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Tanner

Kinsley lays in my arms, her body pressed against mine. The steady rise and fall of her chest soothes an ache I’ve been feeling since I walked out on her. Closing my eyes, I let the emotional exhaustion take over.

“Tanner!” Harley calls from the cubby house we built at the top of the tree. I run towards the ladder but before I reach it, my body hits the ground.

“Damn shoelace!” Tears prick at my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. My father’s voice booms in my mind ‘ tears show weakness Tanner and the weak don’t survive in this world’ . I’ve been at Darcel House for almost two years, and I can still hear Dad’s firm voice as if he was standing there next to me. If only Mum’s laughter and her nighttime stories were as easy to recall.

Quickly, I tie my shoelace and brush the dirt off my knees. “Hurry up, Tanner!” Harley moans and I roll my eyes. When I reach the ladder, I climb up into the space we made for ourselves. There are lots of other boys here too, maybe twenty. Some come and go, but others stay until they’re grown up enough to work.

Light blue eyes and a warm smile peak up into the cubby house. “A little birdie told me it’s somebody’s tenth birthday today.” Turning her attention to me, she slides a small package my way. “Keep this between us, oh — another little birdie told me there were cupcakes hidden in your wardrobe too.” And with a wink, she disappears again.

My eyes spring open, I remember where I’ve seen her before.

Louise worked at Darcel House.