Page 3 of Goose

Sawyer nodded. “Mama was lining up a lawyer and everything. Then she had her accident and well...”

Bambi just nodded. Sawyer turned his attention to the tub and turned off the water. “Thank you, Sawyer.”

“I’ll uh... I’ll just wait in your room. When is your pop coming home?”

Bambi shrugged. “He took off for the casinos so probably not for a week or two. He’s always gone long when he’s gambling.”

Sawyer nodded and closed the bathroom door. He turned to the kitchen and got some cleaning supplies. Going back into Bambi’s room, he cleaned up the blood from the walls and made her bed. Then he headed back out and cleaned the rest of the small trailer.

An hour later, Bambi emerged with a dingy white towel wrapped around her. A blush crept across her face when she and Sawyer made eye contact.

Bambi rushed to her room and came out five minutes later. She was dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top. Her hot pink bra straps stood out against the stark white tank. Bambi’s blonde hair was still wet and came down to just above her butt.

She looked around and turned to Sawyer. “You cleaned?”

He just stood there and nodded.

“You cleaned my Daddy’s mess? My blood?”

Sawyer nodded again.

“Why?”

“Because that’s how my Mama and Pop raised me. And that’s how I’ll always treat you, Bambi.”

She just stood there in shock. “You cleaned?”

Sawyer laughed and came closer to her. He gently placed his finger under her chin and raised her head up to look at him.

“Yes. I cleaned all of this up and even boarded up the broken window. You never have to do this alone. I’m going to protect you from now on, angel.”

Bambi just shook her head. “But why, Sawyer? Why me?”

Sawyer just shrugged his shoulders. “Because that’s what friends do. You’re my best friend, Bambi, and I don’t want you to be alone ever again. Just like my Pop takes care of my Mama, that’s what I want to do for you.”

“That’s awfully nice of you.”

Sawyer smiled, “I just got this feeling about you, Bambi. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let you go. I know Levi and Silas are my best friends, but I want you too. And the feelings I have for you are just... different.”

I blushed as he took my hand in his.

“Now let’s get you to my house, otherwise Mama is gonna whoop my ass for being late to dinner. My Pop will bring you home and we’ll keep an eye on you. And I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life. You’ll never have to be alone again.”

---