Page 3 of Wilde Abandon

“All the time, Daddy.But he always comes to school.He doesn’t like to be home.Please, you have to go see.Make them stop.He can stay with us.I’ll share my room.We won’t hurt him.You and Mama are nice.I’ll take care of him.I will.I promise.”She’d do anything for Fox.

Her dad gave her a sad face and brushed his hand over her hair.“You are taking care of him right now, sweetheart, by telling me he needs help.I’ll take care of it.I promise.But I need you to go to class now.I’ll pick you up later.”

“You’ll bring him to school, right?He doesn’t want to be at home.”

“I will make sure he’s all right.”He kissed her on the head.“Go.I’ll drive out to his place right now.”

She scrambled out of the truck and pulled her backpack on.Before she shut the door, her dad was on the phone and saying, “I need a wellness check immediately on Fox Bridges.”

Melody closed the door, her tummy not so tight.Her daddy would help Fox.He’d be okay, and they’d be friends forever.

Fox heard the sirens in the distance and a truck driving close.He lay curled up on the dirt.He’d been there all night listening to the sounds of the critters scurrying and the wind blowing through the cracks in the barn.The pain…it wouldn’t let him sleep.He was so tired.

When sunlight glinted on his face, he knew he was supposed to wake his mom, avoid his dad at all costs, and go to school.He liked school.It was safe there.No one yelled at him.No one hit him.He always got something to eat, thanks to Melody.They had lunch together every day.

Last night he’d wished she was here with him.She’d tell him stories.She’d probably have tried to keep him warm.

He didn’t feel the cold anymore.

It hurt to move, so he just didn’t move at all, though breathing hurt, too.He couldn’t stop doing that, so every second he felt that pain in his chest and tried not to breathe too deep.

But his heart started racing as he heard those loud sirens.

They’d wake his dad and mom.They’d be so mad.It seemed like they were always mad.His mom was sad a lot.She wasn’t always nice either.Dad liked to hit her, too.But she got her licks in sometimes.She hardly ever stopped Dad from hitting him anymore.

Better him than her, he guessed she probably thought, angry all over again.They were making him like them.

He hadn’t done anything last night.He’d been quiet.He stayed in his room.Didn’t matter.It never mattered if he did something or not.

The cars didn’t make any noise now.

His eyes were drifting shut.So tired.

He hoped the cops were here to take his dad in for another DUI, whatever that was.It had something to do with him being drunk all the time.That’s what Mom said.

Fox liked it better when his dad went away, though being with his mom wasn’t much fun—just not as bad as being with his dad.

There was a lot of yelling all of a sudden.

They woke up my parents.Not good.

Then his dad was yelling, “You can’t come in.You can’t search without a warrant.”

Fox didn’t know what that was, or what they were looking for.He didn’t care.His eyes were closed.He felt like he was drifting away.That pain in his belly hurt worse now.

He didn’t want to hurt anymore.

The barn door slid open and the light blinded him.He squinted his eyes closed tight and didn’t move, hoping his father wouldn’t find him, even though he’d barely made it inside the door.

“Fox.”

He didn’t recognize the man’s voice.It sounded shocked and sad at the same time.

A hand brushed over his head.He flinched.Not from the pain, but because he expected another blow.

“I won’t hurt you, son.I’m here to help.Melody sent me.”

Anger, betrayal, and fear washed through him, making his aching muscles tense even more.How could she do this to him?