Page 110 of Riot

We pull up into the circular driveway and I switch the truck engine off. I lean over and plant a kiss on her lips. “No matter what happens, I’ve got your back.”

Her bottom lip trembles and it makes me wonder if she’s actually scared of them. No child should ever be afraid of their parents; I know only too well about that, but this isn’t the same situation and she needs my support.

“I just don’t want them to be mean to you.”

I frown. “You’re worried about me?”

She nods, biting her lip. “They can be pretty… uh, awful.”

“I’ve got thick skin,” I remind her. “This is nothin’ to me. All that matters is you and what needs to happen to make this better for you. So whatever I can do to make it easier, you just gotta tell me.”

“I want to see my dad, but not the other shit that goes along with it.”

“I know that, but sometimes the cookie crumbles.”

“Speaking of…” She turns to look at our dog, passed out on the back seat. “Oh, he’s fine.”

“He’s slept the whole way.”

“He’s a dream dog. I’ve no idea why anyone would want to throw him away.”

“It sucks he had to get hurt to find us, but sometimes that’s how it works out.”

She smiles. “A diamond in the rough.”

“Like his daddy?”

That makes her laugh, and I’m glad. “Yeah, just like his daddy.” She leans toward me and we kiss again.

“Better get goin’ inside. I don’t think your folks are gonna be too happy about us makin’ out in the driveway.”

“I don’t care what they think.” She wraps her arms around my neck.

“Are you just bein’ rebellious because you can?”

She shakes her head. “No. But if I forget to tell you later, I’m so glad you came with me.”

“I told you, whatever you need me to do and I’m there.”

“I guess we should get this over with.”

“I’ll grab Cookie.”

Halo

I knock on the front door but nobody answers, so I let myself in. Nothing has changed in my parents' home. It’s still exactly how I remember it and then some.

The marble floor clicks as I step onto it. The overhead chandelier is a tribute to my mom’s ridiculous decorating style. She likes to spend a lot of money on inornate objects, and those objects are lavish and over the top.

I squeeze Riot’s hand as he and Cookie, wobbling along beside us, venture into the vast hallway. Seriously, you could fit my entire apartment into this room alone. When I still haven’t heard my mom, I call out, “Mom? Dad? I’m home.”

Mom was expecting us; I texted her along the way to let her know when we’d be here.

I didn’t expect a welcoming committee, but still.

“Lourdes, honey? Is that you?” Mom rarely calls me by my given name, everyone knows me as Halo. She usually only calls me that when I’m in trouble.

“Hi, Mom.”

---