Page 75 of Loyal
“Yes…” I trail off as dread rolls through me.
I’ve seen women like her before but she can’t be…right?
“Hi, I’m Andrea Stacks. I’m with child protective services. We’ve had a report filed against you,” she says, confirming my worst fear.
“Excuse me? I’m sorry, but you have to be mistaken,” I say, shaking my head.
She gives me a sympathetic smile. “If your daughter’s name is Farrah, then I’m afraid not. May I come in?”
Wordlessly, I step aside, and she walks inside.
“What’s going on?” Farrah asks, coming out of her room.
“Hi, are you Farrah?” Andrea asks.
“Yes…” Farrah confirms while shooting me a curious look.
While Andrea fills her in on who she is, I watch my daughter’s face. Confusion fills me as my daughter’s face stays blank, giving nothing away.
Does she know something I don’t? Is she the one who called? Is this a shock?
Andrea rests her hand on my arm, scaring me. She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, I was just telling you that Farrah and I are going to go to her room, to talk…”
I close my eyes and nod. “Of course. Sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sure this is all unexpected. We will be out shortly.”
“You can say that again,” I mutter under my breath as she walks away.
When the door clicks shut, I look around the room, trying to see it through Andrea’s eyes. Will she make notes about my cleaning supplies being on the floor? What about the light that’s out in the kitchen? Is she going to judge me for having my curtains down even though they are just in the wash?
Loyal. I should call Loyal.
As soon as the thought hits me, I push it away. He has other things to deal with right now. He doesn’t need my bullshit.Besides, I’m a strong, capable, independent woman. I can handle this.
Blowing out a breath and with heavy feet, I walk over to where I was cleaning just minutes ago and pick it up. I take it into the kitchen and dump it down the sink. Without thinking about it, I start washing the few dishes from when I made pancakes this morning.
For the next thirty minutes I do whatever I can to keep my hands and my mind off of what’s happening down the hall. When Andrea finally emerges, though, I feel like I’m about to pass out from my heart racing so fast.
Logically I know I’ve done nothing wrong. That my home is safe, but that doesn’t mean a surprise visit isn’t jarring and doesn’t make you question everything.
“Sorry that took so long. Would you mind if I walked around and took pictures?”
“Go ahead.”
And like a damn creeper, I watch her go room to room.
After she’s done, she turns back to me. “Would you mind stepping outside with me?”
“Of course,” I say, robotically following after her.
It’s only once we are in the driveway does she turn toward me, giving me a smile.
“Let me start off by saying you are in no trouble.”
“Really?” I ask, taking what feels like my first breath since she showed up.
“Really, but I am concerned,” she says, making my heart sink.
