Page 47 of Dare to Dance
With Raven’s hand in mine, we strolled into the garden. Ms. Waters lingered behind. Tourists stopped to admire the George Washington Statue and take pictures.
Raven glanced up at me with the darkest blue eyes. “Mommy, will you take my picture?”
“Let’s go see what the ducks are up to.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her I didn’t own a camera or a cell phone with one, for that matter.
“Oooh, there’s a swan boat.” She took off running, which wasn’t surprising since she loved the swan boats.
“Wait for me.” I hurried my pace, catching her at the water’s edge of the garden’s lagoon. “How about we go on a swan ride?”
“Yay!” She tugged my hand, urging me to hurry.
We ran back to Ms. Waters, who was lingering near the George Washington Statue.
“We’re going on a swan ride,” Raven gushed.
Ms. Waters angled her head. “We are?”
“Would you like to join us? I’ve got money.” I didn’t know if money was a concern or if she didn’t like boats.
“Tell me more.” Ms. Water’s voice hitched.
“I’m waitressing at Firefly restaurant and bar. I’m also staying with one of the waitresses. I know I have to get my own place, but it’s a start.”
“Is that how you got the new shoes?” she asked.
“Mommy, let’s go,” Raven whined.
I squatted down. “Just a minute. Okay?”
She wrapped her arms around my leg as I straightened to my full height, holding her to me. “The shoes are part of my waitressing uniform.” I was lying, but I wasn’t ready to dive into the subject of Kross yet.
“That’s great, Ruby,” Ms. Waters said. “I’ll make note of that in your file. You know, I’ll have to confirm your employment.”
“Of course.” I made a mental note to prepare Pete. He was the one who answered the phone behind the bar. I should probably fill Tommy in too. I shivered. If I told Tommy about Raven, then he would hold that knowledge over my head and use it to goad me into another slimy deal.
“Mommy.” Raven’s voice sliced through my fear.
“Yes, baby girl. We’re going.”
“Ruby,” Ms. Waters said. “Is everything all right? You look a little pale.”
“Fine.” I couldn’t trust Tommy to keep a secret. If I pissed him off, then he would somehow screw me, not literally, but he could blab to Dillon or Kross, although Kross wasn’t allowed at Firefly.Stupid thought. Kross will be at the fight tonight.
I wouldn’t ruin my time with Raven. “Let’s go for that swan ride.”
Take out your frustrations on the girl you’re fighting tonight.My stomach knotted. Tommy would tell Ms. Waters I was fighting illegally. No, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. If he did, then he would only be ratting on himself. Then another scary thought surfaced. Kross had brought up the possibility of the cops raiding Firefly. There was a real chance of that occurring since the fights were illegal. If that were to happen, then I could land in jail and kiss my chances of getting Raven back good-bye. If I didn’t fight, then I would lose my waitressing job.
Raven let go of my leg and began tugging on my hand, pulling me toward the swan rides.
I sighed heavily and painted on a happy face. At least, I hoped my smile reached my eyes. “Are you going with us?” I asked Ms. Waters. She had to keep a close eye on us, but it wasn’t as if I could flee with Raven. The boat left from the dock where we were standing and returned to the same spot. I wouldn’t dare try anything, anyway.
“It is a nice day,” she said. “The sun feels good. Sure.”
Raven talked the whole time between the ticket booth and getting on the boat. She told me about the new doll her foster mom had given her, and about her new friend, Matty. As I listened, I couldn’t help but feel happy and sad at the same time. I was so thankful she had a warm bed to sleep in and food in her belly. Yet the pain of her not being with me clenched my entire body as though I was pinned under a pile of cement rubble.Drop the illegal fighting and focus on waitressing.
The boat pulled away from the dock, carrying a handful of people in addition to the three of us. Raven sat in between Ms. Waters and me. As we glided down the lagoon, Raven went completely quiet, taking in her surroundings. I draped an arm over her, and she snuggled into me. My tears were on the verge of falling. I wanted to stay like this forever.
But forever was only fifteen minutes. So I closed my eyes, letting the light breeze wash over me. That sense of peace I had felt earlier waned as turmoil seeped into every pore. My hives bloomed with the memory of Norma’s words. “Kross could be your ticket to getting Raven back.” I rubbed a hand along Raven’s arm.
