Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

not them, their parenting, or lack thereof. “No, can we come in?”

“You’re not family services, are you?”

“No, I’m your neighbor, Gabe Adler.” I held out my hand to shake but she ignored it. “And this is my girlfriend, Taylor.”

“Come in.” She stepped back and I followed Taylor inside.

It was surprisingly clean. Sparse but tidy. There were no family photos or knickknacks, just a threadbare couch, a TV, a small kitchen and a hallway which led presumably to the bedrooms and bathroom. Similar to my apartment but flipped.

“Have a seat,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” I knew she hadn’t given it, but I was trying to be polite when I really wanted to demand what the hell she was doing with her time that she couldn’t be bothered to care for her child.

“Lizzie Flanagan.”

“Lizzie, the reason we’re here is that we care about your son—” Taylor said.

“What do you know about my son?” Lizzie interrupted, leaning forward, nostrils flaring, and her eyes cold.

Her sudden burst of anger didn’t surprise me. My mom never wanted anyone in our business either. “I noticed him hanging around and we started talking. I eventually figured out he was alone most nights and he was hungry. I invited him in and cooked him dinner. I helped him with his homework.”

“Are you touching him? Are you some fucked-up sicko?”

I leaned back on the couch away from her accusation, too stunned to speak. It hadn’t entered my mind that helping Zach could be interrupted as grooming him like a predator would.

“No, Lizzie, why—” Taylor seemed frantic to calm her down.

I appreciated Taylor trying to defend me, but I wanted to do it myself. “No. That’s not it at all.” But is that what an outsider would think? That I had some sick fascination with her son? That I was abusing him? It was my childhood all over again. Just when I thought I was better, someone always knocked me down—thought the worst of me.

“I’m trying to help your son.” I tried to keep my voice even. “I’m worried about him. I’d like to see him finish school.”

“That’s not going to happen. I need him around here. He needs to start working and paying the bills. He doesn’t need school.”

“He does. Why don’t you want the best for your son?” Was I going about this the wrong way? This was churning up memories of my childhood, my mother, and I wasn’t handling it well. I felt shaky and a little sick. I needed to get it together so I could help Zach.

“What do you know about us? You don’t know anything,” Lizzie said.

Taylor shifted on the couch and in a calm voice said, “I’m sorry. I think we got off on the wrong foot. We all want the same thing. We all want what’s best for Zach. And what’s best for Zach is to make sure you’re okay. That you have what you need. Do you have everything you need, Lizzie?”

Lizzie’s expression softened. “I work my ass off to pay for this apartment. I’m trying my best.”

“What can we do to help? Do you need assistance in applying for government programs? There might be things out there you don’t know about and haven’t taken advantage of. I can help you,” she said.

Taylor was doing a better job connecting with Lizzie than I was. She wasn’t affected by this situation personally. She was coming at Lizzie from a place of professionalism.

“I don’t know what’s out there, honestly. I tried once but couldn’t fill out the papers.” Lizzie looked down at her lap and was quiet for so long, I didn’t think she’d respond. Finally, she said softly, “I can’t read.”

I felt badly for her. It was harder when there was something holding you back, whether it was lack of a degree, not being able to read, or a criminal record.

I felt the air whooshing out of Taylor’s body as she relaxed. “Okay, I can help with that. Whatever you need.” Taylor smiled reassuringly and patted Lizzie’s hand. “Sometimes all we need is to know when it’s time to ask for help.”

Lizzie nodded.

“You know how difficult it is to get a job and to try and get through life not being able to read. That’s why it’s so important that Zach finish school. That he earn his degree so he can get a good job,” Taylor said.

Lizzie’s eyes shot from me to Taylor. “You want him to go to college? I don’t want you putting ridiculous ideas in his head—”

“It doesn’t have to be college. He can do anything he wants—if that’s continuing school, getting a job as a mechanic, whatever he wants,” Taylor said. “And Gabe here doesn’t want Zach to get into trouble with guys on the street. That’s why he’s so upset.”

“So, he is getting into trouble?” Lizzie asked.

I couldn’t tell if she was concerned or resigned. Should I tell her that he’d been having issues with some guys in the neighborhood? I didn’t want to incense her, but she should know. “He was starting to run some jobs for some guys, but he came to me and I talked to him. I got him a job after school to keep him out of trouble.”

She listened, her lips drawn tight, but didn’t respond.

If I’d expected a thank you for keeping her boy out of trouble, I wasn’t getting it.

“If I help you get some assistance will you support him staying in school?” Taylor asked.

“We’ll talk about it if I get assistance. I know how much they offer. It won’t be enough.”

“May I ask where you’re working now?” Taylor asked.

Lizzie seemed more comfortable talking to Taylor, so I remained silent as she asked questions.

“I work at a bar, waitressing.”

That explained why she got home so late. Bars stayed open twenty-fours here.

“The tips are usually pretty good,” Lizzie added.

“Okay. I’ll get you some paperwork and bring it by in a few days,” Taylor said getting up. “We wanted you to know that we’re here for you, Zach,