Good Girls Have Secrets

Chapter 28

Daylight brought a different perspective to last night's events. Hearing the porch door slam and the sound of Aunt Beth's car starting up, I feel guilty for ruining her life. Would Isabella let me stay with her until I find an affordable apartment?

Pulling out my suitcases, I neatly fold my clothes, so they don't get wrinkled. There's nothing worse than spending hours steaming my dry clean only tops and dresses. As I empty out my dresser drawers, my eyes travel to Aunt Beth's Bible.

Should I take it with me? Or would that be stealing? I decide to leave it, along with the phone charger and some other little things she let me borrow.

Heading down to the kitchen to get a garbage sack for the last of my things, I spot Uncle David on the couch. Trying to turn and run back upstairs before he sees me, the stairs sell me out when they creak.

"Maddie...wait." Uncle David stands and moves towards the stairs.

My heart pounds and my skin prickles. I mumble, "Don't worry. I'm packing my things. I'll be out before lunch time."

Shaking his head, he says, "That's not what I want." Clearing his throat, he, wipes his hands back and forth on the front of his pants. "I know I was harsh yesterday. I should've taken a moment to calm down before I talked to you. I've been under a lot of stress lately and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." I blink to keep from crying.

"But I meant what I said. If you're going to live in this house, you can't use drugs or alcohol. My father was an alcoholic, so I know how it destroys families. To me drugs are even worse."

I don't want to stay here anymore. They'll end up hating me if I stay because I can't promise I won't smoke or drink again. "I'm going to find my own place. I think it's best for everyone."

"How will you afford that? The bills will be too much for you to manage."

I stick my chin out and confess. "I don't know. I have a little savings to get started. Lots of women raise children on their own."

"Yes, they do. But Caris is going to require extra care. How will you care for her, work, and go to school? Beth is planning to switch part-time to take care of Caris, while you go to class."

"I'll never be able to do this on my own if you and Aunt Beth take care of everything for me. I need to make my own decisions and learn how to care for my daughter."

"If you want to move out, I won't stand in your way. But you should know that the hospital has a binder with a lengthy list of requirements you'll have to check off to take that little girl home. You can meet them, but it won't be easy."

Grabbing a folder off the table beside the couch, he hands it to me. Flipping it open, I ask, "What's this?"

"I've been gathering and working on the forms for WIC, Medicaid for Caris' health insurance, and the SNAP food assistance program. Those are some of the basic programs." Pulling out a form, he points to the top of the sheet. "This one could get you some tuition assistance."

Realizing he's purposely trying to overwhelm me, I shove the folder under my arm, saying, "This is extremely helpful. I'll work on it later. I need to grab a garbage bag from the kitchen." Pushing past him, I ball my hands into fists to keep him from seeing that they're shaking.

"What will you do for a car?" he says with a sigh.

"I'll call my brother. Maybe he'll drive it out here if I offer to pay for his plane ticket back." Refusing to let him see my panic, I keep walking.