Knowing that she worries about her brother breaks my heart. It reminds me of a sister I had long ago, and everything I tried to do to protect her, and it not being enough. I push the thoughts away before it has a chance to punch me in the gut and steal my breath.
I glance up to Misty and see tears in her eyes. I bring mine back to Brittney.
“I’m sure your brother has nothing to worry about during the night, especially with a big sister like you watching over him.”
Her eyes drop to her hands. “I know,” she mumbles so low I barely hear her. “I just like being with him.”
I drop my head farther so I can see her face better. “And I have no doubt he loves being with you. He’s very lucky to have a sister like you.”
Her smile is hesitant. “You really think so?”
I smile back at her. “I sure do.”
She leans her head to the side until her cheek rests against one of Jacob’s dangling legs. I get to my feet, and see Misty looking down at Brittney with undeniable love in her eyes.
Yes, it was definitely a good choice to place the kids with her and Derek. I have no doubt they’ll love and cherish them as if they were their own. It’s about time they have the care-free and pain-free childhood they should have had from the start.
I softly poke my finger in Jacob’s side. “And how are you doing, little man?” A smile forms around the thumb he has in his mouth before he pulls it out and gurgles out a giggle. I chuckle as drool drips from his mouth.
“They’re both such sweethearts, and Derek and I love them alread
y,” Misty says, pulling my eyes away from Jacob. “We can’t thank you enough for thinking of us to take care of them.”
“I’m glad it worked out for all of you. They couldn’t have ended up in more caring hands.”
Her smile is watery as she kisses the side of Jacob’s head. She gets a slobbery kiss on the cheek in return. I know I made the right choice when she doesn’t even bother to wipe her cheek.
“Anyway, I just wanted to thank you, since we haven’t had the chance yet. We’d love to have you over for dinner sometime. Derek wants to thank you himself.”
“There’s no need for thanks,” I tell her. “They need you and Derek as much as you both needed them.” I reach in my pocket and pull out my keys. “But I’d love to come to dinner sometime.”
“Wonderful. I’ll have Derek call and set a date and time.”
After nodding, I bend back down to Brittney. “You continue to take good care of your brother, okay?”
“Okay,” she says and smiles.
After goodbyes, the three make their way to Misty’s car, and I walk back to my office to close down for the day. Susan’s already gone, heading home where Remi will be.
At the reminder of the woman who should be leaving Malus tomorrow, but isn’t, I ball my hands into fists. Fuck Mick and his inability to get the parts he needs. Fuck the car for being an old foreign piece of shit. Fuck Gary Watters for being a twisted bastard of a father. And fuck Remi for tempting me to neglect my duty to a town I’ve dedicated my life to protecting.
Fuck it all to hell.
TROUBLE
JUDGE, EMO, AND I walk into the clearing. JW’s beside us marching a wide-eyed Gary Watters. Coming up to the only tree around, we stop once we’re under the low hanging branches. JW pushes Watters to his knees and we all take our places, surrounding him on all sides. It’s coming up on dusk, giving us just enough daylight to do what we need to do. We all stare down at the piece of shit, hatred darkening our eyes and acid running through our veins.
“Gary Watters,” Judge begins. “Do you have any last words?”
His eyes dart around, landing on each of us, before settling back on Judge.
“You’re all going to hell for what you’re about to do.” His voice shakes, giving away his fear.
“That may be so, but you’ll be there to greet us.”
The sweat gliding down Gary’s cheek quivers as he begins to shake. “You got no right to do this. You’re not the judge and executioner.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Gary,” Judge says calmly, but the deadly look in his eyes would sear anyone in its path. “I am the Judge, and we are the executioners. You knew the rules living in Malus, and the consequences behind breaking them. You set your own path to destruction.”