BROKEN By: RONNEA STILES

James

James 6

My dad had just gotten home and my mom and I were all in the family room discussing about this mysterious girl.
"She can't stay here".
Said my dad.
I started to get a little angry.
"Why not? I told her we would help her".
"Son, we can find other ways to help her but her living with us isn't one. We know nothing about this girl and I'm not putting my family in danger".
"Dad you can tell she's just a kid! We're supposed to be Gods people but we can't even help her!"
My mom got into my face.
"You better watch yoself now . . . your father is right we know nothing of this girl I'm sure there's other ways".
"Like what?!"
"We can give her enough money for her to spend a coupla nights at a motel until she can get ahold of her family".
"Dad she said it herself she has no family".
"Son she's sixteen years old she had to come from somewhere".
"James hunny let your father and I discuss about this matter and maybe God will give us some strength, but right now you should go check on her. I told her to come down for dinner she should be ready now".
I rolled my eyes now irritated at my parents, but I listened and left the family room. I walked up the steps and went to the guest bathroom where she was. I opened the door and immediately she jumped, I startled, forgetting to knock before I came in. I saw her with a white towel wrapped around her body. My eyes grew wide with embarrassment. So I hurried and closed the door. As I was walking away the door opened up.
"You can come in if you want".
She said with a smirk on her face.
My body most certainly wanted to walk into the bathroom with her but I knew it wasn't right.
"No it's fine I'll wait out here . . . sorry for busting in on you like that I should have knocked".
"It's ok . . . I'm putting clothes on now . . . Thank you".
"No problem . . . I'm James by the way".
"I'm Queen".
What a beautiful name I thought.
We both stared at each other for about a minute until I shook out of my daze.
"Well . . . I'll be downstairs, dinner is ready".
I then hurried down the steps. For some odd reason this girl has all of my attention.
~
We were in the middle of praying, me, mom, dad, and my sister when Queen came into the eating room. Everyone stared at her. She looked twice as gorgeous now that she was all cleaned up.
"Grab a plate and join us".
My mother said.
I watched her in astonishment as she piled greens, dressing, salad, ham, potatoes, and mac and cheese all onto her plate. She then sat down and started gobbling her food down. Everyone was looking at her crazy, her head hadn't even lifted for just a second but I think she felt us staring because she suddenly stopped and looked up with food stuffed in her mouth. I chuckled a bit.
"There's always seconds".
My sister said.
I never understood my sister she always had a snobby attitude. She was a twenty year old brat. She had short sandy brown hair was thick in size and was lighter than everyone in the family.
"It's fine I'm full".
I could see in Queens face that she was lying, but even I wouldn't want to eat either if I had a girl staring me down as I ate.
"My clothes look like they fit wonderful on you . . . you can keep them".
I was surprised at how nice my sister was acting I was afraid she'd be more sarcastic. Queen looked at what she was wearing then looked up at my sister and smiled.
"So umm what's your name?"
My father asked.
"Queen . . . My name is Queen".
"Queen where is your family?"
"I . . . my mother died when I was 10 and my father . . ."
She started to move around aimlessly in her chair. I could tell she was starting to feel uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry to hear that . . . come again though what did you say about your father, I didn't quite understand you?"
She looked somberly at my father.
"I should go".
She got up, everyone watched her as she did. Why was she leaving?
"Wait Queen you don't have to leave dear . . .we can give you some money so you can sleep at a motel".
"This was really nice ma'am but I'll just leave".
My mother rolled her eyes, as Queen left the table and pointed them towards my father.
"What? I asked her two questions".
"Bishop Jones where is your God at . . . you see this poor young girl has no where to stay".
My mom got up and followed Queen. My dad, sister, and me all looked at each other until I got up and started to follow mom.
~
When I had gotten to the door Queen and my mom where just sitting down on the front steps talking. I didn't want to intrude so I just listened in on their conversation.
"Hunny you can stay here for as long as you want okay . . . we also have a church you can come to too".
"I ain't real godly ma'am ".
"Oh dear! Its okay I wasn't so godly at first either until I met my wonderful husband Bishop Jones thirty five years ago . . . I'm sure you'll find all the help you need there".
"Thank you..."
"I tell you what . . . I'm going to give you two hundred dollars and you can do whatever you need to do with it just please be safe and careful and come to church".
"Ma'am I can't take your money . . . You've already done enough by feeding me letting me use the shower and clothing me . . . really I just can't."
I watched as my mom giggled and wrapped her arms around Queen.
"Child please take the money I can tell you need it more then I do . . ."
That's when they both turned around to see me. I stepped back a little when Queen and my mother got up.
"Well James baby since you're here you can take Queen up to a motel".
"Yea sure . . . are you ready now?"
Queen nodded her head. My mom winked at me as we walked to my truck. I was jovial to see my family helping Queen out.