Page 40 of Losing Faith

“No?” She sounds even more confused. “Will I still get to go to the pizza party?”

“You will, kiddo,” Lisette reassures her. “Are you sure Ms. Rose didn’t give you any warnings today?” she asks from beside me, but I know my kid isn’t a liar and I make a reminder to call her school.

Chapter Twelve

Lisette

Iletmyeyesfallshut as I raise the volume on my speaker, desperately trying to get the music to drown out my thoughts. I focus on the lyrics and beat of the song while ignoring the weight in my chest and the desperation eating at me for a drink.

I look back at my canvas and get back to the painting I’m working on. Glancing at the crocheted flowers Jackson got me, I mix some more white into my paint to match the shade of purple of the yarn.

After another half hour of trying to drown my feelings in my work, the painting is complete. I set my brush down and tilt my head to the side to examine it. I glance at the flowers beside the canvas, and both are nearly identical.

“Not bad.” I nod to myself as I rise from my seat, but a second later, the weight is back in my chest again.

Walking into my room, I head for my turtle tank and Piglet swims over to me. “I need you to support my emotions right now, bud.” I put my hand into the tank and he swims into my hand. “You’re such a good turtle.” I smile down at him as I scoop him out of the water.

Settling with him in the living room again, I place him in a bucket with some water. Grabbing an older incomplete canvas, I sit at the easel with it.

After a few songs, the painting looks more put together. A faint banging at the door catches my attention, and as I pull my headphones off to listen, it sounds like the damn police are outside. I tread to the door lightly before going still at the sound of someone crying.

“Open the door!”

“Harmony?” I quickly swing the door open and when her eyes meet mine, her tears are traded for anger.

“If I didn’t think you’d beat my ass, I would slap you right now.” She storms past me before throwing her school bag at her feet. It’s still early in the morning, so she’s cutting and I roll my eyes as I imagine Ana’s call.

I shut my door before turning to her. “Yeah, I’d kick your ass, so keep those manicured hands to yourself.”

She looks at me like she’s going to hit me anyway and my smile doesn’t waver.

“What is your problem?”

“Me?” She nearly shouts. “I’ve been knocking for ten minutes. Why were you ignoring me and why did you block me?” Tears start to form in her eyes again, but I’m beyond confused.

“I had my headphones on. I didn’t know you were knocking my door down and I didn’t block you. I was calling you all day yesterday.”

Her brows furrow before she pulls her phone out of her pocket. She looks over at something as her shoulders sag. “It says I have you blocked…”

I let out a scoff as I take a seat in front of my canvas again. “Ana took your phone didn’t she?”

Harmony mumbles a few curses, and since I’m not the responsible older sister between the three of us, I don’t say anything about her language.

I pick up my paintbrush again as she settles on the couch beside me.

“Who got you these flowers?” She touches them gently, but I don’t miss her numb tone.

“My sugar daddy.” From the corner of my eyes, I can see her go still before she steals a glance at me. I stifle a laugh and she visibly relaxes.

“Hey, I wasn’t judging.”

“Mhm.” I roll my eyes at her. “I’m tutoring a family friend. Her dad got them for me.”

She nods in thought as I return to working on my painting.

“You kept them, so I’m assuming he’s hot and not a creepy older guy you’re working for.”

I bite back a smile. “He’s the guy you said was hot a few weeks ago.” I turn to her. “Nice car, expensive suit, and tie.”

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