Addison sighed, and Charlotte heard running water in the background. “Are you two still fighting? What happened? I thought you were going to call her to smooth things over.”
Charlotte ran a hand over her face. “I was, but then she started saying all of these things about how I’m not happy with my life, and that’s why I’m criticizing hers.”
Addison exhaled. “You’re tough on her because she needs it. Savannah needs some structure and discipline, and there’s nothing wrong with trying to give her that.”
“Ad…”
“Hmm?”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Charlotte switched the phone to her other ear, and her stomach lurched. “Do you think I’m unhappy?”
Addison was quiet for so long that it made Charlotte wonder if the line had cut off. She lowered herself onto the floor, tucked her legs under her, and gripped the phone tighter. Before Addison could respond, the doors to the auditorium opened, and a vague silhouette appeared, with hunched shoulders and a hoodie pulled over her head. Charlotte squinted, and a few moments later, she recognized Annie Baker walking toward the stage, her movements sure and precise.
Inches away from the stage, she lifted her gaze and froze when she saw Charlotte sitting there.
“I’ve got to go,” Charlotte whispered. “There’s a student here. I’ll talk to you later.” With that, she rose to her feet and dusted herself off. “Hey, Annie. How are you?”
Annie’s eyes darted around, listless and unfocused. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, Ms. Ricker. I didn’t know anyone would be here.”
Charlotte smiled. “It’s okay. How’s summer school going?”
Annie sank into the nearest chair and buried her face in her hands. “Great. Other than the fact I don’t think I’m going to pass the seventh grade.”
Charlotte climbed off the stage and sat down next to Annie. She draped an arm over her shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t say that. You’re a smart kid, and I’ve seen how hard you work. You’ll get there.”
Annie lifted tear-stained eyes to Charlotte’s. “You really think so?”
Charlotte nodded, and her smile grew wider. “Absolutely. Here, why don’t I walk you to the parking lot, and you can tell me a little more about what’s bothering you?”
Together, they made their way outside, with Annie talking a million miles a minute. Once they reached the parking lot, and she spotted her foster mom getting out of a dusty, old, silver sedan, Annie grew quieter. Annie’s foster mom wore a wrinkled coat thrown over a pair of jeans with mud caked on the hem, and her hair was piled into a bun on top of her head.
When she reached them, Annie inched away and glanced at an unmarked spot in the distance. “Libby, you remember my drama teacher, Ms. Ricker.”
Libby stuck her hand out, and her purse slid down her arm. “Hi, Ms. Ricker. It’s so nice to see you again. Of course, I remember you. I loved last year’s production ofWicked.”
A flush crept up Charlotte’s neck and cheeks. “Thank you. I’m really glad you enjoyed it.”
“We both did. Didn’t we, sweetheart?”
Annie folded in on herself and said nothing.
Libby cleared her throat, and her smile faltered. “Well, anyway, I look forward to this year’s production. What are you doing this year?”
“It’s a surprise,” Charlotte replied, pausing to shift from one foot to the other. “You know, sometimes, we can get volunteersfrom the older classes to help out. I’m sure Annie would be perfect for the job.”
Poor kid.
She needed the distraction, and Charlotte had seen the way her eyes lit up and the spring in her step whenever she was in the auditorium.
While they stood in the middle of the parking lot making small talk, Charlotte couldn’t help but glance between Annie and her foster mom and wonder why they were leaning away from each other.
What kind of demons are the two of you battling?
Chapter Three
Huffing, Libby paused to reach for the badge around her neck. She used her card to swipe, and the door made a low beeping sound. Then, it clicked open, and she darted into the dimly lit hallway. On her way past, she stopped to swipe her card again, and it signed her in with a green light and another beep. At the end of the tile-floored hallway, it opened up to reveal a waiting room with plush chairs on either side, a single carpet in the center, and a circular-shaped desk that offered a bird’s-eye view of the space.
Libby set her bag down and her lip balm, a packet of wipes, and a travel-sized bottle of lotion fell out.
