The dragonflies tattoist - Freenbecky

Chapter 10

When Freen got home, she curled up next to Jan's small frame and cried into her shoulder. Eve and Malee had already left for work since they didn't have any days off, so the only comfort she found was in her older adoptive sister.

Even though Jan's hugs could probably have cheered up Moaning Myrtle herself, that day they had no effect on Freen. She just kept soaking Jan's shoulder with her tears.

"Is it her again?"

Freen nodded, unable to lie.

The tears burned her cheeks, but in a way, they were also a release. Part of her almost wanted to keep crying.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Freen shook her head. She didn't want to revisit the memory of Ratree or the sadness and humiliation she'd seen in Rebecca Armstrong's beautiful eyes. She didn't want to think about that ordinary, annoying man taking possession of Becky's body or about how Becky had done nothing to stop him.

She didn't want to believe that Becky lived like that, and she certainly didn't want to accept that maybe Becky wasn't as perfect as she'd once thought.

"Did she run away again, like last time?"

Freen shook her head, letting out a small sob. She wasn't sure what was worse, Becky had run away days ago or she had slept with Ratree just to protect her.

Silence.

"Freen..." Jan sighed, her voice soft. "Have you thought about staying away from her?" Freen didn't even take a second to consider it.

"I can't stay away from her, Jan," she sobbed, and it was the truth.

She had to keep modeling, and Becky had to keep paying her so her family could live comfortably, even if it meant doing this indecent work. Going back to that apartment meant falling even more in love, and the overwhelming need to make sure her family was okay stood as a massive obstacle to any attempt she might make to stop seeing Becky.

"Did she threaten you, Freen?" Jan sounded genuinely worried now.

Freen sniffled before answering.

"She's not like that, Jan. It's just that..." Freen paused for a moment before finishing the thought. "...I'm screwed, alright?"

Jan hugged her even tighter and let out a deep sigh. In that moment, Freen realized her sister understood exactly how she felt.

"Not as much as I do," Jan admitted.

Of course. Freen had been so wrapped up in her own world that she hadn't even noticed Jan was crying too, or that there was a strange melancholy in her voice. She hadn't picked up on her shaky words, the uneven breaths, or the slight tremble in her body. All Freen could think about was how nothing could possibly be worse than Becky sleeping with that stupid guy.

"What's going on, Jan?" Freen asked, lifting her head slightly to meet her sister's eyes. For a brief moment, both of their gazes were equally vulnerable, and anyone looking at them would've easily believed they were biological sisters.

"I'm pregnant, Freen."

_____

Freen and Jan slept curled up together that night, comforting one another. When Eve and Malee came stumbling into the room at four in the morning, both of them shot up in bed, startled. Their sisters had come in, dancing to some Beyoncé song, and promptly crashed into the beds, causing the creaky springs to mix with their exaggerated cries of pain.

"My pinky toe!" Eve yelped, hopping around the room. "The freaking toe!"

"I think I broke a nail, Eve!" Malee whined.