his clothes?”
“His father didn’t provide an address at the time of arrest. I don’t know where their stuff is.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “Then how did you get the kid?”
“His father told me he needed to be picked up from school.”
“Didn’t the school have an address for them?”
“Yes, but it was his father’s ex-girlfriend’s place. All she said was that they moved out six months ago.”
“What about Social Services?”
“Danny’s been on their radar before, but they’re happy to have us shoulder the burden for now.”
“Even though shots have been fired in our home?” This fact had contributed to the judge’s decision to return Noelle to her birthmother four months ago. Or maybe it had been the man’s blood spattered all over our walls, looking kinda Jackson Pollack, but not in a good way.
Ray frowned. “That wasn’t our fault. Let’s just say Danny is not the type of kid to be in high demand.”
I didn’t have the energy to explore this revelation. “Where’s he going to sleep?”
“On the couch for tonight.”
“Then where?” I started to load the dishwasher.
“We do have a spare bedroom.”
A plate slipped out of my hand and shattered on the floor. “Are you talking about Noelle’s nursery?” Tears filled my eyes. It was my last link to her. Sometimes I even thought I could smell the No More Tears from her hair.
Ray got the broom and swept up the shards. “I know it’s hard, Darlin’, but it’s time to move on. You said yesterday you wanted to help people. Here’s a kid who needs our help.”
Words failed me. Ray always liked to take control of a situation and make decisions for me. It was a side to his personality I could live without, but I didn’t have the strength or inclination to fight it today.
He took my silence as acquiescence. “I’m on the day shift tomorrow. I’d appreciate it if you took Danny over to school to meet with the principal. Then maybe you could do a little clothes and supply shopping with him? He’s looking forward to it. Can you do that for me?”
Before I could tell him I already had my day planned around straightening out Erica, she let out another shriek. Ray and I charged into the living room to find her waving her purse in the air.
“I went in the can and came out to find Danny Boy helping himself to my cash.”
“I was looking for a Kleenex.” Danny rubbed his nose. “I got boogers.”
“Liar! The kid’s a thief.”
Ray held up a placating hand. “Settle down, Erica. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding, my ass. I’m out of here.” She grabbed her coat from the closet. Her slam reverberated in the front door glass.
Ray perched on the edge of the couch next to the boy, whose head had sunk into his shoulders. “We have some rules in this house, Danny. If you’re going to live here, you have to follow our rules. No stealing, no lying, no swearing, no drugs, no smoking of any kind, no playing with matches, no going anywhere without telling us, and no talking back. We expect you to do your homework and help out when you’re asked.” He reached his massive hand up and brushed the hair out of the kid’s face. “Will you promise to follow those rules, Danny?”
“Yes.” But his sullen tone and his failure to look Ray in the eye bothered me.
Erica could wait another day. This kid needed me more. But I couldn’t let this opportunity pass. “I have one more rule.”
Danny and Ray looked at me.
“No hair in your eyes. Tomorrow we’ll get you a haircut, too.”
____
The principal at Wachobe Middle School, Mrs. Travis, projected warmth in her smile, her handshake, and her guiding hand on Danny’s shoulder. I squared away the paperwork with her while a teacher gave Danny some placement assessments. Then the principal took us on a tour. I’d seen the building before. Ray and I both went to school here, and the brick exterior and tan interior hadn’t changed much. The library had new blue carpeting, and the gym had a springy newfangled floor made out of recycled rubber. I recognized the smell of Pizza Day wafting from the cafeteria.
With hair masking his face, I couldn’t tell what Danny thought of the school. He sat outside in the hallway for a few minutes after our tour while the principal reviewed his assessments with me.
“He tested at grade level, although the teacher thought he showed more potential. I’m going to place