“If they find out, it won’t be from me,” I promise. “As long as you and I can come to an arrangement.”
Mama’s eyes harden as she rolls her shoulders back and stands taller. “Are you trying to blackmail me, Zoe?” she asks incredulously.
I quickly shake my head. “Not at all. I just think this is a good time to set the record straight,” I answer in a tone that matches hers. “If you ever feel Grayson needs punishment again, you come to me. You don’t fucking touch him, especially not for something he did tome.”
Letting out a loud cackle, Mama places her hand on my arm and gently squeezes it. “I knew I liked you,” she says. “You have my promise.”
“Then you have mine,” I say just as the elevator dings and the doors open.
While weaving us through the maze of corridors, Mama tells me about the tradition of coming here. “We usually try to make the rounds at Christmas as well,” she eagerly tells me. “No one goes for bike rides in December, though. But if you stick around, you’ll get to see the big, burly guys fold their bodies into small plastic chairs and entertain the kids.”
I snort at the ridiculous mental image that pops into my head. “What? You’re telling me they actually play with the kids?”
Mama sniggers. “Yes, actually. Slayer and Slasher have had some epic action man fights, and Gunner has a knack for drawing butterflies. I know it’s hard to believe, but this is something they take seriously.”
As I listen to her, my view of the club shifts ever so slightly. This is a really good thing they’re doing, which is probably why I had to see it with my own eyes to believe it.
My heart aches as we reach our destination, and I read the sign above the door. This isn’t just sick kids, this is the burn unit. The motherfucking burn unit.
At the nurses’ station, the ward nurse tells us that thestuffis already inside. Then she escorts us into a common area where several large plastic bags are stashed in the corner.
“I-is this all from you guys?” I ask on a gasp.
Mama nods. “Yep. We couldn’t bring as much as we did for Christmas since… well, it doesn’t matter why. But most of these things are donations from the local shops.”
I don’t need her to spell out what she’s trying hard not to say. My dad stealing from them is hurting the kids. I fist my hands. For the first time, I’m angry with him for betraying them. Okay, so I’ve been upset before, but only because of how it affected me. This time it’s for what he’s taken from these kids.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I’m so fucking sorry for what my dad did.”
Mama comes to a stop and turns around so she can look at me. “Your dad’s sins aren’t yours, Zoe. You have nothing to apologize for.”
I nod reluctantly while biting down on my lip. I’m not entirely sure I agree. Obviously, I’m not the one who stole the money, but I’m still guilty of my own sins. I never knew Santa Cruz has a burn unit, which, according to Mama, is relatively new. But still. I could have spent a measly few hours volunteering here. Hell, I could have donated things and money. So at the very least, I’m guilty of being stuck up.
We each grab a bag and, since they’re too heavy to lift, we drag them with us. Since there are two of us, Mama suggests we split up. She’ll start at the bottom, and suggests I start from the top. Doing as she says, I walk into the first ward.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greets me. Four girls are sitting up in their beds, wearing eager smiles as they wave at me.
“Are you the lady with the presents?” a brunette with a cute upturned nose asks me.
“It’s present time,” another giggles.
Looking at the kids, I have to swallow down my emotions. One of them has bandages covering half her face, and another is hooked up to a machine, barely able to move. It’s clear they’re in varying degrees of recovery. Despite that, they’re all smiling and laughing. Fuck, they’re so strong.
“Hey guys, I’m Zoe. Who wants to pick first?” I ask as I drag the bag to the middle of the room.
The eldest looking girl sits straighter on her bed. “I’m Emilie, and I go first because I’m the oldest.” She points at the girl next to her. “That’s Debbie, and she’s second. Opposite Debbie is Zilla, she’s the third—”
“Then it’s me,” says the one with the upturned nose. “And I’m Laura.”
I nod, so awestruck I can’t find my words. The pity I’ve felt for myself is being challenged big time. I don’t know these girls’ stories, and I don’t need to in order for me to see their strength. They’re so happy. They’ve been fucking burned, scarred for life. Yet they sit here with big smiles and excitement in their little voices.
Yep, I can definitely learn something from them.
I barely notice the hours passing by as I visit room after room. The kids have completely captured my focus and ensnared my heart. Especially Zilla and a little boy from the previous room. Both of them are so full of life it’s hard not to get caught up in their childish glee.
When Mama finds me and announces it’s time to leave, I almost protest. I don’t care about the Cruz Kings’ BBQ. If it was up to me, I’d stay here and play games all day long. Sadly, it’s not my choice, though. Nope. Not going there. I promised myself to stop my mental pity parties and victim casting. If these kids can find joy despite some having burns on eighty percent of their body, then so can I.
When we get outside, Grayson and Rocco are the only ones waiting for us. All the others have already left to go back to the club.
