Page 47 of When It Burns

“I started working when I was twelve. I found someone with chicken houses that didn’t care how old I was. Worked from the time I got out of school until midnight every night. I was so proud when that farmer paid me the first time. Eighty dollars cash for the week. I was too stupid to realize the man was paying me about twelve dollars a day. I took it in the living room and showed it to her. I told her I’d gotten a job so that I could buy a used Xbox from Goodwill. She slapped me, took my money, and told me to stop being a brat. That went on for a few years, but I managed to hide it all.”

“Michael,” I say, wanting to comfort him, but he just keeps talking.

“By the time I turned fifteen, I had gotten bigger than her, so she quit trying to hit me. Instead, she just ignored me. I didn’t really mind. I gave her most of the money I made doing odd jobs, but I hid enough back to pay for my cell phone and food. I told myself I just had to make it until I was eighteen, and then I would get out. But then she ran off. And that would have been fine because I’ve been taking care of myself for a long damn time. But then I was sitting in your class and you were talking about the American Dream. And I couldn’t answer the question, because I don’t have a damn clue what I want out of this life anymore. And then you started talking about calling a parent and I lost it. If I tell Mr. Hale why my mom can’t come, I’ll be placed in foster care. And it’s all your fuc-”

“Enough,” Theo says.

Michael blinks at him as if he forgot he was there while Theo continues. “Listen, Michael, I know you think no one in the world can understand what you're going through. But I swear, I do. You’ve been dealt a really fucking shitty hand. And we can talk about that. But you sure as hell aren’t going to keep cussing and intimidating Miss Caroline.”

“But, she-” Michael starts, but upon seeing the thunderous look on Theo’s face, he stops.

“Michael, did Miss Caroline come to your house and tell your mother to slap you around?” Theo asks.

“No,” Michael says quietly.

“Did she encourage her to run off on you or just be a shitty mother in general?” Theo continues.

“No,” the teenager repeats.

“Did Miss Caroline ask to be screamed at in her own classroom or tell Mr. Hale she was requiring a parent conference as a term of condition to return to her class?”

“No,” Michael says again, looking as if someone had kicked his puppy.

“So, did Miss Caroline do anything at all to earn all this hatred from you?” Theo asks finally.

“I don’t guess so,” Michael says, now looking at his feet.

“Apologize,” Theo says, his voice leaving no room for argument.

“Miss Caroline, I am really sorry. You didn’t deserve me being such a shit. I’m sorry,” Michael says with tears in his eyes.

I wipe the tears that have gathered in my eyes as well, before I say, “I understand Michael. I am so sorry this happened to you. But I will help you figure all this out. And I hope you understand, but I will have to report this conversation.”

“I know,” Michael says, looking defeated.

“Michael,” Theo says, “Listen, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I think foster care could be really good for you. I was around your age when I went into the system, and while our stories are different, I think it will be a better situation than you’ve been in for years. I will help make sure the people they place you with are trustworthy. You don’t have to do this alone if you can let us help you.”

I feel a pang in my chest at the loss both the boys in front of me have been through. If you had told me a month ago that Theo would be this invested in a teenager from Springside, I would have never believed it, but I had to admit I was falling fast for the man who was always full of surprises.

We talk for a minute before we decide that I should text Mrs. Belle. She runs the local Department of Human Resources office, and since her daughter is on my cheer team, I have her cell number. After sending her a text, I tell Michael to plan for her to be in touch sometime tomorrow morning.

Theo gives Michael his cell number and tells him to call when he talks to her. Michael thanks both of us before walking back into the darkness.

Theo turns towards me and holds out his arms for me. I run to him and he holds me for a moment, both of us trying to calm down after the surge of adrenaline we felt tonight. After a moment, he blows out a breath before saying, “Well what do you say Miss Tyler, you still up for a little date night?”

“Heck yes.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

THEO

Ican’t say that the earlier events of tonight had been what I was expecting, but I had to admit, I liked being able to help.

When I first walked out to the dark parking lot to find a man yelling in Caroline’s face, I was ready to lose it. But after I realized who it was, I mostly felt sorry for the kid. I may have lost my parents too, but I never doubted their love for me and that was more than could be said for Michael. I meant what I said about helping him, and I intend to check up on him as much as I can.

But now that things had calmed down, all I can think about is the fact that I’m finally alone with Caroline after one of the longest weeks of my life. I felt like total shit when I woke up this morning and realized I left her hanging with her flirty text, but I intend to make it up to her.

“So, Sunshine, what do you feel like doing? We could get something to eat or go to your apartment or-” I say but she cuts me off.

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