The Handsome Helper

Chapter 23

"What do you think Ma?" Donny asked again. Sarah stayed silent in her chair.

I'd just been examined by Donny's aunt and I was putting my clothes back on when Donny had unlocked the door and barged in; worry was written all over his face

"Why do you do it, do they force you?" Sarah finally asked after a lifetime of silence.

The truth behind my addiction was that I liked the high. You won't understand the escape it offers until you try it. It's something out of this world; but I wasn't prepared to let that slip, not to people who'd never understand.

"It helps with the pain" I answered. I didn't lie, as well as a good form of escapism it eased the pain that Ana couldn't.

Sarah nodded because at my scars and bruises the great doctor was speechless.

I felt her fingers run the imprint of my uncle's belt; they danced on bruises from customer's fists and they soothed my aching joints.

"Would you like to get clean?" Even though the question left Sarah's mouth I looked at Donny.

Donny was stood in the doorway to his aunt's office with his arms folded over his chest and his eyes closed. He looked really attractive stood like that but like Sarah, he was waiting for an answer

Could I possibly say no to getting clean? Would it make me a bad person; would Donny still like me?

I'll miss the high for sure and the pain relief is unbelievable but what do I need more: Donny or the high?

"No, she doesn't" Donny's eyes opened as he answered. "They all do it in her house, her uncle will know something's wrong if she stops" his tone was hard and serious it scared me slightly so I stepped backwards absentmindedly nearly knocking over a vase.

"I er" my voice, even though I tried very hard to steady it, came out shaky and quiet. "Are we done? Am I ok?"

"Yes, they're normal withdrawal symptoms" even though i was a prostitute and a drug addict Sarah smiled at me like I was someone special, special in a good way.

I nodded and thanked her with a hug, yeah it surprised me when she leaned in for one, why would you want to touch me?

--

When we entered the living room we found all of Donny's siblings scattered around on the 3 large sofas.

How one family could be made up of 13 people I'll never know. Imagine the amount of Christmas presents..

Anyone want to guess where the spare seats were?

One was obviously right next to Caesar and the other was next to Grammy.

"hey Eliza, mind helping with dessert?" I let a breath of relief go when Kelly shouted from the kitchen. I smiled and unhooked myself from Donny and headed in the direction of what had grown to be my favourite room in this big house.

"mind washing these dishes? I haven't got enough clean ones" Kelly asked. She had a trifle in one hand and a big serving spoon in the other. She looked nervous asking me

"yeah sure, I like washing" Kelly smiled at my answer and turned to finish serving. After a minute or two she left to take dishes to the living room. I was on my second to last dish when I left a hat being placed onto my head. The gesture made my heart flutter slightly..

I turned to meet Caesar's playful eyes. He'd stepped to the side and was leaning on the counter but he was still very close with one leg slightly touching me. He'd ditched his jacket and was only sporting a white fitted t-shirt. His two arms were folded over his chest in a defensive stance.

I worked in silence ignoring Caesar's intense stare. I had to adjust my new accessory every so often but other than that I was uninterrupted.

As Caesar dried the last dish I decided to jpin the noisy livingroom, swaying my hips as I walked. I sat next to Donny kissing his check.

The rules of the game were that the floor was lava and all the sofas and cushions were land and safe to stand on. The winner of the game was the last one standing. When both Caesar and I joined the room the game automatically reset and the small children who'd gotten out rejoined the game on one of the 3 sofas. Everyone began to count down from 5 and I found myself joining in.

Donny and I were holding each other tightly as we balanced on one cushion as the countdown came to an end.

I leaped for another cushion as the little kids ran about screaming for one another. I finally made it safely onto the sofa when Caesar grabbed me to steady himself. He barely made his jump which was hilarious to watch.

"Thanks sis" he said before pressing a light kiss to my forehead; he then leapt away.

Did he really call me sis?