Page 30 of Cain
“You didn’t deserve what happened to you. I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Faith.”
I feel nothing. Or maybe everything all at once, sealed behind a wall I built brick by brick in that freezing jail cell, and before that in an emergency room, and before that in a foster home, and before that…
“Ah…is there more?” I get up. “I have to get back to work. My boss will…ah…wonder.”
Ricky won’t wonder or give a shit. He trusts me now. These past weeks I’ve been working for him, he says have been the cleanest Nectar has been and he’s made me promise that I won’t leave before I train a successor.
The Sheriff rises as well. “Do you need any help?”
This surprises me. “Huh?”
She smiles sadly. “Can I help you in any way?”
I frown and give a slight shake of my head.
I feel like I have all the help I need, the help I’m allowing myself to accept, to be grateful for.
Georgia, Ricky, Onyx, who works the bar, and Misty one of the strippers, help me by treating me with respect. Well, Ricky tries but he’s gonna always look at a woman’s tits before he’ll see her face. That’s who he is.
“Faith, don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t look well.”
You should’ve seen me a few weeks ago. Death warmed over looked better than me.
“I’m getting over a cold.”
She steps closer. “Don’t you want to know who stole the money?”
I raised a shoulder in response. “Uh…does it matter?”
“Someone framed you, Faith,” she reveals gently.
“Sheriff, I…don’t know what you want from me.” I’m feeling tired again. It happens a lot lately when I talk to people. I prefer to be alone. I prefer to not use my voice.
She hesitates, then says, “Georgia mentioned you want to leave Silverton. If you want, I can give you some money. To help you get there. You shouldn’t be stuck here.”
My eyes snap to hers.
“No, thank you,” I say. “I can take care of myself. And…honestly, not sure why you’re offering. Are you testing me?”
That must be it. She’s doing all this to trap me somehow.
She looks horrified. “I’m not, Faith. This is a genuine offer of help.”
Oh, yeah, I’veneverheardthatbefore!
“I’m fine. Thank you.” I use my prim voice, the one I use instead of sayingfuck you.
Her face falls, just a little. She nods, like she understands. “Trust is luxury, isn’t it, Faith?”
Air stalls in my throat at her words. “Yes,” I reply softly, once I get my bearings. “It’s an expensive commodity. And I’m flat broke.”
13
THE TRUTH YOU BURIED
CAIN
When Lo calls and asks me to get my ass to the county substation, I don’t question it. I have a feeling I won’t like the answer. I’m afraid she’ll tell me that Faithisguilty. But if that’s the case, I’ve already decided not to press charges.
