Page 16 of Defect
“So he’s laying low. My boy,” I smiled even though it pained me. I wanted to see him and give him a hug more than anything.
“It looks like he hasn’t bathed in days though. He’s been wearing the same clothes you bought him for almost a week in a row. Tomorrow, I’m bringing him some clothes to wear.”
“I’ll bring him some stuff too,” I blurted. I had nearly an entire closet full of clothes waiting for Malachi at my house. Whenever I had to do an emergency stop at his dad’s house, I took him to the store to get clothes but I had them stockpiled for whenever he needed them.
“I’m sure he’d love to see you.” She paused then said, “Solana have you started the foster parent application process?”
“Yes, I filled out the application. I need to turn it in and wait to hear from social services,” I told her. Amaris suggested last week that I begin the process of becoming a foster parent for the moment Malachi was removed from Vince’s home. That way he could legally be placed with me in the event that his birth mother couldn’t be located or was deemed unfit. I hopped on that idea so fast it made my head spin.
It was hard but I had to block off my natural empathetic tendencies toward all the defenseless children in the system. I wanted to help them all. I wanted to foster them all just so they’d have somewhere safe to lay their heads.
I had to concentrate on Malachi though.
If I could save him then I’d feel like I put something good into the universe. Something bright and beautiful and worth saving. That was Malachi. If I let his light get stamped out then the world would miss out. I was sure of it.
“Okay, great. His teacher is still filing reports of neglect daily and we’ve got a pretty substantial file dating back at least a month. I’ll meet with CPS next week, finally.”
“Really? That’s wonderful,” I perked up and grinned against the phone.
“It is but it’s just the start. Neglect takes longer to prove than something glaring like physical abuse. I just wanted to give you an update.” Amaris sighed softly and said, “How’s the yoga studio? I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to stop by lately.”
“It’s wonderful, sis. I can’t wait for you to come by. I got a massage table yesterday. I’m going to create a Reiki room in the back and offer sessions.”
“Girl, what the hell is Reiki?” She laughed a little but I could hear the genuine curiosity. Even though Amaris wasn’t on the same path as me, she never made me feel stupid for believing in something bigger than us that we couldn’t see but were connected to. Maybe I was a hippie. Maybe I was a flower child born in the wrong generation with a bohemian heart, but I felt a strong connection to the universe and the energy around me.
“It’s a way to heal people through energy. I’ve always been sensitive to other people’s energy so I’m putting it to good use. Reiki is essentially the art of helping transfer energy to people to jumpstart their bodies.”
“So…like a blood transfusion but with energy?” Amaris asked.
“Yeah. Kind of like that. You know how sometimes you just feel down and out and not at all like yourself? Or how sometimes you feel like it’s taking you too long to bounce back? Well, I can transfer or shift your energy around so that you feel better and more balanced.”
“You do that by talking to people, Solana. You’ve always been gifted in that way. I can have a conversation with you and leave feeling better than when I came to you.”
“That’s what Reiki is, essentially. It’s just done deliberately.”
“My little sister the sun child,” she was smiling. I heard it.
“Thanks for never thinking I was weird, Amaris. You have no idea how much you sheltered me when I was growing up.”
“Well, you were the most gentle spirit I’d ever seen so I figured it was my job to protect that in you. I didn’t want you becoming hard and jaded like everyone else in the world. Looks like I did my job as your big sister.”
“You definitely did and I love you for it. Now, let me get my ass home so I can go teach this yoga class at the studio.”
“Wait, didn’t you do a class at the college today?” Amaris quizzed. I nodded against the phone and pulled out of the parking lot.
“I did. Now I have to go do another at the studio. How do you think I keep my lights on? I’m cute but this face can’t pay the bills.”
“I’m proud of you, little sister.”
“Thanks,” I chirped. My chest blossomed with warmth hearing the pride in Amaris’ voice. We ended our call on a good note.
When I pulled off, I tried not to speed home. It was hard when I had bass-heavy rap thumping through my speakers. Something about rap soothed me. The vibrations of the boom relaxed me. It also made me want to drive faster.
I got home in no time. I won’t discuss whether I sped or not.
I rushed in the house and ran around like a crazy woman gathering things I’d need for my next class. I wanted to pass out literature about Reiki and all my papers were sitting on my bed. I tucked the stack of papers in my bag and then headed right back out the front door. I paused when I notice a moving truck parked in the driveway of the small house across the street from me. It had been vacant for years. The grass was often overgrown because it only got cut once every couple of months and it definitely needed some TLC. I opened the car door and tossed my things in then I stared across the street for a few extra seconds.
The sun was nearly blinding but I didn’t miss the tall, shirtless man who walked out of the now occupied house. He was so tall he had to bend down some to clear the doorway. I was stuck staring at him.
