Page 44 of Wire

“Jovie? I think I have a plan.”

Looking around the crappy store room we’re in there doesn’t look like much that can be useful. I’m not even sure why there’s a mattress in here but it’s gross and stained and I don’t really want Jovie on it but it’s not like we have much choice at the moment. There’s some junk sitting in the corner next to the door, so I get closer for a better look. I don’t really want to touch any of it, so I shuffle it around with the toe of my shoe.

“What are you doing, Miss Remy?” Jovie whispers. Her voice is a little raw from her crying, but it seems my poking around has pulled her out of her fear for the time being.

“I’m looking for something to help me get that board off the window. If I can do that, I’ll be able to help you crawl through it and you can find help.”

She wipes her nose on her sleeve before nodding at me. “I can do that. I can run really fast. I’ll find someone to come save us.”

She crawls along the mattress until she’s closer to me and peers through the dim light into the pile that I’m kicking about. Something clangs and Jovie and I both look at each other wide eyed. Getting to my knees, I feel around until I find what made the noise. It looks to be a square piece of metal, sort of the size of the grate that sits under Chewy’s torture chair. It’s not overly thick, so I’m sure it’ll fit the gap between the board and the window and be large enough for me to pry the board off.

Jumping up, I slide the metal between the board and the window and work to loosen the nails around the rough old wood until I can fit my hands in. Getting a good grip, I plant one foot on the wall and pull as hard as I can. I’m sure the gap between the window and the boards is getting bigger, so I shake my hands out, get a better grip, and pull as hard. Feeling a tug, I look down to see Jovie is pulling me by the waistband, tryingwith all her might to give me the extra strength I need to rip this board right out of the wall. It must work because a long creak sounds out before the aged wood comes away and Jovie and I jerk backwards onto the mattress. We lie there for a moment; me catching my breath, making sure I didn’t squish Jovie. Little girl giggles bubble up and light up my soul as I let out a guffaw before laughing along with Jovie. This little girl is the type of light that shouldn’t be dimmed just because her dad is a jerk. No, he’s worse than a jerk. He’s an asshole.

Looking down at my little buddy, I raise my brow. “You ready to bust outta here, kid?”

“Are you coming with me?”

Eyeing the window, I know for a fact that there is no way I can fit through there.

“I’m too big to fit through the window, sweet.”

She shakes her head and I know she doesn’t want to go alone.

“But listen to me. I need you to find help, OK? I need you to get to my friends, Mr. Wire and the DRMC. Can you do that?”

“I-I don’t know. I’m scared. What if I’m too little?” She looks down at the ground and I tip her chin up.

“Jovie, you once told me that big things have to look after little things, right? Well, this time, I need a brave little thing to look after me. I think you’re the bravest little thing I know. I know you can do this.”

Her big brown eyes stare up at me for a moment and I watch as she transforms in front of my eyes. Her little shoulders pull back, her brows crease together, and she gives me a nod.

“OK Miss Remy. I can save you.”

“Good girl Jovie. You can do this.”

I look through the dirty window and see that it’s not so dark out just yet. I finish work at 4pm, and judging by the light outside I’d say it’s closer to 6ish. Not so dark as to be too scary for Jovie.

“OK Jovie, when I put you through this window I need you to look for a specific person for help. You need to look for someone who looks like a mom or a nana. A lady with a bag with a long strap that she wears across her body,” I show her with my hands what I mean. “Ladies with crossbody bags know everything. They’ll know how to find Mr. Wire. OK? Can you repeat back my instructions?”

“Yes, find a mommy or a nana with a bag that goes across like this,” she shows with her hands.

“Good girl Jovie, you are so clever and so brave. Are you ready?”

“Ready Miss Remy.”

Mama Debs

“You know I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to come to Rosie’s! This place is bloody brilliant!”

Swinging my head around I want to take in all the things. The cutesy booths, the cool decor, the biggest pepper grinder I have ever seen in my life. Sidney sits across from me with a frown on his handsome face and I have a bit of an idea of why he’s in a sour mood. I assume it’s because he and Rosie have some type of past relationship. I also assume it’s because he doesn’t know that I know all about his flirting with Rosie and he’s trying to make out like he isn’t the old dog that I know he is.

I should put him out of his misery but I love watching him squirm everytime Rosie comes over to serve us. Thus far she hasshown no signs of jealousy. In fact, she seemed overly happy that I was here with Sid.

“Yeah, it’s alright. Good food and all.”

“And great service. Rosie is so beautiful. Don’t you think? Such a lovely lady.” I try to hide my smirk while he squirms.

He stares at me from across the booth before his eyes narrow, then widen in shock. “You’re doing this on purpose! Baby, that’s just cruel!”

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