Page 27 of All Twisted Up
His brows drew together. “I have some time.” He sipped his tea.
I didn’t know why this man’s interest in my family should matter, but he was a government official. Lying to him about anything considering where I’d been found this morning, might just open us up to a whole new CPS case and I couldn’t have that. These kids had been through too much.
“I’m going to tell you everything because the last thing I need is for you to think I’m a danger to my family.”
“Why would you say that?” He was frowning.
“Because of where you found me this morning. I want to reiterate that I was there with my friend, not to score drugs for myself. I guess you could say I was watching out for him. Like I told you, I don’t do drugs, so if you want to test me or whatever, that’s fine, but I can’t—” I felt a lump forming in my throat and an unmistakable sting at the back of my eyes. “I can’t lose those kids to the foster care system again.”
His eyes were kind as he slowly shook his head. “I’m not going to let that happen and for what it’s worth, I believe you about what happened with Billy.”
The patio door slid open and the sound of running feet followed by the little yip of the dog reached us.
“Joshua!” Pete called, running into the room. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Agent Hampstead. “Oh, who are you?” He walked over as the agent got up from the couch and held out a hand.
“Hi there. I’m Nash.”
“I’m Pete and this is our new puppy, Garbanzo.” He picked up the little black and white puppy and cuddled him close.
“Pete! Where’s Garbanzo?” Meggie came charging into the room, stopping short as she looked up at the tall agent. As she read the letters on his shirt, the expression of worry on her face was immediate. I stood and held out my arms and she flew into them, burying her little face in my stomach. Pete walked over and put a hand on his sister’s back.
“Don’t worry, Meggie. He’s only here to talk to me. You don’t have to worry.”
I squatted in front of her, speaking quietly around the lump in my throat. Her reaction to anyone who resembled law enforcement was heartbreaking. She was panting and perspiring from playing in the yard and her eyes were filled with tears, ready to overflow. “Listen, sweetie, Bruno is going to come over in a little bit with some empanadas. Why don’t you go and take a bath before dinner? Tell Barbie that your stinky brother needs one too, okay?”
She nodded, searching my face with wide eyes as her lower lip quivered. “W-what about Garbanzo?”
I smiled at her. “You named him Garbanzo?”
“Pete picked it because calling a puppy Dog is just dumb.”
I laughed. “Why Garbanzo?”
“My friend, Adam, has a lizard called Garbanzo,” Pete said. “He’s little like the puppy.” He twisted back and forth, holding the puppy.
“Well, it’s a very nice name, Pete.” I reached out to ruffle his hair before looking at my hand. “Eww. Look at my hand. You’re all sweaty. Go take a bath and change your clothes before dinner. The puppy can wait for you two in your bedroom if you want him to.”
“Garbanzo! His name is Garbanzo,” Meggie corrected me.
I smiled before leaning in and giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Okay, I won’t forget anymore. Go and take your baths, stinky butts.”
“Okay,” Meggie said. She eyeballed Agent Hampstead. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“Meggie—”
“I understand you’re having empanadas,” he said, grinning at her. “You know those are just about my favorite thing in the whole wide world? I like them better than oatmeal.” He made a horrified face.
She smiled. It was tiny and fleeting, but seeing her thaw with him a little did my heart good. “Well, I guess you can stay then.” She didn’t wait for a reply before charging out of the room, hot on Pete’s heels.
“They’re really adorable,” Agent Hampstead said, glancing at me. I motioned for him to retake his seat and sat on the couch across from him. “Anyway, you were saying something about your family.”
“I finally have sole custody of them, and it hasn’t been easy to get it. I stay away from bad influences because nothing is more important to me than those kids. Keeping our family together is the only thing keeping Barbie and I sane.”
“If you don’t mind my asking…howdidthey become your responsibility? Where’s your mom?”
“Last I heard, she’s down in Texas, a resident of FDC Houston, serving twenty-five years to life for drug trafficking.”
The agent’s eyes widened. “What?”
