Page 43 of Cannon

Jesse watched Cannon playing the video game against War and Bear. They’d finished lunch and War and Bear had challenged Cannon. He’d been the one at the top of the board before moving to her house. While he was there, the guys had been practicing, hoping to beat him. It was always a competition for them.

Sarah sat down beside her. Jesse hoped she had news. She’d asked Sarah to look into Renae’s situation and also track down Cannon’s dad.

“So, I don’t think you’re going to like what I found out,” Sarah said.

“Then just tell me.”

“Renae is living with her male cousin and his three friends. Her mom passed away, and the cousin is the only relative. He’s twenty-nine and can’t seem to hold down a full-time job. However, he has money in the bank. I did find a life insurance policy from when Renae’s mom passed. It could possibly be hers, but I don’t see that she has spent any.”

Jesse worried about what was going on. Renae was thinner, and the bruises were worrisome. But she didn’t want to scare her away.

“She’s fifteen. Do you think maybe we could see if she would want to babysit some of the kids and we could get to know her better?”

“You’re reading my mind. We need to have her away from the other students and able to talk. Do you have her number?” Sarah asked.

“Yes, I have email and phone numbers. It was one of my requirements for the class, so I could contact them if something came up.”

Winnie sat down along with Remi.

“What’s up?”

“I’m worried about one of the girls in my class. We want to talk with her. Can you make up needing a babysitter?”

Winnie nodded. “Of course I can. How about this afternoon if she’s available? We could have you hang here and get that painting done for the babies’ room.”

Jesse loved how her family jumped all in. She texted Renae and got an immediate yes. She let her know Winnie would be picking her up.

“Okay, she’s ready right now.”

Jesse showed Winnie her address, then relaxed. Her sisters would get everything situated.

Cannon returned from checking on the painting at the house. Despite everyone telling him he didn’t need to be there, he had to. He’d missed so much that he wanted to check on it. The pale gray walls along with the white trim looked great. The pink accents and bedding were very cute. After everything was dry, they’d situate the room. He had to admit he was getting a little nervous the closer they got to the due date.

Those birth videos had scarred him for life, and he couldn’t imagine Jesse having to go through that. He’d asked her aboutthe epidural. She’d said she was leaving the option open, which he was happy about. He wasn’t sure how he’d handle her in pain.

Jesse was sitting at one of the tables with Renae while the kids were sacked out in front of a movie with a bowl of popcorn. How they had room for it, he wasn’t sure. He was still stuffed from lunch. Jesse had clued him in about her concerns and Sarah’s findings. He’d also left to have less males around to see if Renae would open up.

He walked over to let Jesse know he was back. He could go and pack up some more of his clothing from his room. He’d like to have his whole hat collection.

“Sorry to interrupt. I wanted to let you know I’m back. I thought I’d pack some more clothing.”

Jesse smirked. “He means more hats. I think he has more hats than I have shoes, Renae, which is saying something.”

Renae shyly smiled.

“Cannon, I’ve been chatting with Renae about her situation. I told her you used to be a police officer before you came here. She and I thought you might have some ideas about how to help her. Why don’t you sit down?”

Cannon pulled out a chair and sat down. His leg was aching from the walking cast, but it was worth it to be more mobile. Getting to go piss when he needed to was a gift in itself.

“Sure, what’s going on?”

Cannon kept his voice softer, using the one he’d unfortunately used thousands of times on the job with abused individuals.

“My mom died and the only person they could find was a cousin I’d never met. He moved me here. He and his friends aren’t nice, and I’m scared of them.”

Cannon nodded. This young girl’s eyes had entirely too much pain in them for someone so young.

“Okay. I’d like to ask a couple more questions.”

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