Trapped in his arms

nst the tarp's floor. The dried blood that had flowed down the side of my head

my mumbled "shi

n I realized that I didn't have to worry about getting in trouble

out from horror, I grinned smugly

n put his hands over his mouth. As I saw hi

very's face was set in a permanent look of unease as he

d the tarp, I push

iled maliciously and made a ref

w come on" as I yanke

n clothing to change into, and I had nothing with which to wash ourselves. When we walked onto the playground packed w

rried since I had no idea what was going to happen to us. I gulped as I opened the classroom door a

Jane and the rest of the audience were stunned. She came out into

d to your head?" She let o

se I had to take care of Avery instead of going to school. I sobbed uncontrollably and ramb

What about your dad?" 'Why?' sh

" and then I distanced myself from her. Avery'

said a bad word to an adult," which

e on boys, come with me" as

aw, "I can't believe

uckled, relieved to have let out some o

gthy conversation

r up to the do

he boys' mother is no longer around, then they w

r they will be separated. To no avail, she begged him. With my pulse pounding, I took a few steps back from

Avery saw my astonished appe

it'll be okay," I told

beneath the seat, which was too low for him to touch the floor. I wish I coul

wide and ther

forehand. She beamed as if it were excellent news. Nothing more than a "okay" came out of my mouth. I wanted the best for Avery regardless of whet

th furrowed eyebrows. Avery dutifully nodded as I turned the ben

a counter. She applied a bandage to the injured side of my he

She stepped back to gauge my reaction before asking. I didn't say anything; I just nodded. I wasn't naive, but I also

ing another word. I walked back and Ms. Jane drove us a

*

told Avery, "Grab everythi

ster care, but he inquired in confus

him, "We don't have a mom or a da

take care of me?" His eyes we

red him, "I'm still a kid to

hat about mom?" The sight of her pic

your mother was never healthy," I

age?" Before I saw the sadness lift fr

his tears and

ng care of us temporarily until we go into foster car

hen I asked Avery, all I got was a nod. I cou

aid aloud

retrieved my piggy bank and

Donald's so I can get Avery a happy meal?

lex?" With my piggy bank

who was beaming. Obviously, I was being dishonest. I was so hungry I thought

grin on her lips, she nodded. I saw her

proudly as we walked out of the apartment. Her face suddenly took on a m

idn't understand why they were awful, but I saw what they did to my mom and I understood. They caused her to become we

unknown to me. I was worried about losing him, but I wasn't going to allow things to go that far. After days without eating, I q

k blanket and gave me instructions. We went downstairs, where she had already pre

switched off

ds goodnight and

s as I slept off. Before Avery realized it was

in a low voice. I ch

onger than the last, drawing my attent

sofa, I said "yes" and

he room. I can't say for certain what prompted his extreme

ers to let him in. He raced over

ed as he pulled the covers up to his

ly and said, "Yeah,