Page 3 of Guarding Glenda

“You’re such a sucker for those ladies.” I scoffed.

He whipped his head at me, his brown eyes piercing. “Are you sure you wanna go there, brother?” He turned his gaze toward the house. Even though he’d been Glenda’s comfort dick since Reggie died, I didn’t hold any grudges on him. He took care of her when she wouldn’t let me. When he got with Linny, that stopped. Maybe I hoped she’d come around when that happened, but if anything, Glenda got more closed off.

“Anyway,” I said, “she woke up. She needs a few minutes before we let Sofie go back in.”

Bama gripped my shoulder. “Hey, that’s good news.”

Nodding and watching Bruce corral Sofie back closer to the house, I said, “Well, she’s not happy.”

Bama gave my shoulder a squeeze then dropped his hand. “She’s a tough one, man. But she’ll come around.”

“Will she?”

The silence between us lingered as Sofie and Bruce ran in circles yards away from us and the crickets started their evening songs.

We stood quietly, finishing our beers as Sofie got Bruce tuckered out. The backdoor squeaked open so we both turned to see who was there.

Sam waved from the porch but came down to where we were standing. “She’s a little more settled now and asked if Sofie was here.”

Bama tossed his bottle in the trash can that sat under the porch then called for Sofie. “Hey, let’s go see Miss Glenda. She’s awake.”

Sofie stopped in her tracks, her big blue eyes wide as saucers and the ball fell from her hand. Bruce grabbed it, wagging his tail as he looked up at her. Like a bolt of lightning, she sprinted toward the stairs but Bama reached out and easily scooped her up.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Bama said. “I know you’re excited, but we gotta calm down. She still isn’t feeling great, okay?”

Her eyes were still wide as she wrapped her arms around Bama’s shoulders and nodded. “Got it. I can be calm.”

She really was an amazing kid. After all she’d been through and all she’d seen, she had a cheerful demeanor and was well behaved, for a five-year-old. But definitely wise beyond her years. But the former probably lended to the latter.

Once they’d gone back inside, Sam sighed. “You sure you can take care of her?”

“I got it.” I scooped up the ball Bruce drooped at my feet, then tossed it for him.

“Listen, man. She’s still physically broken and weak. Mentally, well…”

“Well, what?” I snapped.

Sam turned so he was facing me. “Her PTSD wasn’t under control and she stopped going to group. This may set her back. Way back.”

“I can handle it.”

“But can you handle her?” he asked.

“Doc, stop talking in circles.”

He grimaced. “This may cause undue stress on an already fragile woman.”

“Nobody will take care of her better than me. And maybe it’s time she stopped lying to herself.” Taking the last gulp of beer then tossing the bottle in the trash, I said, “She’s never gonna get over it if she doesn’t wake the fuck up.”

“Leigh, the mind doesn’t heal the same as a broken bone.”

Sam took a few steps back as I crowded him. “But what fucking good is it to let her sit in ignorant misery? Huh?”

“Leigh, I say this with all due respect… you better get the fuck out of my face.”

My jaw ticked as I stared at Sam. He was Hammer’s cousin, and he’d seen some shit himself, even though he was a doctor.

I stepped back, wiping my hand down my face. “She stays here. If I need help, I’ll let you know.”