Page 108 of Filthy Liar

More cheers calmed me, and Raven gave me a thumbs up when I glanced in her direction. She was grinning wide, boosting my confidence more.

“As many of you have seen, the new addition of the community center has also given us a much needed playground for children, a laundromat and bathroom to those without power or running water, and new technology for students or people who are trying to find employment. This is life-changing to a lot of families in the area, and I am personally honored to have had a part in it. I know we can all be wary when people come into our town and start making changes, but I truly believe we have hit the jackpot. As someone who grew up in this town and struggled with putting food on the table or keeping the lights on, it makes me proud to see us all coming together today to celebrate the start of change. I invite you to drop in whenever you want just for some company, a cup of coffee, or to use any of the services provided. I will be here from nine AM until five PM, Monday to Friday, and Logan will be around alongside me to bring some assistance to our youth. Hopefully, if the government and local council see the changes causing positivity, they will invest in us more.”

Logan nudged me, and I hesitated before stepping to the side so he could speak. He wasn’t supposed to say anything, and it was risky letting him have the floor like this.

Slash shot me a look of warning, but Logan knew how important today was. He wouldn’t ruin it.

“I’d also like to thank Slash and his family for providing these things for our community. They have become really good friends of ours lately, proving that they have our backs again and again. If you want more youth programs for our town, please stop by and hang out to show that it’s beneficial to us all. We have pool tables, dart boards, and other fun activities for teens to just hang out, and if you just need somewhere to study or to find new friends, you’ll find that here too. Come to us for anything, and we will help in any way we can if it’s within our power.”

I was so glad he added that last bit. I knew not to make promises, but he hadn’t had that drilled into his head all week like me.

He let me have the microphone again, and I cleared my throat to continue what I’d been saying. “If there are things you think the community needs, bring your ideas and concerns to me. We might not be able to make changes instantly, but I can bring them to the council and advocate on your behalf. As of right now, we have both male and female staff who you can speak to, whether it's about domestic violence, sexual health, addiction, or even just to check in. If you have any questions about the services, please raise your hand and I’ll answer as many questions as I can.”

Hands shot up everywhere, my stomach twisting with anxiety all over again.

I pointed to a kid in the front who looked to be no older than nine, his voice firm. “Does this mean social workers will be in the community more? We struggle, but we get by. Why should I have to lose my home because these people think we can’t manage on our own?”

“Good question. This won’t change child services. We are hoping that providing these services will ease the strain on families, and will help children be fed and clean. If you are struggling and need help, coming to me won’t result in a call to get you removed. I grew up avoiding child protection services, sheltering Raven and Logan as best as I could from their radar. I know what it’s like to go hungry just so they were fed, and I promise you that I have no intention of having children removed from their homes.”

“What if they want to get removed?” someone called out, and I scanned the crowd but couldn’t see who spoke.

“If you have concerns for your safety, my door is always open. We can work closely alongside foster homes to ensure anyone who does need somewhere to go is looked after. All homes are regularly inspected and careers are vetted to the max. We don’t want anyone taken out of a bad home, just to be placed in another one.”

One woman scowled, her voice irritated as she stepped forward. “I heard you called CPS and the cops on Viktor Mathers. That doesn’t sound like you mind your own business. Your mother told me all about it.”

Murmurs went around the crowd, but we’d prepared for this.

“As someone who grew up being constantly let down by my mother, starving while she ran off to get high, I know just as much as anyone how terrible some parents can be. I grew up seeing my friends beaten and abused, and I couldn’t stop it. If you are an addict who is struggling to put your children first, this is a safe place for you to ask for help. If you have anger issues and are hurting your child or partner, we have services here to help you too. Yes, I called the cops on Viktor. He was beating his children, and Lara, who is only a baby, ended up with a broken arm because of it. That’s no life for a child, and I will advocate for them to ensure they have a better upbringing than me or my friends. Frank and Lara have been given a second chance, and for kids like Frank, who have been an adult their whole lives, this is a huge change for them. Access to education, food, and they just get to be a kid.”

“You bailed on your mother. Why didn’t you help her?” the woman spat, my heart starting to beat harder. I’d been having an internal battle about Mom since she’d passed, but I knew I couldn’t blame myself.

“Why are you angry that I stopped giving her the time of day, but you aren’t angry that kids like me sit in the window waiting for a parent to come home that never do? She bailed on me from day one, leaving me in my own filth to starve. That should be what you’re angry about, not at a kid who finally realized their parent would never change. I loved my mom, I always will, but she was an addict who refused to get help. I stuck by her my whole life, but she didn’t respect me or my boundaries. I walked away from her for my own sake, and I did nothing wrong in doing so.”

Someone cursed so quietly close by that I barely heard it, but then Frank was pushing me out of the way and reaching for the microphone. Rory appeared with an apologetic look on her face, but I shook my head and let him talk.

This was what the community center was supposed to be. A safe place for people to vent.

“Isla Barron was an awful person, just like my dad,” Frank said, the speakers crackling at how loud he’d spoken. “Dad would hurt Lara for crying whenever he was home, which wasn’t often, and was saying horrible things about what money he could make off her in a few years. I was so mad at Reid when he called the cops, but I’m grateful for it now. The Donovans took me in, and their friend has decided to adopt both me and Lara.”

I didn’t know they’d decided to adopt them, and I glanced at Rory to find her smiling.

She acted like him running over her was a mistake, but I’d bet money on her allowing it to happen.

“I get to go to school, and I don’t have to worry about how I can find money to feed my sister anymore. She’s safe when I’m with friends or at school, which means I can get a better job in the future. I know we’ve always been wary of the crews around here, but Rory saved us. They’re actually the best people ever, and I really hope people see that. No one had to step in and help the community, but they did anyway. Even if they stopped today, they’ve given us a place to go when we need help, and they’ve handed it over to Reid and Logan, who can actually understand your concerns and troubles. Bad people don’t do things like that.”

He looked back at me and I nodded, wanting him to know I was supporting what he said.

“Thanks, Frank,” I said as he motioned for me to speak again, but he stayed next to me. “Like Frank said, Rory has been an asset to children’s safety. Did you know they’ve taken in hundreds of children over the years? They drop everything for a struggling kid, and that’s the kind of people we want helping us. We lost our home recently, and they’ve helped us every step of the way.”

“We don’t need their money!” someone shouted, a few mumbling their agreement.

“No one is forcing you to ask for help. Feel free to continue on with your lives as if this never happened, but don’t sabotage someone else’s future who wants the help,” I warned, motioning to Rory. “Thanks to Rory and her family, Logan and I have jobs. Raven is attending college next year to chase her dream of teaching. With their help, we can put pressure on the government to give us a better education system here too. Don’t you want your children to be taught by adults who have had a police check? Who actually teach? Our kids suffer here, and it destroys their chances of a good future.”

“You just took a handout and owe them. You’re too blind to see it,” the woman from earlier called out. “Zavier’s wearing their jacket now too. Do you really think we want our kids joining gangs?”

“Your kids are already joining gangs,” I said calmly, motioning around the crowd. “You remember Raven’s brother, right? Josh died when he was twelve because he was trying to make money within a local gang. Those gangs were the cause of so many deaths, but the crew system changed that. Zavier has joined the Psychos, yes, but how is that any different than the way of life we already have? They keep other gangs out of our town, which keeps our children and women safe from human trafficking. They don’t allow children to join, they don’t condone child substance abuse or sexual abuse, and they stand up for those who don’t have a voice. You and the rest of the world might see a bunch of dangerous felons, but if you took the time to get to know them, you’d see them for what they really are. They’re just a family trying to help. I guarantee if you called them for help, they’d show up for you. If you have concerns about anything, please come and find me inside so we can talk more. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll find one for you. If you want to know why they give a shit about us, ask them. We asked questions, and we discovered that Rory spent most of her late childhood here, struggling just like the rest of us. She gets it, and she doesn’t want the cycle to continue. It starts with us, and it ends with us. We can change our futures, we just have to try.”

Frank was grinning, and when Slash offered me the scissors to cut the ribbon, I took them and spoke again. “Today marks the start of change, and it’s my honor to let Frank cut this ribbon and officially open the Hawthorne Heights Community Center.”

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