Page 2 of Broken Prince

“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I fell.”

I looked up to Amy who looked at us with so much sorrow it cracked my heart open even more. I had to get him out of here.

“I’ll take you home as soon as I can, li’l man. I swear I will.”

“I know, Cassie. It’s okay. I’m okay here.”

No, you’re not. You’re miserable, but you’re trying to be strong for me when you shouldn’t have to,I thought. “I know but I miss having you with me so I want to get you back as soon as possible.” I forced a smile I hoped looked genuine. “Who’s supposed to help me sample brownies now, huh?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I’m sort of an expert.”

I chuckled. “Yes, you are.”

Amy sighed. “I’m sorry, guys, but Jude has to go back now.”

I looked up and she looked really crestfallen. I was sure she had a soft spot for Jude, but then again, who didn’t?

I nodded. “I’ll see you next week and we can video chat this week sometimes,” I said before throwing a quick look at Amy who nodded. She did that every week for us, using her own phone to allow Jude and I to talk for a few minutes. That woman really was a godsend and at least she helped us make this horrible situation just a little better.

“Love you to the moon and back,” he said, hugging me tightly again.

“Love you to the sun and back,” I replied, kissing the top of his head, already feeling the burn of my unshed tears at the back of my eyes.

After he left, Amy turned toward me.

“What really happened?” I asked, knowing full well that Jude’s bruise was not an accident.

She sighed, shaking her head. “Kids have been tough on him,” she admitted reluctantly. “Being related to…” She winced. “It’s a heavy cross to bear.”

“I know. I’m planning to change our name as soon as I can get him back.” I sat on one of the uncomfortable orange chairs lining the visitation room.

I knew I had to leave. There was no reason for me to still be here; the center was now closed to the public, but I just needed a few minutes.

A few minutes with someone who looked at me, not as an accomplice to the monsters my parents were, but as one of their victims.

“I’m just not convinced that day will ever come,” I admitted, and saying it out loud hurt more than I anticipated.

“So they refused to take you back, huh?” she asked, coming to sit beside me, gripping my hand in hers.

I nodded. “Yes, I can’t blame them though. The hospital had a hard time justifying my presence there and since nursing school kicked me out.” I shrugged. “What was the point of me working there anyway?”

“We can fight their decision, you know. I looked into it and they had no grounds for dismissing you.”

I shook my head. “What’s the point? No one wants me there. The students look at me like I am a monster, the teachers too. And even if I force it, I need hospital training and no hospital will offer that to me.”

“Yeah.” She nodded with resignation. “What about your living situation?”

“Still squatting on Mrs. Broussard’s futon.” I’d never been more grateful in my life. Mrs. Broussard had been working for my parents since I was five years old and when everything turned to shit, she’d been the only one offering me the helping hand I desperately needed despite her own children's advice. “I need to give her back her space and stop eating her food.” I looked heavenward. “Nobody is willing to hire me in this town but—” I looked at the door connected to the living quarters my little brother occupied. “I just can’t leave; he needs me.”

“You remember Ms. Lebowitz, don’t you?”

I looked at her with confusion at the change of subject. “The high school career counselor?”

She nodded. “She retired but I know she’s working part-time for the temp agency by the pharmacy.” Amy shrugged. “She always had a soft spot for her old students. Why don’t you go see her?”

Ms. Lebowitz had been an older lady, an eccentric hippy, but she’d always seen more than she let on. She had known even then that I'd been the one caring for Jude. She was the one who suggested nursing school after seeing my caring nature.

“I like her. It’s worth the shot.” I looked at my watch; it was much past the time and I didn’t need Amy to get into trouble and have Jude removed from her care due to her involvement with me. “What about Jude and his bruises?”

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