Page 26 of The Bargain

Dee shook her head. “I don’t speak ill of the dead.”

I looked down at my plate. My sister had been as calculating as Dean accused her of being. “I thought about it and it made sense now you know. The newspaper cuttings she had... Eddie had not been her usual type, too soft and lanky. She played him, didn’t she?”

Dee let out a weary sigh. “I’m not certain, honeybun, but what I do know is that your sister always knew how to keep herself safe. She’d had an implant and even when she was high, condoms were a must.” She shrugged.

I nodded. She didn't need to say more, I understood Dean had been right and, whilst misplaced, his anger and dislike was.

“But what she might have done or not doesn’t matter. She’d loved this baby you know.”

“I do.” I nodded. That was the only thing stopping me from being mad at her right now.

“He is just so -” I shook my head. I didn’t know how to put it without worrying poor Dee too much.

“So?”

“Angry all the time. He is hot and cold. One moment he almost seems concerned and then the next, he’s treating me like Typhoid Mary.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “He’s attracted to you, but doesn’t like it.” She cocked her head to the side. “You can always use that to your advantage.”

I snorted at that one. “Yeah, I don't think that’s it, Dee. No, the disgust on his face when he looks at me is clear enough. And even if that was the case, I’d never use anyone like that and you know it. I’m not Opal.”

She sighed. “That man clearly would…” She pointed at the credit card I’d put on the table to show we were ready to pay and then to the cashmere coat folded neatly on the seat beside me. “That man clearly is. But take what you can, baby. You deserve all that and more. And if you feel guilty, don’t. Dean hasn’t gotten where he is by being kind. He also threatened you and wanted tobuyyour child.”

I nodded. “Yes, you’re right.” Dee knew me well; she knew I wore my heart on my sleeve and would never try to use anyone.

“You deserve the best in the world, baby, and so does this little boy.” She sighed, looking at her watch. “Ah no matter how much I want to stay, I need to go.”

I looked at mine too and almost jerked up. “Oh, yeah please go. I’ve got to be at Beaumont Enterprise in thirty minutes, anyway.”

She cuddled Timmy as I paid. After putting on my coat, we exited the warm restaurant, stepping out into the cold and already darkening streets.

“Don’t be a stranger, okay? Call me whenever and if it ever gets too much with the man, we’ll figure something out.”

She pulled me into one of her motherly hugs and I let it consume me, her kindness, her warmth, her love. I would not have made it without Dee.

“I love you, Dee.”

She pushed me back gently and detailed my face once more with concern. She brought her hand up and used her thumbpad to dry the tear that had escaped the corner of my eye.

“I love you too, sweet girl. Remember how good you are and never compromise.” She smiled and kissed my forehead. “Having you as a daughter would have been the most precious gift.”

I let out a tearless sob. That was probably the best compliment she could have ever given me.

I walked back toward the building, lost in my thoughts. I was excited to redecorate Timmy’s room. I was just thinking about the color scheme I picked when my path was blocked by a twitchy lanky man. His eyes darted all around him.

I sucked in a breath and took a step back, holding the stroller tighter in my hands. I didn’t need to know this man to know what he was. I’d met too many of them in my time living with Opal. He was a druggie.

“You Eddie’s chick?” he asked, taking a step toward me, his bloodshot eyes detailing my stupid, expensive clothes.

I looked around for help. “Take what you want. Please don’t hurt him.”

He looked down at the stroller and raised his upper lip in disgust, revealing his rotten teeth.

“I ain’t want your shit.” He shook his head.” I saw you with his brother. You go round uh?” He chuckled.

I remained frozen, my muscles tensed, ready to flee.

“You Opal?”

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