Page 14 of Tinley's Daddy
Stay in bed, Tinley.
It was what normal people did. They would much prefer a big, soft, fluffy bed over a corner on the floor like a dog.
I blinked away tears and lay back down. I forced myself to close my eyes. Random faces popped into my brain. My eyes opened. Not random. I knew those faces. And they knew me.
I let a few tears fall. Another activity I wouldn’t allow while with them. No laughing, no crying, pity, or frustration.
Anger. That I let them see. They didn’t like anger, except that one guy. I rubbed the permanent knot on the left side of my head. I ran my hands through my hair. The glued-in extensions were matted and tangled. I yanked on a couple to separate them. I gave up and sat up.
Maybe I’d just go sit in the corner for a minute. Until I got tired. I gathered my blanket and two pillows and padded across the floor.
I laid one pillow on the ground and the other pillow crossways near the wall. I kneeled on the pillow and curled up on my side, hugging the pillow below me. I yawned and my eyes closed.
I’ll just keep them closed for a minute.
I yawned and inhaled. I confirmed the smell when Josh’s clean scent hit me. I settled further into my nest and drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 5
JOSH
Isat up, rubbed my shoulder, and groaned. I was too old to be sleeping on the floor. I sat up and stretched. The tightness in my shoulder screamed before working itself out. I blinked and stared over at the bed.
My heart raced.
She was gone. I pulled myself up. Took a step and tripped over the coffee table and banged my ankle.
“Fuck.”
I small gasp drew my attention.
My little houseguest was curled up in a corner, under blankets, her head covered. Her eyes were visible in a small slit in her little fort.
“Hey.” I sat on the edge of the bed and examined the knot forming on the ball of my ankle bone. “I’m sorry to wake you. I thought you had left.”
She peeked out of the covers again and sat up.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I wasn’t asleep.” She rubbed her eyes and yawned with a stretch.
She spoke. My eyes grew wide, but I looked away. I didn’t think she realized.
I checked the time. It was 8:00 a.m.
“Was the bed not comfortable?” I bounced on it before standing up. I tested my ankle. It was sore.
“You okay?” Her gaze fell to my feet.
“Oh, yeah.” I circled my ankle and took a few steps toward her. I squatted to get to her level but kept my distance.
“Why didn’t you sleep?”
She stared behind me at the door.
“You are perfectly safe here with me. I made you a promise, remember?”
“You always keep your promises?” She untangled herself from the blanket. It took some effort.
“I do.” The position was hard on my ankle. I stood and sat on the edge of the coffee table. “What kind of people are we if we don’t keep our word to each other?”
