Page 73 of Broken Skulls

I give her a kiss on the cheek before she walks away. My fingers wrap tightly around the little bell in my hand. She’s lighter today. I can’t imagine the relief she feels knowing all of her monsters are gone. I felt that relief briefly when my father went to prison.

As I’m hanging the guardian bell on my bike, the smell of something wonderful wafts on the breeze. I turn and see the curtains blowing softly in my windows. I stand up straight. I’m not sure why it surprises me. Probably because a few days ago, she wanted to remain barricaded in my basement. Maybe she just needed someone to step in and demand something different for her.

I crouch down and flick the little bell, thanking the gods that orchestrated bringing us together.

I glance at my watch. Anthony and Danielle are supposed to stop by. They’re late. I wonder if I should mention it to Elizabeth. I hope there’s enough food. I thought they’d be here before supper.

My fingers pause on the door when I hear someone singing. I quietly turn the handle. What I find inside permanently imprints on my brain.

Elizabeth is quietly singing one of my mom’s favorite songs. She’s in a pair of tight jeans and an oversized sweater that is hanging off her shoulder on one side. I look behind me, making sure I’m still in the junkyard. Suddenly, my house feels very different.

She rises to her tiptoes, looking in the cupboard for something.

I’m frozen. I sure as fuck don’t deserve such a beautiful creature in my space. When she lifts her leg to climb up onto the cabinets, I step forward.

“Here let me help you,” I say, making her jump.

Her hand rests on her chest. “Shit, you scared me. I didn’t hear you come in.” She giggles nervously. “I was trying to grab that bowl up there.” She points.

I reach up and hand it to her.

“Thank you,” she says softly, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

I’ve never been around anyone who has been so affected by my presence before. I like it.

Her finger traces the pattern on the side of the dish. “It’s beautiful.”

A chuckle escapes me. “Yeah, I’m sorry nothing matches.”

She lifts her eyes to look at the other items in the cupboard. “I like it that way. I’ve never understood why someone would want one pattern when there are so many to choose from.”

She’s perfect.

Perfect.

“Whatever you’re making it smells wonderful.”

This spurs her into action. “Oh yeah. You made me forget what I was doing.”

I laugh. “You might want to get used to that.”

The shy dip of her head when I wink at her makes my heart warm.

“Do you have enough for four? I think Danielle and Anthony will be stopping by.”

She turns away from me. “They aren’t coming.”

“Are you sure? I just talked to them before I left the warehouse today.”

Her shoulders slowly pull to her ears. “Jesse told me she would talk to them. I’m not ready to see them right now.”

“Okay,” I say. It makes me so fucking happy that she’s leaning on Jesse. That bitch is as loyal and tough as they come. I’m glad they seem to be hitting it off really well. Elizabeth could use a good friend. One who understands sometimes you have to be the villain.

Instantly, her shoulders fall. She was worried I would be disappointed with her.

“Elizabeth, look at me.”

Slowly, she turns away from the stove, her eyes eventually landing on mine.

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