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“Why?”
“Because you’re different. You don’t talk to me like I’m a kid. Same with the twins.”
“They seem like good boys.”
“They’re hell on wheels. That’s what Ink says.”
“Within your hearing?”
“Heck no,” she said. “But I’m good at sneaking around.”
“I can tell.”
“I don’t want to ruin this. I got a good thing going on here and Betsy will worry if she knows I was out here. The twins said we aren’t to let Betsy worry. We take care of her.”
“I thought she would take care of you three.”
“That’s what we let her think.”
“You do? I don’t really understand. Don’t adults protect children?”
“I’m not saying that Betsy doesn’t look after me. So far, she makes really good food. And she tucks me in at night. And reads stories. But some adults also need us kids to look out for them too.”
“Oh.”
“Did your mom tuck you in at night?”
“My mom died when I was young. But yes, she did.”
“What about after she died?”
“I had to go live with my aunt and uncle.”
“Were they nice?” Zippy asked.
“No. They weren’t.”
Zippy nodded. “After my mom died, I had to go live with this foster family. The dad was a jerk. I threatened to stab him. It got me in trouble, though. Did your aunt and uncle hit you?” Zippy asked.
“No. They used to yell at me. Call me names. But my cousin . . .” Cate reached up to touch the faint scar on her lip.
“He gave you that?” Zippy asked.
“Yes. He wanted me to . . . to do something I didn’t want to do. And he pushed me over. I ripped my lip open on a rough piece of ground. My aunt and uncle were worried I’d tell people what happened, so I had to promise not to tell anyone and they told me James, my cousin, wouldn’t go near me again.”
“That true?”
“No. They couldn’t keep him away. But my brother, Rhodes, kept me as safe as he could. Although I never told him what happened either.”
Why was she talking about this with a child? That wasn’t acceptable.
“Sounds like your cousin needs punishing.”
“Yes, same as your foster father. Shall we go back now?”
“Sure!” Zippy said cheerfully. “Follow me.”
Turning, she followed her.
