Shut In

What Girl?

Clam Chowder, Mussels in Red Wine, Fried Fish with Garlic Sauce, Fried Squid, Fish Tempura,  Scallops in Saffron Sauce, Barbequed Shrimp,  Boatman's Stew, Broiled Fish with Romescu, Broiled Herrings with Dill and Mustard, Paella, Polish-Styke Herring, Plaice and Mushroom Turnovers, Shrimp and Ginger, Teuite Meunière aux Herbs, Shrimp Egg Rice, Baked Stuffed Mackerel,  Crawfish Etoufée, Boiled Maine Lobster,  Trout with Oyster Stuffing, and Snapper with Gennel and Orange Salad.

I know its more than needed...  but the longer I waited... the more anxious I get... I mean... Joshua was taking care of everything. .. I won't be getting the new game til next month... my robots are watering the gardens... my other robots are maintaining the parks... nothing else to be done really... just cook and wait for my bro to get back... my awesome bro that fixes everything without a second thought.

A knock at the door,  "Zavier residence."

"Hello... I rent from you," Lucas smiles and hands me an envelope,  "This month's rent."

I nod, "Since you passed inspection..." I reach over and grab a $50 gift card to the mall and hand it to him, "Have fun."

he smiles, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," I nod as i notice a little girl in my front yard lying in the bushes... sleeping and dirty... "Go get that girl for me?" I stare at her, not leaving my door way. I stare more.

Lucas walks over and pokes her face, "Excuse me?"

she stares, "What?"

"Are you lost?" I can hear Lucas ask her.

"No. why would I be?" she stares.

"Where so you live?"

"Momma say I live out."

My heart feels torn and I call, "Wanna come on inside? Let me call the police to make sure you're okay? Come get a warm meal!!" Something about that girl just broke my heart... her bright blue eyes seemed broken... her blonde hair a mangled mess... clothes tattered and torn...

she walks up, "Who are you?"

"Dameon Zavier," I smile and offer my hand to her.

"Momma rents from you," she smiles up at me with innocence in her eyes.

My heart sinks, "Huh? what's your name?"

"Marabel Marshal," she answers and I sigh.

"I know who you belong to... did you run away or-" I notice she has bruises, "Did you get hurt?"

"Momma...." Marabel looks away. "Mind if I come in?"

Lucas looks at me, "You okay?"

"Yeah," I nod and usher the girl inside,  shutting the door after he leaves.

"Smells good," Marabel nods and smiles. Marabel's mom was raped, and Marabel was born after. I knew this much from the newspaper.

"Wanna wash up?" I stare and then my phone goes off. I answer, "Moshi moshi."

"Hey Dameon, Lucas called me. You took in Marabel?" Joshua seems perplex.

"She's hungry and dirty," I answer, "Imma set her up..."

"The police are coming over with me...they want to take that girl to a new home or something," Joshua answers.

"But... that won't be here..."

"Huh?"

"She goes to school here.... I can't just let her leave like that..." I frown, "I mean... I cant just let her leave like that..." I lock the front door.

Joshua laughs over the phone, "You have a want for a kid? I thought you hated them."

I snap, "Joshua! I think she deserves privilege!"

Joshua let a stunned silence settle, then he speaks, "I'll agree to help you," he was totally going to put a catch, "If you agree to go out to eat with me at the mall. Normal clothes, okay?"

My minds blanks, "Out...side?"

"Are you willing? Give the girl a life she will love or foster care since the rest of the family is like the mother," Joshua barters.

"Satan..." I mutter in defeat.

"Tomorrow, after my shift," Joshua had a smile in his voice, "I'll pick you up. I'm sure the kid that's coming can watch her."

There's too much going on... too much... too much change... I look at Marabel then sigh as I see him pull in. I hang up and unlock the front door for him. Joshua comes up and the police drive in as he opens the front door, "Dameon, I'll handle them. Don't speak...." he eyes the shirt I had on. It was a Minecraft shirt he got me a few years ago. He looked like a million words were jumbled, and then the police walked up.

Hey... I rent to that guy... I laugh a little in my head. It was Gerald.

"Landlord, what's the problem?" he eyes me, "Something about Marabel?"

I put a hand on Joshua, "I got it. Fill in if I leave cracks." He nods at me and I walk over to Gerald. "Officer Gerald, she was in my bushes outside. Lucas called her over for me and then I let her in. I want to watch over her instead of her mother."

"I can't make that decision," Gerald eyes me.

Joshua pipes up, "Then step away. It was a misunderstanding on my part."

Catching on, Gerald nods, "Then I'll leave you two alone with advice. Make Marabel's mom sign a contract that says she gives you full custody over Marabel... then go to court."

Joshua nods, "No pay offs, so it's legal."

"Yep," Gerald nods.

I smile, "Thanks guys."

I look out at Joshua who was looking at Marabel now. Gerald left to report it was a false alarm. Marabel eyes Joshua as well, "I'm Marabel Marshal. Who are you?"

"Joshua James," he answers, eyeing her intently.

Marabel looks to me, "Clean?"

"Do you need someone there?" I eye her.

"No," she shakes her head calmly.

I smile, "I'll go get one of my old shirts for you..."

"Okay," she nods at me, "Take?"

"Might help," I nod and pick her up, "Right over... here..." I walk into the guest room that was styled for Hetalia and then the bathroom. She watches as I grab a towel, "Bath or shower?" I ask quickly.

"Shower," she answers and I nod.

"I'll let you get to it then," I nod and go to grab her a shirt, Joshua already had one ready for me. "Thanks," I grab it and put it on the bathroom counter once I knew she was in the shower. "Shirts on the counter."

"Thanks," she was all set by herself. I walk out of the bathroom and into the Hetalia room, only to see Joshua.

"Dameon," Joshua eyes me tenderly, "about going out." He seems nervous about me.

"Yeah, I agreed to one and will think about the other," my voice shook and I hold my hands together to keep from shaking as bad. "Let's wait for Marabel."

"You'll do it?" Joshua was stunned.

"I will," I nod and take a shaky breath, "I want to." I eye the food.

"But what are we waiting for Marabel for?"

"Food."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Alrighty then."

"You mind if..." I take a deep breath, "We...we..." I slap my own arm, "We walk around too."

"Admitting you want to?" Joshua's eyes scan mine for any jest.

"I admit..." I regain my composure, "I ADMIT NOTHING TO HE WHO CAN'T BEAT ME IN A RUNNING MATCH!!!"

Joshua laughs and holds me tightly, "You serious?"

I laugh and bat him away when he starts assaulting my sides, "Joshua James!!"