Page 135 of The Wicked
“I fucking knew this bitch was rich,” Dog said with a grin that showed he had been suspecting.
“So you didn’t climb up ventilators to get an education,” Milk mused. “Wow.”
Upper shrugged.
Dog slapped his knees. “No wonder he’s Upper, cause…”
“Upper class,” I completed.
“Got to keep some of it,” Upper said.
“Still doesn’t make sense,” Devil said. “Just saying.”
I jabbed him in the ribs.
Blowing out a breath, I sat up. “I’ll go next.”
The room went silent, all eyes on me.
“I—” My throat clogged, and I cleared it. “I put that anklet on myself. To remember who I am. I forget sometimes.”
“Oh damn,” Dog said.
“Sucks that I lost it,” I said with a chuckle.
“You don’t need it anymore,” Devil said beside me. “We’re here to remind you every day who you are.”
“I agree,” Upper said with a smile, and Milk offered me a reassuring nod.
“My turn,” Milk said with a cautious smile.
We all waited for her to speak, and for a moment, her eyes glazed over like she was remembering what she was about to divulge.
“I found my mother hanging from her bedroom ceiling when I was nine. I didn’t call for help, didn’t leave the house. The guy who delivered milk to us every day was the one who noticed my mother never came to open the door. I survived on milk while her body grew rotten in her bedroom. On the fourth day, he was concerned, so he came into the house and saw her. Still hanging.”
This time, the silence was heavy.
“That’s…” Dog said. “I’m sorry, Milk.”
She nodded with an appreciative smile.
“You’re strong,” I told her. “Literally, every time someone calls you Milk, you have to remember.”
She shrugged. “I don’t want to forget.”
I’d never felt closer to every single one of them than I did now. Everything just had… meaning.
A comfortable silence settled, and a smile crept up my lips. “I love you guys. More than anything.”
They didn’t need to say it back; I saw the response on their faces.
“We should do this more often,” Dog said, “because I’d really love to know how the fuck he’s related to Marino.” He motioned to Devil.
“And how rich Upper is,” Milk added.
“Maybe next time when we fight. For now”—I got to my feet—“I’m fucking starving, and I need food.”
Upper sighed, holding his stomach. “Me too.”
