Page 72 of Caged
“Lara, I know you’re in there.” I can see the light of the television through the window.
“Go away!” Her voice is muffled behind the heavy oak.
“Nope. It’s time. Alexei said you shut him out, too. You know the rules.” I’m glad he’s around. Who else would I trust with Elena?
Mikhail has always remained standoffish. I think he is burdened with guilt every time he sees her.
The crack opens as Lara glints one eye on me. “I’m fine. Go.”
“Uh uh.” Pushing into her house is easy. She doesn’t have the ability to stop me, not when she’s on one of her spells.
Stumbling backwards, she catches herself on the table with her palm. “Niki, I said I’m fine. You can leave me alone now.”
I can see by the dark rings under her eyes and the hollow in her cheeks, she’s far from it.
“I need your help.” That always seems to pull her out. “I have a big job tomorrow, and Melissa said she has a doctor’s appointment and can’t watch Elena.”
Lara slumps into the chair, staring past me to the flickering images on the screen behind me. “I can’t.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I glance around at the disarray she’s allowed to accumulate. “You should let Alexei in, he’ll help you clean up.”
She focuses on me, and her eyes narrow. “I don’t need anyone, Niki. I just don’t want any company. Besides, why is that girl going to the doctor? Did you knock her up?”
I know she’s trying to be malicious, but I think about her words.
How bad would it be? Melissa and I have an easy relationship, and are closer than we’ve ever been.
I just hate that I always feel like she isn’t being completely open with me.
“No, but what if I did?” Maybe one day.
Lara shakes her head. Her blond hair isn’t even brushed out. “Send Alexei over tonight. I’ll watch Elena tomorrow. But—” She holds up a single finger. “—I’m not promising that we won’t sit and watch TV all day.”
“I can live with that.” I know my sister falls into these low spots, but she’d never put my daughter at risk. Usually, when she sees Elena, it snaps her back.
“And.” Her voice drops. “Can you pack her some actual healthy food? None of the sugary garbage that’s so popular.”
Her eyebrows tighten and her lips thin into a pained expression.
“I can do that,” I say quietly. “Would you like me to pack some extra strawberries?” Those always seem to smooth things out. It’s one of her “safe” snacks.
She sighs, and drops her forehead in her palm. “Yes, please.”
My hand wraps her neck before I drop a light kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll send Alexei over with some. And I’ll bring some extra in the morning.”
“I do miss Elena,” she whispers.
I’ve learned a long time ago that trying to pressure her doesn’t work. “She’ll have fun getting to see you. She drew you a picture to bring.”
Lara looks up and gives me a weak smile. “Thank you, Niki. I love her art. She’s my little Picasso.”
“She is. She’s really thriving with Melissa around.” I let my voice trail off. I know Lara doesn’t trust her, but I do.
I’m finally starting to feel like I have a complete family. That the empty, cold place in my life when Katerina died, is finally being softened with Melissa.
Opening my home to her was one thing, but she’s chipped away at the walls that have armored my heart.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that’s working. If I ever find out that Melissa hurts Elena, no one will find her body,” Lara says matter of factly.