Page 176 of My Sweet Dollie, You Have to Love Me
His hands move, shaping the balloon into an animal. It looks something like a snake.
“I don’t want it! I don’t want anything from you!” Dollie yells, and I only wish she’d done that last time. “I hate it. It’s a stupid snake in a stupid room, and I hate it here!”
“Oh, that makes me sad. Maybe you’ll change your mind, huh? I’ll leave it here for you.” He places the rubber animal on the steps and leaves without another word.
“I can smell Christmas dinner,” Dollie says to me.
Christmas is over, I mouth silently.
“You’re bleeding.” She points.
I nod, feeling the red liquid on my thighs.
With the water lower here, it shows her more of my injuries.
“Ambrose?” She waits for me to look back at her. “Will you get my snake?”
My eyebrows pull down in confusion, but I do as she asks. It takes me a while, given my injuries.
Picking up the animal, I turn to see her smiling at me.
“You scared away the crocodile again. You’re so brave.”
I smile back at her, but it’s forced and not real, barely lifting my cheeks because they still hurt from where his blade carved into my face.
Tiny hands help pull me up onto the dresser, making me rush in my one-handed attempt because of how she clutches my shirt, lifts it, and I have nothing on underneath.
I hand her the snake and adjust my clothing.
“Shall we name him Lucky, after you?”
With a raised eyebrow, questioning why she still thinks that nickname is fitting for me.
But I am still here, which makes me lucky, to her, at least.
“Your cheeks are bleeding again.”
The sharp sting of the slap Colin gave me earlier pulled blood between my stitches. The smile I gave Dollie did more damage, but it was worth it.
My pain is worth it if it helps her feel better down here.
Her small, scared hand smoothes over the snake’s head and down his back.
“I’m sorry. You’re not a stupid snake. You’re a very nice snake, and I don’t hate you.”
She’s apologizing to an object without feelings—she’s done it before. Duggan, her dolls, and Mom’s ornaments have all received apologies at some point.
She’s just too innocent.
She needs protecting.
My pain is definitely worth that.
CHAPTER 42
Ambrose—present day
Istep up to my house. The back facet is still black and, though a little tatty these days, still appealing. The jarring pink paint job only ruins part of the front. I can’t see it from here, but it’s tormented me for the past two weeks.
