Wasteland

X

Max

I sit across from Rosa, watching her copy the words wrote for her over and over. Her scrawl is very clearly that of a beginner, like a child just starting school. But she has picked up the things I've taught her impressively. She's saying the words aloud as she writes.

"My...name...is...Rosa," She says with great concentration. "I...like...to...play...checkers."

After the eighth time of rewriting, I gently take the pencil from her hand. "I think that's enough for now, your hand's going to get tired. You did great today."

Rosa's smile is full of pride. "I'm going to give it to Ray. She says she's been hanging up everything I give her."

I grin. "I know she's very proud of you." Because I know Ray cares for her mother than anyone on this planet, even herself. And seeing her in a position, receiving an opportunity she never thought she would is priceless. But in the back of her mind, and my own, is the nagging feeling that there could all be a catch to this—that something bigger and worse would come. That is why I'm here every day, on my own time, watching out.

I go into my work bag, pulling out the two sandwiches my mother had packed me with this morning when I had gone to visit her. I had specifically requested peanut butter and jelly because a few days ago, Rosa told me she remembered that they were her favorite.

We eat in silence for a little bit until I look up and see Rosa staring at me with deep thought. Before I could ask what was wrong, Ray burst in breathless and red-faced.

"Hi," She said to me. "I was hoping I could catch you before you left."

"Oh my goodness, Ray what did you do, run here?" Rosa ask her, standing to take her daughter's face in her hands.

"More like...briskly walked. Running would have looked sketchy." She glanced behind Rosa. "Can I speak to you outside for a moment?"

I nod, "Of course."

We step out into the hallway, Ray allowing a doctor to pass us before she begins pacing back and forth. She starts rambling, "This is absolutely ridiculous. The government building should not be the first place I think to come when I need help, especially to a government officer. But I'd like to think we're friends, you know? And we keep talking about trust and honestly, you're probably the only person I trust in this freaking world. How crazy is that? Because really how long have we known each other and—"

"Ray," I place both hands on her shoulders. "Breathe. What's wrong?"

She places her much smaller and softer hands on top of my own, squeezing down. "I'm not here to speak to Officer Riley. I know you're your father's son, but you're also Max...my friend. The best friend I've ever had. The only one, honestly. Which is why when I received this," She pulls a sheet of paper from her sleeve. "You're all I have. I have no one else to go to."

I take the paper and when I scan the first words, I take hold of Ray's arm and drag her down the hall and into an unoccupied room. I read the rest and then glare up with heated eyes.

"Who sent you this?"

She stays silent, exactly how I expected. If you wanted this girl to ever share her secrets, it would take hours of hard torture, if that. I guess should consider it a blessing that she's trusting me with this. But I can tell by my reaction, she's starting to put her front up again.

"Angela...she's the girl from the chapel right? She's a housekeeper in East."

More silence.

"Do you realize how dangerous this is?" She swallows and nods, staring down at the floor. "Having your mother transferred here was risky, all the time I've been spending with you has raised eyebrows. But this...Ray this is insane."