Angela put the papers down to work a kink out of her neck. She checked her phone for the time. Her stomach loudly declared its hunger while she stood and stretched. It wasn’t the first time she’d thought of food, but she’d exhausted her snacks on the trip. The thought of going out there, eating Eric’s food—if there was any to be had—while being judged by the social worker and those kids… she’d rather stay in here. At least she knew which kid was which, now. Her eyes glanced off the last words she’d read, and Angela flipped back through the pages until she found the shift reports Eric filed. Then she found his account of touching the girl’s blood.
It was hot and still in here, but Angela’s arms were covered in goose bumps. Angela shoved the window open for some air. Almost instantly, a firm, hand rapped on the door. Joanne was on the other side. She smiled thinly.
“I’m so glad you’ve been able to get some rest. Would you like to join us for dinner?” The scent of alfredo infiltrated the room from behind Joanne. Angela endured another fit from her stomach before she could answer.
“I’m… not hungry.” Joanne gave her another tight-lipped smile.
“I understand. I’m so glad you’ve made yourself at home. If you’re getting warm, feel free to leave the door open.” The invitation came paired with a look that made it clear it wasn’t an invitation at all. Angela stared into space after Joanne walked away. She was still staring when Joe, the blonde, leaned over into her sight. He smiled at her.
“Chicken and broccoli?” For a moment, Angela hesitated, but she couldn’t remember why. She was starving. She joined the other three at the table. Joanne’s glare was something to behold, but Joanne seemed to be the glaring type. At least she cooked a good meal. The children told Angela about their hobbies, their studies, their thoughts on Alaska. They teased her about igloos and penguins. She teased them about backwoods Maine kids, and promised to show them a video of the aurora one of her coworkers filmed. Throughout it all, Joanne stared.
Eric’s family needed him. These kids, good kids, missed their dad. Angela ached with their hunger for their father, for a parent. After they’d worked together to clean up from dinner, Angela settled in Eric’s room again. She slid the box of papers behind the bed, out of sight of the door; then she settled against the headboard to read.
It was hot and still in here, but Angela’s arms were covered in goose bumps. Angela shoved the window open for some air. Almost instantly, a firm, hand rapped on the door. Joanne was on the other side. She smiled thinly.
“I’m so glad you’ve been able to get some rest. Would you like to join us for dinner?” The scent of alfredo infiltrated the room from behind Joanne. Angela endured another fit from her stomach before she could answer.
“I’m… not hungry.” Joanne gave her another tight-lipped smile.
“I understand. I’m so glad you’ve made yourself at home. If you’re getting warm, feel free to leave the door open.” The invitation came paired with a look that made it clear it wasn’t an invitation at all. Angela stared into space after Joanne walked away. She was still staring when Joe, the blonde, leaned over into her sight. He smiled at her.
“Chicken and broccoli?” For a moment, Angela hesitated, but she couldn’t remember why. She was starving. She joined the other three at the table. Joanne’s glare was something to behold, but Joanne seemed to be the glaring type. At least she cooked a good meal. The children told Angela about their hobbies, their studies, their thoughts on Alaska. They teased her about igloos and penguins. She teased them about backwoods Maine kids, and promised to show them a video of the aurora one of her coworkers filmed. Throughout it all, Joanne stared.
Eric’s family needed him. These kids, good kids, missed their dad. Angela ached with their hunger for their father, for a parent. After they’d worked together to clean up from dinner, Angela settled in Eric’s room again. She slid the box of papers behind the bed, out of sight of the door; then she settled against the headboard to read.
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