“What exactly do I need to do?” Lily sits in the chair beside me in front of the desk.
Jay leans against the window sill behind Dad. Rodeo and Worley Bird stand on either side of the door behind us. Meetings with angels in our care are kept as private as possible.
“Your next step is to decide where you wanna start over. If you have family or friends on the East Coast, we’ll help you get there,” Dad replies.
Mom rolls her eyes. It’s a good thing Dad didn’t see it. A fight between my parents is explosive. With the headache I have this morning, the last thing I need is these two arguing.
“Ariel’s Angels doesn’t just rescue women. We’ve mentioned that we help you find a safe place to start over. We give you a new identity and help you find a new job. But you can never contact anyone from your old life again,” Mom explains a little better.
“Not even your parents,” Dad adds.
“Not a problem,” Lily mumbles. She raises her head and looks Dad in the eye. Brave girl. “My mother overdosed five years ago.”
“And your dad?” Dad asks.
Lily shrugs one shoulder. “I don’t know where or who he is. Mom would never tell me.”
I rub my thumb and index fingers over my eyes. I’m an idiot. I should have asked these questions last night so she wouldn’t have to share them for the first time in front of everyone. Mom and Dad look at each other. I reach over and take Lily’s hand. She looks toward me but doesn’t meet my eyes. She really is alone. It could explain how her abuser was able to get her into a vulnerable relationship with him.
“What about your mom’s family?” Mom is softer-spoken than Dad.
Lily slightly shakes her head. She doesn’t look directly at anyone. “Mom ended contact with her family before I was born. I don’t know why. All I know is she mentioned growing up in North Carolina.”
Again, my parents do that looking at each other thing. I swear, in these moments, they’re telepathic.
I slide to the edge of my chair. “Actually, Lily and I talked last night. I offered to show her around Willow Creek.”
Yep, my parents are telepathic. From their expressions, they’re shocked, or maybe they're angry. It’s hard to tell. The latter sounds more like them this morning. Both are very touchy today. Jay’s interest is piqued. Rodeo and Worley Bird move around behind us, but neither speaks.
Mom recovers first. “Lily, do you wish to stay in Willow Creek for a while?”
Lily looks up at Mom and lightly squeezes my hand. “I would.”
Dad clears his throat. “Okay. That changes things. We’ll get you settled and find you a job. We’ll hold off on finding one in the medical field until you make a final decision. The bar isn’t a good idea.”
“Waiting tables at the diner isn’t either,” Mom adds.
Dad looks over his shoulder at Jay. “You need a secretary?”
“Nope.” Jay shakes his head.
That’s a lie. Jay seriously needs a secretary. His office is a mess. I don’t understand how he finds any of his paperwork.
“What about the bakery?” Worley Bird suggests.
“Good idea. I’ll call Emily and see.” Mom definitely approves of the bakery. She’ll make this happen.
“Okay. That’s it for today. Sweetheart, take Lily to the kitchen. You two help Mom make breakfast.” Dad pulls Mom down and kisses her until everyone in the room is uncomfortable.
When he releases her, Mom walks around the desk. Her eyes settle behind Lily and me.
“Worley Bird, please take Lily to the kitchen. I think I need to be here for this conversation.”
What conversation? I groan. My idea went over a little too easily. Of course, Dad had more to say.
“Mac?” Worley Bird will honor Mom. She is the club Queen, after all. However, Dad’s word is law around here. Dad dips his chin. Worley Bird walks up to Lily’s chair. “Come on, Miss Lily. Let’s get you to the kitchen.”
Lily slowly lifts from the chair. “Don’t I get a say in this?”