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“Nah. A little pale. You look like you might pass out. Or puke. But other than that, totally fine.”
A half laugh slipped through my lips. I closed my eyes, slowly taking a deep breath. I just had to breathe. It was no big deal to be out here. I was still on the OPS property. I hadn’t gone wandering off.
Did you ask permission to leave the house?
My eyes flew open, but before I could figure out where I had heard that before, Bradford strode up to me.
“Hey, going on a walk without me?” he asked, his charming smile instantly soothing me.
I wanted to say something equally funny, but the words just wouldn’t come. I was stuck in a state of limbo.
“So, you want to check on Carli?”
I nodded, the words stuck in my throat.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Vira squeezed my fingers, letting me know she was still with me. I didn’t remember much of the walk. I was in a daze the whole time until we got to his house. It was a nice two-story house, much like the others on the property. There wasn’t much difference to any of them around here. I distracted myself from the anxiety ripping through me by pointing out the differences between this house and the one next to it. The shutters were a different color. The garage was on the opposite side of the house. The porch went the whole length of this house, whereas the one next door only had a short porch.
“Ready?”
I jerked my gaze to Bradford and nodded. I’d never been to anyone else’s house, and I had a feeling this would be one of those things Ebarardo would not approve of, but the need to make sure Carli was okay won out.
The door swung open just seconds after Bradford knocked, and Jason looked past him to Vira and me.
“Hey, man. Izzy wanted to check on Carli. Do you think we could come inside a minute?”
“Sure.”
I avoided all eye contact. I knew if I looked at him, he would be fuming, angry that I was basically accusing him of being a child abuser. I slid past him, careful not to touch him as I stepped inside.
“She’s upstairs in her room. You can head up there.”
I didn’t waste a second hanging around downstairs. I wanted to check on her and get back to my house where I felt comfortable. I peeked in every door until I found her sitting in her room playing with a doll on her bed. She looked fine. In fact, there didn’t seem to be a single thing wrong with her.
“Carli?”
“Izzy!” She jumped off her bed and ran toward me, flinging herself into my arms.
I wasn’t expecting a hug or an enthusiastic greeting. She released me and smiled up at me like this was the best day of her life. I just didn’t understand it.
“Are you okay, sweetie?”
She nodded emphatically, not using her words.
“It’s just…” How did I ask if her father hurt her? That seemed like a line I shouldn’t cross.
She ducked her head. All the happiness seemed to drain from the room. “I was sad. Daddy said it’s okay to be sad.”
“Why were you sad?” I got down on my knees so I could see her better.
“Momma and me used to make brownies.”
Used to.
“Sweetie, what happened to your mommy?”
“Daddy says she’s in heaven.” She sniffled, swiping at her nose.