Page 15 of Sweet Little Thing

The three and a half hours I slept seemed like I barely closed my eyes. The alarm went off by my head and for a moment I was back at home; a school morning and I was going to hit the snooze, but when I peeled my eyes open to find the blasted noisy alarm I saw the washing machine. And I remembered I wasn’t home. I wasn’t in school anymore. Home was no more.

Yawning, I stretched, and my calves burned. My feet ached, and my eyes felt raw as if I’d cried all night. But I hadn’t, so I lay there and stared at the ceiling. A fancy ceiling for a basement. It was white with crown molding, like the rest of the house. Ornate even.

I wondered how many mornings Ms. Charlotte had laid here and stared at that ceiling. Had she ever wanted to quit? Or had she loved working here? I couldn’t imagine loving, working daily for the Van Allan’s. They weren’t a happy bunch.

I also wondered if it was easier to work here when your shoesfit as I wiggled my toes, dreading putting mine on, laying here not getting breakfast cooked. I hoped Jasper sat and ate his meal here this morning. I had to talk to him. There was a chance Stone had already told him. When I’d gotten in last night, and my code for the door still worked, I found that to be a positive. At least I hadn’t been evicted and booted from the premises.

With great reluctance, I crawled from bed and got dressed, leaving my shoes for last before I went upstairs. The good news was I didn’t have to chase Jasper. He was already in the kitchen. The bad news was that he appeared to be waiting and wasn’t smiling and cheery. The coffee in his hand said he hadn’t just arrived. I’d never seen him awake at six thirty. That was also a negative thing.

“Good morning,” I said before stopping just as I walked into the room. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was prepared for anything. I’d be more prepared if I’d had my coffee, but then again, I was numb from fatigue. This was a conversation I’d gone over in my head several times, especially in the past twenty-four hours. I suppose I was ready enough.

“Late night?” he asked, taking a sip.

“Yes, I’m guessing Winston told you about my second job.”

He frowned. “Second job?”

Oh, so Stone hadn’t told him. Oops. That wasn’t the way I wanted to lead in, though now I’d been led in.

“You need a second job? I thought I paid you well here. Surely there isn’t anything that costs so much in your life you need additional funds?”

I considered telling him about Heidi. It would be easier and make more sense. But I was scared. I’d watched people mistreat her over and over, not wanting the hassle. Could I trust Jasper with something this important? Portia didn’t seem to think I should tell him or at least she had insinuated I shouldn’t. With that, I went in another direction.

“I’m saving to attend college.” There, that had once been the truth. Didn’t make it the truth right now, but I didn’t know Jasper well enough to trust him, and I had to protect my sister.

“Really? What would be your major?”

“Nursing. I plan to go to nursing school.”

He took another drink and then set his cup down. “That’s why you need a second job? You’re making two grand a month. You made thirty-six thousand over the past six months. Even after taxes, I can’t imagine nursing school costing that much?”

“I wanted to be sure I could complete it. Pay it in full upfront.”

He didn’t seem to be satisfied. “What nursing school are you wanting to attend? I would think you’d have all you need working here in just a couple more months. You have no rent, bills, or food costs to weigh you down or hold you back. I assume you own that car. What’ve you spent your money on? Do you have some addiction I need to know about? You don’t look the type. Then again, the dark circles camping under your eyes and the way you came home dressed last night make me question everything.”

He’d seen me come home? I hadn’t seen him. That was why he was up early waiting on me to report. Stone hadn’t told him a thing, which was odd. I’d expected him to.

“That was my uniform. I don’t get to choose what I wear. As for the circles, I’m tired but will adjust. I don’t, nor have I ever, had any form of addiction.”

Maybe it was the exhaustion? Maybe the fear he wouldn’t believe me? But for whatever reason, I decided it was time to tell Jasper the truth. All I could hope was he would understand and not toss me out and accuse me of mooching off his mother. If I told him about Heidi and he didn’t accept my taking care of her and keeping her where she was, I’d leave and work three jobs. Whatever I had to do.

“I have a sister,” I said, knowing I couldn’t go back. I had totell him everything. Admit it and deal with the outcome. I wasn’t asking for a handout. I wasn’t hoping to get more money out of him. I’d come here simply because my mother told me to. There was no other choice to make.

“Okay, I assume you have a family. What has that got to do with this?”

“She’s my only family. All I have left. Our mother died of pneumonia six months ago. . .” I then paused over the abyss, making sure I knew what I was doing.

“I’m listening,” he said, waiting for me to continue.

I took a deep breath and let it out. I was nervous. This could be a mistake. But I was also tired of keeping this a secret when it wasn’t something I should have to conceal. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t illegal. It was my life. Simple as that.

“Heidi. That’s her name. She got the better name. She is older than me but only by a minute.”

“You have a twin?” he asked, raising his eyebrows, surprised. “I was expecting you to tell me you had a little sister that you had to support on the side. Wasn’t expecting a twin.”

I bit my bottom lip and looked away. The next part was the most important. It was what made me strong yet also vulnerable, all at the very same time. Heidi was my strength, but also, taking care of her was where my fear came from. What if I couldn’t raise the money? What if I failed and she couldn’t live there? What if Jasper fired me right now?

“She’s. . .special. . .the most special person I’ve ever known. She’s been the one person in my life who always made me smile. To remind me there’s always something in life to be happy about, regardless. That joy can come from a hug. Heidi and I aren’t identical. Heidi has Down syndrome. That’s why she’s the oldest. They had to take her out first. We were both early because of it.” I stopped then and waited for a response.

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