The Bitter Truth

Chapter 6 ~ A New Home

Jaime's eyes widened as she read the report. Something was fishy with this family, and she wanted to find out what it was.

She handed the report back to Ronny, who weirdly declined it with a solemn tone, "Keep it... if you're serious about helping to look into my mama's death, ya might need it." The car was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional sound of a passing vehicle outside the gate.

She could see the pain carved in his face as she tucked the report back into the Manila folder. Her gaze shifted back to Saija, the quiet but astute girl whose watchful eyes never seemed to rest. Jaime absorbed every detail in the seat behind her—the rough burlap sack, the scattered bruises, the dirt smudges, and the tattered clothes—and greeted her with a gentle smile.

"Hello again, sugar."

Saija responded briefly, offering a quick nod of recognition that seemed laden with anxiety.

"Alright then. You hungry?"

"I ain't got credits on me—" Ronny began to interject.

"I got it. It's fine."

"It aint fine, Jaime. I can't take charity; I gots to earn my keep."

"Let me feed the kid, Ronny. You can pay me back later if you insist.

With a reluctant sigh, he shook his head in defeat. "Fine."

Jaime put the car in gear and drove off, making a stop at a tiny bakery nearby. She entered, retrieved a slice of sugary bread and a fried egg, and then returned to the car, handing the paper bag to Saija.

Saija eagerly grabbed the food and retreated to the back corner of the seat, consuming it with an almost frantic urgency.

Concerned, Ronny glanced back at her and softly chided, "Take it easy; don't rush. You're gonna choke," but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Saija continued to devour her meal.

As Jaime settled back into the driver's seat and smoothly merged onto the street, Ronny persistently urged Saija to eat more calmly; concern etched on his face.

Frustrated by her apparent disregard for his advice, he eventually unbuckled his seatbelt. He reached back to take the food from her trembling hands gently.

Saija didn't resist him, but tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him, her cheeks stuffed, her expression a blend of frustration and sadness.

"Slow down before ya choke. Hear?" he said, his tone firm but caring.

However, the child remained silent, her eyes flashing with a mix of ice-cold anger and hurt.

"Saija, do you understand?" Ronny repeated, but there was still no answer. Frustrated and bewildered, he muttered to himself, "Jesus Christ," while running a hand through his hair in exasperation.

"Did she talk at the station?" he asked Jaime, who shook her head while skillfully navigating the vehicle down a quiet road.

"Not to me, at least."

"My patience is witherin' like dandelions," Ronny exclaimed, handing the food back to Saija and offering a little harsher scolding with a pointed finger, "Calm down."

He then slumped back into his seat, pretending not to notice as she stuffed the whole thing into her mouth. His eyes closed, and his hands ran down his face, weariness evident in every line of his body.

Jaime's mounting concern bubbled up, and she couldn't hold it in any longer. She turned to Ronny and asked with a touch of urgency, "Do you have a plan?"