“Shine, remember what I said downstairs.” Captain is getting into his protective mode.
Just then she opens her eyes. She looks a little startled. Three people she doesn’t know in her room. Two of us bikers. I guess that could be scary.
“Hey, little lady. It’s okay. We’re friends, or we’re going to be. We just want to help.” I try to reassure her. She reaches for the bed adjuster and brings her bed up. I can see in her eyes that it is painful for her. She reaches for her water cup, and I go over and see it is nearly empty, so I fill it up and hand it to her. She takes a slow sip like she is savoring it.
“Who are you and why do you want to be my friend?” Her eyes are taking in what she can.
“Darling, it just seems like you could use some friends. We just want to help.” Captain has come up to the other side of the bed. “My wife, Lil, wants to help you.”
“But why? I have nothing I can give you in return. She doesn’t know me, or anything about me.” The girl looks like she is on the verge of tears.
“Your name is Katie Walton. You’re twenty years old as of two days ago. You work and go to school. You live in Tyler not far from us. You were in a wreck last night. You have no family to help you. You only have a working relationship with your boss. How am I doing so far?” Lil has stepped forward to stand beside Captain and has taken Katie’s hand in hers.
“Wow. You’ve gotten all of that out of our short conversations. All I know is your name is Lillian Duncan and your husband calls you Lil and you say you want to be my friend.” Katie smiles at Lil and she is definitely beautiful, even with her bruises.
“Sweetheart, we want to help you through this. You look like you may could use some more friends and we live close. Who knows, we may be neighbors already. Where in Tyler do you live?” Lil is already working her magic with Katie. I can see in her face she has relaxed some.
“I live on MLK in a little garage apartment. It’s small, but it’s mine. It’s all I can afford right now. It’s a like a studio.” That’s not good and I see the disapproval on both Lil and Captain’s faces.
“Do you live alone? That’s not a real safe part of town for such a young person.” Lil is trying to stay calm, but I can see it isn’t working.
“What do you mean for a young person? It’s not safe for any woman by herself. Young lady, do you have a security system or at least good locks?” Now Captain is getting pissed.
“No. I can’t afford a security system. I keep a bat close at night and the locks are adequate for my needs. I’ve never had any trouble. I keep to myself. I don’t really own anything worth stealing.” Katie looks a little embarrassed.
“Darling, I’m not worried about your things being stolen. I’m worried for your safety. Is it okay if I have one of my brothers go over and check it out and bring you some things?” I can see the brothers will be visiting her place today, even if she doesn’t agree.
“That would be very kind of you. Are you sure they won’t mind? At the top of the stairs, on the ledge of the railing there is a potted plant and in the dirt my spare key is hidden.” How original. “It’s a fake plant, but it’s real dirt, so it’s easy to find the key.” Easy for anyone. Katie is too innocent for her own good. “Do you know how much damage was done to my truck? It’s the only means of transportation I have. It’s not much to look at, but she always starts for me.” She’s going to get more bad news.
“I was told it was pretty bad, but I will have it checked out for you.” Captain already knows it’s in bad shape. He has already decided she will be part of our family or he would have just told her.
I’m watching, but not really contributing to the conversation. I am observing Katie to see if she is trying to play Lil and Captain. I see no deception. She doesn’t look like she is trying to milk it. There’s a slight knock at the door and I take the few steps to open it. Con steps in with his hands full of fast food bags.
“Con, thank you. My stomach was starting to growl. Katie are you hungry?” Lil is trying to put Katie at ease.
“It’s all very nice of you, but I can eat whatever they bring me in. I don’t want to take your food. I’m sure mine will be here soon.” That’s not working for me. She’s going to eat our food.
“You can eat our food and we aren’t taking no for an answer. I can’t believe you would rather put hospital food in your stomach, instead of this delicious smelling food. So I don’t want to hear anything else. You look like you could afford to gain some weight. So you will eat.” Katie looks at me like I have grown a second head.
“I’m fine, so I’ll wait.” Katie is being stubborn.