“What are you doing?”
“None of your fucking business.”
“Bryant, I won’t allow you to speak to me like this. I love you, son, and I want to help you.”
Bryant rolled his eyes.
“I can’t get up.” He stated.
Dr. Jones immediately went over to help him. He dodged old, empty boxes of delivery food and spilled coffee, beer, and soda bottles.
“This place is a mess.”
“Yeah, well I gave the maid the year off.”
Dr. Jones helped his son sit up.
“That’s all I needed. I got a bad Charlie Horse. I was lying there for a while just thinking about how this all sucks.”
“Well, maybe a cleaning person is what you need. You know, to just tidy up after you.”
“I don’t fucking think so and don’t send Mom or the fathers over either. Oh and fucking forget about Quinn, Blake, or Kenny.”
“We just want to help you.”
“You ca
n help me by closing the fucking door on your way out.”
* * * *
Abigail knew immediately that the young girl was not a teenager but a young woman. She was stunning, and Doc had been right, her eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. When he said aqua-blue, Doc wasn’t kidding. Getting her to talk a little took some finagling, but Abigail was successful, and Lena was grateful for the hospitality. She could tell that the young woman was on guard and careful not to divulge where she came from or personal information on her.
“Your husband is very kind. I wasn’t sure what to expect when he didn’t call the police and report me but instead left food and blankets for me,” Lena told her.
“Yeah, Doc is a special man with a real big heart. He loves helping people. I’m glad he’s been helping you. He was concerned since the night he found you by the garbage pails.”
Lena looked a little embarrassed, and Abigail wished she had thought that sentence through before she spoke it out loud.
“The summer months are a lot nicer to stay outdoors than the winters. I would have been fine wherever I settled for the night. I wouldn’t stay too far in those fields or woods. I don’t know anything about the wildlife around Texas.”
“Yeah, I figured as much with that accent of yours. It’s smart that you stayed out of the fields. We have a lot of poisonous snakes, spiders, and animals that venture out at night. We’ll see what we can do to help find you better sleeping arrangements.” Abigail gave Lena some privacy.
* * * *
Dr. Jones was shocked to finally meet the teenager behind the big, bulky hooded sweatshirt.
“Doc, meet Lena,” Abigail stated as Lena walked out of the back room accompanied by Abigail.
Lena was not a teenager at all. She was a gorgeous young woman. Her long, black hair was as dark and shiny as onyx. It had waves of curls that fell past her shoulders and nearly to the center of her back.
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she, Pete?” Abigail stated with a huge smile as Lena lowered her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her. She shyly placed her hair behind her ear as she spoke.
“I appreciate your help. If you can tell me who I can speak to about a job somewhere, I’d appreciate it.”
“Oh, Doc can find you a job.”
“I can ask Francine if she has any need for a waitress. Fourth of July festivities bring lots of crowds to town and especially for the pie-baking and chili-making contests.”