washer and dryer were so she could put her stuff in.

She held up her clothes and the towel toward him. “Where is the washer?” she whispered.

“You can leave them right here and I’ll put them away while you eat,” he said.

She stared at him, trying to see if he was telling the truth or if this was another test. It was so hard to read him and what he wanted, and it was making her start to panic. What if she chose the wrong thing?

“It’s okay. Nothing’s going to happen. You can place them right here on the floor and I’ll put them in the wash while you eat,” he said after she continued to hold her clothes and towel. “You can sit on this stool and I’ll get your food for you. I hope you like chicken nuggets and carrots.”

Monroe held her facial expressions back. She loved chicken nuggets but didn’t want the carrots. If she had her way, she wouldn’t eat any veggies ever.

“Do you want ketchup?” he asked, and she nodded her head.

Chicken nuggets and ketchup was the best combo ever! Putting her clothes and the towel down on the floor, she sat down on the stool and waited for the food.

“While you eat, I’m going to quickly put these in the wash and then I'll brush your hair,” he said as he placed the plate down in front of her with her Canada Dry from earlier. After placing the food in front of her, he grabbed her dirty clothes and towel.

Tears sprang to her eyes as she looked down at the plate. Everything was cut up for her in little bite sizes. No one had ever cut up her food for her, not even when she was little.

Growing up in the foster care system, she moved from house to house, and a lot of the families already had kids. Some were better than others, but she learned pretty quick to become independent and not rely on the families for much of anything.

“Eat as much as you can and if you want a snack later, I have several things,” he said as he walked back into the kitchen, hairbrush in hand. “Can I brush your hair?”

She wanted to shake her head no, but found herself nodding instead. She couldn’t remember the last time someone brushed her hair. Even her ‘Daddy’ back in high school hadn’tbrushed her hair when she was Little.

Jared definitely never offered to brush her hair for her. He thought it was below him to do anything like that.

“I’ll be gentle, don’t worry,” he softly spoke as he started to brush her hair out. “I just want to let you know I took off the next couple of days so I can take care of you. I know it might be weird, but I don’t want you doing much because you have a lot of cuts and bruises. I want you to relax and be able to heal.”

Monroe stopped eating as he spoke. Was he for real? She had planned on waking up earlier than him and leaving his house. Why would he really want her to stay? She couldn’t believe it was because he wanted her to get better. That just seemed weird and off.

“I believe I have some arnica care cream for your bruises, but if I don’t I’ll have my friend pick up some.” He continued to gently brush her hair out.

She was shocked with how gently he was brushing her hair. Had he done this before?

“I don’t need any,” she whispered.

She didn’t want him to go out and buy some just for her. She could go without as she had done before so many times.

It was like she could feel the disappointment roll off him as he paused brushing her hair. Did she say something wrong? Was that one of the tests she didn’t see?

Nausea rolled in her stomach and she pushed her food away. She didn’t think she could stomach any more food after she realized she didn’t pass one of the tests.

“Can you take a couple more bites?” he gently asked.

Monroe shook her head and yawned. She just wanted to catch a couple hours of sleep before she left his house.

“Okay, how about we get you into bed,” he said.

She got off the chair and followed him past the bathroom she used and toward a door.

“This can be your room for as long as you stay here. If you need anything, my room is right next to yours,” he said. “If you get hungry at night, come get me. You get scared, come get me. If you’re thirsty, come get me. I promise I won’t be mad.”

She nodded her head but knew she wasn’t going to be getting him for anything. Waking up a man from his sleep wasn’t a wise idea. It always ended worse when she woke up Jared.

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