Sweet Little Thing

“I have a sister,” I said knowing I couldn’t turn back now. I had to tell him everything. I’d admit it and deal with the outcome. I wasn’t asking for a hand out. I wasn’t hoping to get more money out of Portia. I’d come here simply because my mother had told me to. I had no other choice.

“Okay, I assume you have a family. What has that got to do with this?”

“She’s my only family. All I have left. Our mother died of pneumonia six months ago.” I paused.

“I’m listening,” he said waiting on me to continue.

I took a deep breath and let it out. I was nervous. This could be a mistake. But I was tired of keeping this a secret when it wasn’t something I should have to keep a secret. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t illegal. It was my life. Simple as that.

“Heidi. That’s her name. She got the better name. She was born second. I’m the oldest by three minutes.”

“You have a twin?” he asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise. “I was expecting you to tell me you had a little sister that you had to support. Wasn’t expecting a twin.”

I bit my bottom lip and looked away. The next part I had to tell him was the most important. It was what made me strong yet vulnerable at the same time. Heidi was my strength, yet taking care of her was where all my fear came from. What if I couldn’t? What if I failed her?

“She’s . . . special. The most special person I’ve ever known. She has been the one person in my life to always bring a smile to my face. To remind me how there is always something in life to be happy about. That joy can come from a single hug. Heidi and I aren’t identical. Not just that, but I was born normal. She wasn’t. Heidi has Down syndrome.”

He didn’t say anything. We stood there in the kitchen in silence and it felt like a massive weight was sitting on my chest as I waited for him to say something. Or maybe I needed to say more? To continue explaining.

“Where is she now?”

“A home your mother put her in when I came here after our mother’s death. It’s called Among the Spanish Moss. I didn’t want to put Heidi in a home but I can’t work and take care of her. She needs constant supervision and our mother did that every day until I got home from school. Then she worked evenings while I took care of Heidi. When I came here your mother gave me a job and put Heidi in a wonderful place. They are good to her there and she has friends. But, it’s not cheap.”

Jasper’s forehead was pinched in a deep frown. “Portia was paying for Heidi’s care? That was where all the money was going?”

I nodded.

His frown remained. I felt my stomach knot up.

“Sundays . . . you leave here to see her, don’t you?”

I nodded again.

“The cookies,” he let out a laugh that held no humor. “And I thought you’d made them for some guy.”

“She likes cookies. And so does the staff there. I like to take them treats.”

He sighed and leaned back against the counter crossing his arms over his chest. “How much does the place cost a month?”

“It was six thousand. But I’m having her moved to a shared room which will decrease it to four thousand. She likes company. If I’d even known that was an option in the beginning I would have asked for that. But Portia had arranged everything and I had no clue. I was so grateful I didn’t question her. I also had no idea how much she was paying until this past week. Our deal was I worked and she gave me fifty dollars a week for gas and any other needs. The rest of my pay was to take care of Heidi. There were other places she could have put Heidi. I know I could find a more affordable home but she loves the people there. She’s adjusted. Losing mom was harder on her because she didn’t understand. Moving her from the only home she had known to live with strangers had been a huge adjustment for her. The idea of doing it again breaks my heart. I do not expect you to pay for that of course. I agree with you that it was too much. Especially now that I know how much it is. But if I could be allowed to work the second job, it will help.”

He didn’t say anything at first. I waited. I’d said all I could say.

“One last question. Why did you come here? To Portia?”

I wasn’t sure if Portia wanted him to know this part or not. But I was in too deep now. I had to confess everything. “My mother gave me a piece of paper with Portia’s name and address the day before she died. She was so sick. Her fever was high and she was delirious. She said the hospital bill would break us and refused to go. I thought she’d be fine at home, that she only had a bad cold. Then the coughing got worse. When she gave me the name and number and told me that if something happened to her to call that lady, I got scared.

When she went to sleep that night, I called 9–1-1. They came and took her and she was admitted to the hospital. But it was too late. She was too far gone. The day after her funeral, the landlord told me we were behind two months on rent. He hated to do it, but if we didn’t pay he’d have to evict us. I packed up our things and we came here, not knowing what to expect. Portia looked at the note, and asked us to come inside. The next day Heidi was moved into her new home. I began work.”

I could see Jasper was questioning who my mother was and why Portia would help her. I did too. Maybe he could find it out because I’d had no luck. He didn’t appear angry though. Just lost in thought. Portia had been there when I needed her. I felt guilty telling him what had happened. It felt like I had turned on her. Not asked her for permission. She should have been warned, I owed her that.

“I know you and your mother have a strained relationship. But she was there for us when we had no one. I should have talked to her before I told you everything. It’s not fair that I didn’t.”

His lips tugged up in an almost smile. “Do you worry about everyone, Beulah Edwards?”

“No. Not anymore than anyone else does.”

He laughed softly and shook his head. “I’d question that—did I just listen to you explain your life? You’re incredibly naïve. You can keep your second job. Portia isn’t in trouble.”

I sighed, relieved he was understanding. “Thank you. Can I make you breakfast now?”

The almost smile stayed in place and he picked up his coffee cup and handed it to me. “I make shit coffee. Can you make me some? Yours is better. And I’d like something to eat. I’m up early, so I’ll get dressed and come back.”

I took his cup and watched him leave. For the first time he arrived here, I didn’t feel fear clawing at my neck.

JASPER WAS FINISHING BREAKFAST WHEN Stone walked into the house. He was dressed in worn out jeans and a black T-shirt. I’d never seen him dress up like Jasper. He left every day, but I didn’t think it was for work.

“She makes damn good waffles. She puts some fruit cream stuff on them and there are strawberries inside,” Jasper told Stone as I took his plate.

“Sounds delicious,” he said with no enthusiasm.

“Could you bring one of those things for my charming friend here?” Jasper said with a roll of his eyes.

“Of course,” I replied and turned to Stone. “Can I get you coffee?”

He didn’t look at me, but nodded. “Juice too. Orange. Fresh squeezed.”

I left with Jasper’s plate before they began talking. I wondered if he would tell Jasper about my second job this morning. Maybe he had been waiting until it was awkward for me. That fit him. To be cruel.