Marlene sighed. “You don’t have to worry about Carl any longer. I promise you that. There’s still the issue of your mother, but we’ll cross that bridge when and if we come to it. For now, you’re staying here. First thing we’re going to do is go shopping for some decent clothes.”
Rusty looked suspiciously at her, but Marlene ignored her and went on.
“There’s also the matter of school. I’ll expect you to attend and finish your education when it starts in August.”
“School’s boring,” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“For a smart girl like you, I don’t doubt it, but it doesn’t make it any less necessary. You’ll never get into college if you don’t finish high school.”
“College?” She laughed, and it sounded bitter and derisive. “What’s a girl like me going to do at college? I can’t afford it and I’d never get in anyway with my record.”
“Record?”
“Yeah,” she mumbled. “Nothing major. Got sent to Juvie once.”
“What for?”
Her chin came up, and fire blazed in her eyes. “Solicitation.”
Marlene closed her eyes and willed herself not to break down in front of this child. When she opened them again, she saw anger reflected in Rusty’s face. She didn’t appreciate Marlene’s pity.
“Well, what’s done is done. We can’t change the past, but we can darn sure change your future. You’re going to school, and you’re going to work hard. No excuses.”
There was a slight shift and Rusty seemed to wilt a little on her stool. Marlene leaned on the counter and took a chance as she covered Rusty’s hands with her own.
“I don’t doubt you’ve had a hard life and that a lot of people have let you down. You can wallow in that misery and remain a victim, or you can take charge of your destiny and turn it all around. The choice is up to you. I can’t make you do it, and I won’t. Frank and I will provide you with the opportunity, but you have to want better.”
Rusty looked down at Marlene’s hands, her eyes glistening with what looked to be hard fought tears. “Why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?”
“Not everyone does something for what’s in it for them,” Marlene said gently. “Besides, seeing you graduate and go on to college and make something of yourself will be what I get out of it.”
“So I can stay?” she asked hopefully.
“You can stay.”
Marlene picked up her purse again and fished for her car keys. She walked toward the garage door and then turned and pinned Rusty with a stare.
“Well, don’t just sit there, come on.”
Rusty scrambled off the stool and rubbed her hands nervously down her pant legs. “Where we going?”
“To buy you some clothes and shoes. Maybe do something with that hair while we’re at it.”
Rusty frowned and ran her hand defensively over the long strands. “What’s wrong with my hair?”
“Nothing if you don’t mind looking like a pink rooster,” Marlene said dryly. “I know kids these days get strange ideas about fashion, but trust me, that look is never a good idea.”
IT was dark when they pulled back into the drive. Frank met them at the door and took the bags they carried. He did a double take when he caught sight of Rusty.
Marlene beamed and turned to Rusty. “Didn’t I tell you he wouldn’t recognize you?”
Rusty ducked her head self-consciously and looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her up. Her confidence was in the gutter, but if Marlene had her way, she’d build it back up.
“You look nice,” Frank said gruffly. “Like a young lady instead of some punk.”
Rusty actually grinned at the backhanded compliment.
“There’s more bags in the trunk,” Marlene said as they walked on into the kitchen.
“You buy the store out?” Frank huffed.
“Almost. I haven’t had that much fun shopping since Rachel and I used to go.”
Her mouth trembled as the words slipped past her before she thought better. Frank squeezed her arm on his way out the door.
“What happened to Rachel?” Rusty asked. “You mentioned her before.”
Marlene sighed. “She was married to my son Ethan.”
“They get a divorce?”
“No. She died a year ago,” she returned softly.
Rusty shifted uncomfortably. “Sorry.”
Marlene smiled. “Don’t be. I tell Ethan all the time that it’s time to go on with life and then I don’t heed my own advice.”
“You loved her a lot.”
It wasn’t a question, but a matter-of-fact statement.
“Yes, I did.”
Frank bustled back in with the rest of the bags, and Marlene turned to Rusty.
“Well young lady, you’ve got a lot of unpacking to do. Better get on upstairs and get all your things settled. The bathroom on the end will serve as yours. With all the makeup and hair stuff we bought, you’ll be arranging clothes and cosmetics until bedtime.”
For a moment Rusty didn’t move. She fidgeted uncomfortably, shifting from one foot to the other. Then she glanced at Frank and finally Marlene.
“Thanks. Uh, I mean . . . well thanks.”
Marlene patted her on the arm. “You’re quite welcome.”
CHAPTER 9
AS Donovan set the helicopter down on the bare patch of soil next to the nondescript stone building, a woman in a white lab coat hurried out, shielding her face with her hand.