Completely exhausted, I don’t bother putting up a fight and do as she says.
I watch as Martha puts some ice in a Ziploc bag before wrapping it in a towel. She brings it over to me and presses it to my cheek.
“Thank you,” I tell her as I grab hold of it.
“You’re welcome. Want to tell me what happened?” Martha asks as she sits.
Blowing out a breath, I give her a quick recap of the visit. I even admit that I think Carol might have an abusive streak and tell her why. By the time I’m done talking, my throat is dry and scratchy.
Shit, I could go for some water right about now, but my water bottle is with my things in another room.
Martha drums her fingers on the table as she thinks about what I’ve told her. “Well, we will report it, and I’m sure the judge will have someone ask Shelby about your suspicions. Do you think she will admit it if it’s true?”
“Possibly. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t seem like Shelby is in a rush to be reunited with her mom.”
“I hate that,” Martha mutters.
“Me too.”
“How about you head out of here? You’ve had a long day.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, now go before I change my mind.”
“If it’s all right with you, I want to stop and check on Shelby first.”
“That right there, girlie pop, is why you will be fantastic at this job.”
Ducking my head, I smile. “Thanks for the ice.”
“Anytime, just don’t make a habit of needing it.”
Shaking my head, I leave the break room and go in search of the ten-year-old girl who appears so much older than she actually is.
“Hey, I’ve been looking for you. Are you okay?” I ask softly as I lean against the doorframe.
Shelby looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “She hit you.”
Dammit, I was really hoping that she didn’t see that. I could lie, but I won’t. I can’t if I want her to trust me.
“She did.”
“I’m sorry,” Shelby sobs.
Unable to handle it anymore, I go to her and pull her into my arms. “You know that her actions are not your fault, right? What your mother does has nothing to do with you and everything to do with her, okay?”
“But…”
I shake my head and cut in before she can give me some sort of excuse. “No excuses. I’m serious. Your mother’s actions are hers and hers alone. You can’t control another human and what they do.”
Shelby pulls away and wipes the tears off of her face. “I don’t like her.”
I don’t like her either, but I can’t tell her that.
“You have a right to feel that way.”
“I wish I knew who my dad was,” she says, breaking my heart.
