Page 19 of Pretend for Me

Matthew walked back to his room, pretending not to have heard anything.

He was getting good at playing pretend.

“Get up, you bastards!”Helen banged at the closed bedroom door.

Cassie hid under Matthew’s comforter just in case Helen decided to come inside. While she’d pretended to be brave in front of Matthew last night, she couldn’t handle getting hit. Cassie waited until she heard the bathroom door close, and she decided to risk opening Matthew’s bedroom door.

Outside the room, Flynn was leaning against the frame, a sleazy smile on his face. Cassie gulped and looked back to a sleeping Matthew. She didn’t want to wake him, considering he never really slept soundly.

“Please move, Flynn. I need to clean the kitchen before breakfast.” She attempted to walk around him but he grabbed her casted arm and pinned her against the frame where he was leaning a moment ago.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” His face was so close to hers that she could smell his foul breath.

Cassie’s heart rate quickened, and she closed her eyes, afraid. This was one of the first times she had been alone with Flynn.

Before she knew it, Cassie was being moved. Matthew had risen and was now in front of Flynn.

“Don’t touch her.” Matthew mustered up all the courage he could. If there was anything worth fighting for, it was Cassie.

Flynn laughed and pushed Matthew so his back hit the wall. “Lover boy thinks he’s tough.” He motioned to lean forward and scare Matthew, but instead, Matthew remained unfazed.

“Flynn, Matthew, Cassie, get your asses down here NOW.” Helen’s shrill voice sounded from downstairs.

After bumping Matthew, Flynn made his way downstairs.

Matthew grabbed Cassie by the shoulders. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. Cassie always grew quiet after these types of scenarios.

Matthew pulled her into a bear hug until he heard Helen calling their names again and tugged her downstairs.

“You rat bastards! Are you trying to get me in trouble with Social Services? Fucking Mrs. Baker is coming today with a prospective family. They want a boy, so wear your Sunday best.” Helen pinched Matthew’s cheek. “You escape a beating for today.”

Aaron came up behind Matthew and Cassie, addressing all the kids. “We want the place spotless”—he looked at his watch—“in forty-five minutes.”

All the children started running around doing their assigned chores.

An hour later, Mrs. Baker arrived with an attractive Hispanic couple. By the looks of the couple, they had money. The woman, Nancy, and her husband, Jerry, wore designer clothing, and Nancy was carrying a Louis Vuitton purse.

All five children lined up neatly, waiting for judgment day. Cassie and Lana only lined up out of respect. They weren’t even in the running since the couple wanted a boy.

Nancy looked the kids up and down, giving Cassie a nasty glare when she gave her a toothy smile and wave with her hand that wasn’t in a cast. Helen grabbed Cassie and dragged her so she was standing next to her where she couldn’t cause any trouble.

Anne Baker was the first to speak. “Well we have three fine young men right here. I know you said you preferred a boy. Matthew here is turning seven in a few months and has excellent manners.” She always tried to pitch Matthew first, knowing his backstory would cause difficulty.

“How are your grades?” Nancy inquired.

“His grades are—” Mrs. Baker tried to interject.

“I asked the ‘fine young man.’” Nancy made a face of disgust and pursed her lips.

Matthew disliked these visits. While he hated Helen and Aaron, he didn’t know anything else. In his mind, he could handle a few slaps, here and there.

“They … they are fine.” Matthew stuttered, nervously running his hand through his untamable head of hair.

Nancy stared at the disheveled mess that Matthew looked on the outside and felt on the inside and she scoffed. She moved to stand in front of Flynn.

“Well, hello, beautiful.” Flynn purred, always trying to act older than he was.

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