Page 24 of The Man Next Door
She flips the folder open. “Of course you do.”
She hands me a printed sheet; some basic information and a photo. The eyes staring back at me remind me of my own at that age. This girl has the same messy dirty hair and cynical expression I had. This kid has seen a few things. I can already tell. It breaks my heart.
“Her name is Madison Perez, and her parents are both addicts, and fighting for custody with her aunt, Madison’s mother’s sister.”
I scratch my head. “Say all that again, Please. I’m not usually that slow but—”
She smiles. “Madison’s aunt, Colleen, wants full custody because her younger sister, Colette, Madison’s mom, is an addict and so is her boyfriend, Raine.”
I nod, taking in the info. Nine years old. Goes to public school. Behavioral problems. No serious health problems. Mother: Colette Clarke. Twenty-five. Father: Raine Perez. Twenty-eight. No siblings.
“I thought since you… given your history.” Melanie hands me the folder. “I thought this case might be perfect for you.”
“It is,” I tell her. “I’ll do you proud.”
She smiles sweetly. “I know you will.”
When I get home, I’m on a high. I’m planning to celebrate with a bottle of red, pasta leftovers and Netflix. But before long, I’m brought back down to earth when I realize that I’ve run out of toilet paper and need to make a trip to the pharmacy. My quiet relaxing night will have to wait.
