Coleen sprang to her feet instantly. “What’s this about going to the bedroom? Can’t you just talk here in the living room? I would like to hear too.”
Molly tilted her head curiously, staring at Chad. “Yeah, Chad, why all the secrecy? Seems you are going to do something to me.”
Sometimes, Chad felt like he was about to blow a fuse. He even contemplated having a private talk with Andre about who taught whom between Molly and Mia the art of being annoying.
“Fine, if you think so, go wash my car outside.”
On her first day off from work, Molly was dragged out by Chad to clean his car.
Turning on the garden hose, Chad sprayed the cool water at his sister’s slim legs peeping out from under her nightgown and her bare feet in flip-flops.
“What’s the deal with Jack when I’m not around?”
The mention of Jack set Molly off. “Chad, Jack took advantage of me. He touched my chest.”
Chad’s hand clenched instantly. There was a harsh look flitting across his eyes. “Tell me everything.”
Molly went over to Chad and demonstrated the incident as she narrated it, “His mother was stopped, so he wanted to stop me. But his hand ‘accidentally’ landed on my chest. Look, this is how he grabbed me. It was disgusting.”
“Didn’t you have your pocketknife with you?” Chad gritted his teeth, and his knuckles were cracking.
Molly replied with a pout, “I left it in the office. I did slap him, but that didn’t quite satisfy me.”
Turning off the hose, Chad stared at Molly. “I’ll make sure you get satisfied.”
After a pause, he added, “If someone molests you, it’s not illegal to defend yourself.”
Molly asked, “But what if I overdo it?”
Chad replied, “You’re a petite girl. How can you overdo it?”
Molly didn’t quite get what he meant. By the time she thought to ask, Chad had already returned to the living room.
Left alone was a girl in a green nightgown. Her delicate skin was glistening. Her legs were still wet from the water. There was a puddle by her feet. Under the sun’s rays, she looked like a pixie standing there. She shouted, “Chad, do I still need to wash your car?”
No response.
Molly looked at the hose. “I guess his silence means I don’t need to wash it anymore. I’m done then!”
And then she ran back into the living room too.
In the afternoon, Molly called Mia to share the news of Chad’s return. “Mia, quick question. Do you ever black out when you drink?”
Mia thought of her own embarrassing drunk incidents. “I wish I could, but the universe has other plans!”
Mia asked back, “Do you?”
Molly replied, “I don’t want to, but the universe insists.”
The sisters both envied each other.
Jack was attacked while in detention. Somehow he ended up being carried out with a broken arm. Hearing about this, Andre called Chad, “What did Molly complain about this time that got you so riled up?”
Chad said, “She just mentioned something I can’t tolerate.”
Switching topics, Chad brought up something more serious, “Finley is being transferred to court next week. Are you planning to attend?”
“I’ll be there.”
Chad continued, “Tom is still being pursued, no news yet.”
Andre suggested, “Try investigating the back-alley clinics.”
“Huh?” Chad was taken aback. Then he realized Andre, soon-to-be father, must be thinking of Holly who was pregnant when she left. Pregnant women needed prenatal check-ups. Holly couldn’t risk being seen at regular hospitals, so they had to resort to secret clinics.
“Thanks for the tip.”
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