I chuckled and held up both hands. “I promise, no tucking. I’ll be downstairs if you guys need me.”
I couldn’t resist leaving the door open a crack so I could hear Lyla if she cried or Justin if he had a nightmare. I quietly made my way down the steps to the living area. It was a disaster. Blankets and pillows. Pizza boxes and paper towels. I wrapped up the leftovers, put them in the fridge, and then stacked the boxes with the recycling.
As I moved to fold the blankets, my gaze caught on a figure at the bottom of the stairs. “What’s wrong, Jus? Can’t sleep?”
He looked down at his hands, his fingers twisted together. “I lied.”
“Okay. Why don’t you come over here and tell me what you lied about? We can figure it out together.” I sank onto the couch and patted the seat next to me.
He slowly made his way over and sat. But he stayed quiet. I didn’t say a word, giving him whatever time he needed to find his words. He studied his twining fingers. “Grandpa hit me. Just once. Right before we came here. He was mad about peewee football and said I talked back.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “Did your mom see?”
He shook his head. “No one did. I didn’t tell her. I didn’t know what to say.”
I took Justin’s hands in mine, bending down so he could see my face. “I’m so sorry that happened. It wasn’t your fault. Your grandfather is a sick man who doesn’t know what to do with his anger.”
Tears welled in Justin’s eyes. “We can’t live with them. It would be so bad.”
“You won’t.” My words held a finality that had a bit of hope flaring to life in Justin’s eyes. “I will do whatever it takes. But you are not going to live with them.”
He tugged his hands from mine and threw his arms around me. “Thank you.”
“Love you, Jus.”
“Love you, too,” he mumbled as he released me.
“Think you’ll be able to sleep?”
He nodded.
I waited thirty minutes and then tiptoed upstairs. Justin and Lyla were both dead to the world. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and hit the first contact on my favorites list. Kennedy answered on the second ring.
“Is everything okay?”
I normally didn’t call her this late unless we’d had an incident at the shelter. “Everything’s fine.” Lies. “I just need to run out for a minute and wondered if you could come over to be with the kids. They’re asleep, but—”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
God, I didn’t deserve Kennedy. But I was so grateful I had her. “Thank you.”
“See you soon.” She hung up without another word.
I paced the small room, straightening blankets and putting everything back into its correct place. I straightened the box on the coffee table where I put the remotes and other odds and ends, adjusting it until it was at the perfect ninety-degree angle. Then I moved on to the kitchen. I wiped down every surface, paying special attention to a spot where some pizza sauce had landed. I scrubbed until long after it had disappeared.
A soft knock sounded at the door. I hurried to open it. Kennedy stood there with a small bag slung over her shoulder.
I ushered her inside. “Thanks again for coming. I’m so sorry I had to make you come all the way back here and—”
“Anna,” she cut me off. “I’m glad you called. I’ve leaned on you so much over the years, but I think this is the first time you’ve actually asked me for help. I’m glad you trust me enough to watch them.”
I swallowed against the burn at the back of my throat. “I’m not used to leaning on others.”
“I know. But you’ll get there eventually, and we’ll all be here when you do.” She inclined her head to the sponge in my hands. “Stress cleaning?”
My mouth wanted to curve into a smile, but I couldn’t quite get it there. Justin’s words still echoed in my mind. “You know me. I like to take out my anxiety on any surface.”
Kenz reached out and squeezed my hand. “You’re going to get through this.”
