Sweaters by Heaven Evette Creater (chromebook ebook reader TXT) 📕

"Besides our current situation." he said flatly before continuing to drink. I got quiet and looked down. When I looked up, Miguel was staring at me, expecting my answers.

“Well, as I told you before, work at a daycare , I'm a assistant.” I said nervously.

He sat down in a chair backwards and rested his arms on the top while nodding his head.

“I only work during the day.” I said taking a seat on another chair. “But I also do volunteer work at the rehab center at night time. When you get clean and volunteer, it gives you points…” I trailed off. Miguel looked interested but a tiny bit confused. “The points get you great benefits.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Well, the points will turn into some type of value. Either cash or a item u might need.” I explained.

“What can you do to get em?” he asked eagerly. “You could help with paperwork or help plan family interventions. You can also clean around the building. Or if you recommend a patient or family, that could get you some, but not always.” I said.

“Why not?” he asked like a little kid.

“Because, why would you want to get an award for trying to help someone who needs it?” I asked getting a little serious.

“Understandable.” Was all he said at first. “How do you get items you want instead of money?” he asked suddenly.

“You make a wish list of things you want or need. If your counselor or any other staff that knows you, thinks you’ve been doing good, they can take a look at your list and give at least one of those things to you, using your points.” I explained.

“Sounds awesome.” He said looking into my eyes thoughtfully.

He massaged the side of his head with two fingers. Then he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Your head still hurts?” I asked.

He just looked up but didn’t answer. I walked over to him and massaged his head for him. Not trying anything sexual, just wanted to help. He looked up at me with his beautiful brown eyes. Like an innocent baby searching for something.

“You ok?” I asked.

“Yes, why’d you ask?” as he looked down.

“You had a weird look on your face.” I said softly.

“It’s nothing.” He said gently pushing my hands away. He stood up and walked to get his coat off the table.

“Miguel…” I said at a low tone, not wanting him to hear but wanting him to at the same time. He turned around facing me while putting on his long black leather trench coat.

“What time is Secret’s visit?” I asked avoiding what I really wanted to tell him .

“In about 30 minutes.” He said. “Why, you need something?” he asked.

“May I run to that store across the street? I wanna get her something.” I requested softly.

“Sure, we have time.” he as he opened the door. 

I grabbed my red coat and headed out. His cell phone started to ring and he answered it. He hung it back up immediately. I guess no one was on it. We were outside in the fresh, cold, crisp air. His phone rang again.

“Lo siento.” He said to me as he answered.

“You can go ahead.” He suggested as he leaned against his car and began his conversation. I walked in the shop and looked around. A older man had come from the back room with a box.

“May I help you?” he asked not looking in my direction.

“Any suggestions for a 9 year old girl?” I asked with a smile.

“9 year old girl, huh?” he asked still not looking at me. “I think I might have something…” he said as he turned to look at me but stopped dead in his tracks.

He starred at me for a moment, like he was examining me or something.

“Is everything alright?” I asked.

"I’m fine. You just look familiar.” He said still eying me curiously. He walked over to a rack of girl clothes. “I’ve got some nice warm sweater dresses.” He said pointing to a red one to show it to me.

“It’s very cute.” I complimented.

He walked away and came back with a red pair of shoes. “These match.” He said smiling.

“Let’s try black.” I suggested. He shrugged his shoulders.

“Yeah, too much red.” He giggled.

When he went to get the shoes, Miguel had just walked in. “Everything ok?” he asked coming over.

“Yeah, you like this dress?” I asked.

“Si, it’s cute.” He said touching it.

“Think she’ll like it?” I asked curiously.

“I hope, she’s very unpredictable.” He answered.

“If she doesn’t, you can bring it back.” The man smiled. “And it’s free of charge.”

“That’s very kind of you, gracias.” Miguel thanked.

“You’re welcome.” He said with a smile.

“I need to get her some fresh clothes. “ I said as I spotted a cute little sweater on a different rack. I grabbed it and a pair of jeans off of a shelf.

“I’ll take these!” I said excitedly.

“Great.” He said taking the dress and shoes. He went to the counter and bagged them up. Miguel’s phone rang again. He looked at it and dismissed it quickly.

“Busy?” I asked.

“I don’t know who it is. Same number keeps calling, but no answer when I pick up.” He explained.

“That’s pretty strange.” I said with a twisted look.

“Yeah, I guess.” He said as he brushed it off. The man came back with our bags and handed them to me.

“Have a nice day.” He said with a smile.

Miguel took them from me. I looked at him with an observing look. He smiled.

“Just being a gentleman.”

“Your mother taught you well.” I said softly. He gave a half smile and looked down.

“Maybe we should get going.” He suggested.

“Oh you’re right.” I said walking towards the door.

“Come again.” The man smiled.

I waved at him as Miguel opened the car door for me. We got in the car and pulled off. This may sound a bit strange but I loved the smell of his car.

“You’re so clean.” I stated accidently out loud.

“What?” he asked with a slight giggle.

“Nothing.” I retreated swiftly.

“No, tell me.” He begged curiously. I took a deep breath and repeated myself.

“What you mean?” he asked half laughing.

“You’re clean. Your house, your car, you…” I trailed off. “Everything’s so clean.”

“Not my life.” He stated sharply.

It was quiet for a few minutes. I broke the silence with “I’m sorry.” He looked at me with a “For what?” face.

“I didn’t mean to put you through any of this.”

I said softly. “Through what?”  He asked. 

I had a feeling he was playing dumb. Like he wanted me to admit that it was my fault.

“All of this.” I said playing with my hands. It’s kind of a nervous thing.

“I didn’t mean for you to find out about Secret, at least not this way.” I said softly, more to myself than to him.

He didn’t respond, he just kept driving and looking ahead.

“I’m sorry for putting this all on you. My plan was to get clean, get Secret and take her with me and try to rebuild our life together.” I stated.

“You thought it’d be that easy?” he asked with a mocking tone in his voice.

“It sounded simple in my mind.” I said sassily with my arms folded. I had felt offended.

There was an awkward silence between us and then the car was stopped by a red light. Still silent. Miguel turned on the radio. Good, I was feeling extremely uncomfortable. 

We finally arrived at the hospital. As soon as he parked, I hopped out of the car. The tension in it felt like I was carrying a heavy ass kid on my shoulders. He got out too and caught up with me and grabbed my arm gently.

“Tamar…” he said softly. I didn’t look at him, I didn’t want to.  “Look, I didn’t mean anything by what I said.”

He said gently grabbing me by my chin to face him. 

“It’s not your fault. My life wasn’t clean before you came anyway.” He said apologetically. 

He looked at me with his beautiful eyes that seemed to say “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” I said moving his hand away and walking towards the hospital doors. He caught up with me but didn’t say anything else.

When we got to the front desk, Miguel signed us in. The nurse gestured us into the waiting area with a few other people. I thought she was being completely rude. Her big head ass was on the phone and the conversation didn’t sound related to her job. People were trying to ask her questions and the sign up line was starting to get longer little by little. But the bitch paid close attention when Miguel walked back up to the desk to ask about the visit hold up. I walked up next to him just to see her reaction. Her face changed quickly and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

“Secret Stone?” she asked.

“Si, senorita.” Miguel answered.

She got on the phone again and I guess she called the doctor.

“They moved her from the room so it could be cleaned and prepared for the next patient. She’s been transported to a different unit since she’s getting better. She’s playing with the other kids in the play room. You’ll see her shortly.” She said aggravated and annoyed.

“Gracias.” He said politely.

She looked at me with a face. “Mhmm, you and your friend have a nice day.” She said with a fake smile. I just looked at her with a “Bitch, try again.” look. Miguel squeezed my arm gently and pulled me away. We sat down in the chairs and finally after a few moments, they called our names for Secret’s visit.  A nurse walked us towards a new room. Another nurse came running towards her and whispered something in her ear. She pointed towards a door.

“There’s Miss Secret’s door. I’m sorry, there’s an emergency.” She said walking off quickly. Miguel walked towards it eagerly but stopped by the door when he realized I wasn’t following him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I don’t want to go in.” I said flatly.

“Why not?”  He asked curiously. I didn’t respond.

“Tamar, it’ll be alright.” Miguel reassured.  I shook my head.

“No, how about you go in first. Then just come back and tell me how she’s doing.” He just looked at me for a minute so I gave him a serious look to let him I wasn’t joking.

“Ok..” he said opening the door.

Miguel:

I understand why Tamar didn’t want to go in, so I didn’t bug her about it. Secret was sitting on the bed watching TV.

“Hi sweetie.” I said softly. She looked at me and said hey. “You feeling better?” I asked.

“Yes, a lot better.” She answered softly.

“That’s real good.” I answered. There was an awkward tension in the room.

“Can I go home?” she asked.

“Yes, well if the doctor says you can.” I said trying to comfort her. 

“I want Daniel.” She said quietly.

I couldn’t, and mostly, didn’t want to respond to that.

“When is the last time you saw him?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yesterday morning.” She said silently.  The doctor walked in.

“I want to go home to Daniel.”  She stated again.

“You can go home with your mother.” He offered.  “I don’t want to go home with her, I want to go home with Daniel.” She said stubbornly.

Tamar had just walked in and I’m quite sure she heard it.

“But, you can’t.”  he said sympathetically.

“Why not, he’s my dad.” She said. I swear my heart stopped at that moment.

“We’re going to have to tell her eventually.” I interrupted. 

Tamar had this frightened look on her face.

“Tell me what?” Secret asked.

"Can you leave the room?" Tamar asked the Nurse.

"Of course, I'll be back in a few." he responded.

“Well…” I paused. Not exactly sure on how I should break the news.

“Daniel…he did a bad thing. He hurt you, he and Sheila both.” I tried to explain.

“They poisoned your food and tried to kill you. We have to keep him from you…for your own safety."

She didn’t have a reaction to the news. She simply sat there as if we had told her nothing at