"Who the fu-who do you think you are yelling at me and listening to a conversation that has nothing to do with you!" She stood her voice even. She stepped in front of Daniel, to shield him, protect him from Connor's anger.
"Go upstairs," She turned slightly to assure Daniel was okay. He looked scared and she wanted to reach out and tell him it was okay, but she didn't trust turning away from Connor.
"Now!" Connor barked his eyes never leaving Alexa's. Daniel stood slowly; he didn't want to leave his Zia. He didn't know his uncle Nathan that well, he seemed nice, but now he was scared for his Ann-Alley, that's what he called her before he learned to say Zia. Would His uncle hurt her like that last boyfriend she had? What should he do? Call his dad? Call His
Nonno
Joe?
"Don't raise your voice to him!" Alexa growled, "Go upstairs Daniel." She said again offering him a reassuring rub on the back as he got up. He was a big boy; he kept thinking to keep his lip from trembling. He was a big boy and he would go make sure Clara was okay. On his way he heard Alexa's phone singing, "hey squirt where's your auntie?" He sobbed relief when he heard Gauge's voice. "What's up kid?" Gauge tried to sound calm; Daniel crying was a big deal. He called to see if Janabelle was over there, since she wasn't answering his calls. He pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans while Daniel calmed down enough to tell him what happened. "Did your uncle hurt Alexa?"
"N-no-I-don't know they just yelling, n-now," he sniffled.
"Don't worry squirt, I'm on my way, stay on the phone okay." Daniel nodded, "you know I was gonna make pizza for dinner tonight did you want to help me." Gauge searched for neutral topics of conversation to keep Daniel on the phone and calm.
"Y-yeah, that's my zia's favorite."
"I know, don't worry kid." Gauge said ask he started his car.
Janabelle knocked on the door, no answer. She rang the bell, no answer. She pulled out the key David made for her when she was Alexa's primary caretaker after her wrist was broken. Bella knocked one more time, she hated using the key, jenny always got pissed no matter how many times Bella knocked or wrung the door bell. Bella knew what type of person Jenny was and after Alexa's wrist was broken proved it. Janabelle would come by to help take care of her and she would have to wait outside for God knows how long; once for an hour. And when she called to see if anything was wrong Jenny picked up saying that Alexa wasn't there and that she forgot her phone. Then Jenny would turn around and tell Alexa that Bella never showed or called.
She didn't know what was wrong with Jenny or why she did stuff like that, maybe it was to get attention. She seemed like one of those girls who had everything but wanted more, mostly more drama. She'd say anything; do anything to get the proverbial spotlight put on her. Janabelle frowned at the door. Did she just hear screaming? What the hell?
She rushed into what sounded like World War III.
"Fuck you! You don't know not one Goddamn thing about this family! How the hell are you going to come in here and tell me anything! I've been here! Where have you been?" she heard Alexa ranting. It was hard to tell where the noise was coming from, the shouting vibrating through the house making pictures on the wall rattle and creating ominous echoes.
"Fuck you too, sweetheart! And I know enough, who the fuck do you think you are contradicting that boy's mother!" Bella jumped at the power and heat behind the second voice. Holy hell this was trouble. She wished she hadn't snuck out of Gauge's apartment last night. She wished he was there with her. She took a deep breath and determined the shouting was coming from the kitchen.
If it wasn't scary it would have been funny. Alexa standing nose to chest with some giant glaring up at him her finger jabbing at him, said giant's finger pointing in her face.
"Maybe if his mother wasn't a trifling instigator, but why am I talking to a no good street thug like you? Why would I be surprised that Jenny would have an asshole like you in her family, you are all a perfect fucking match-"
"Whoa!" Janabelle jumped between them, nope not so funny anymore. She couldn't remember the last time Alexa lit into someone like that. "Back up!"
Connor glared down at the little girl pushing him and Alexa to separate corners. Who the fuck was she? He was about demand when he took a good look at her. She had a sweet open brown face. Her eyes were large almond saucers dominating her features. She gently pushed him away. He didn't know why he listened or why he let this little girl take over, he wondered if it was because he didn't see judgment. Funny how something so small as indiscrimination could move him. She didn't come in accusing or yelling, she just diffused the bomb of their argument. Connor walked away, brushing passed a tall skinny kid, staring at the three of them.
Alexa was shaking, she couldn't recall being so angry, so frustrated and…so wrong. She hated herself for the things she said to him. She ignored it but she witnessed the flicker of hurt spark his eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest to try and control her shivering and to protect herself from the pair of eyes staring at her.
"Are you okay?" Janabelle asked quietly, and Alexa nodded moving to stand in front of the kitchen window. She let out a shaky sigh as she splashed her face with cool water.
"You want to tell me what that was about?" Bella asked nodding her head to Gauge, silently telling him to check on the other victim of the argument offering him a grateful smile.
Alexa shrugged, she didn't trust her voice not to quiver. She bit her lip; she had to check on the kids. She knew if Clara wasn't awake before the fight she had to be awake now. She should have walked away from him, but he came in yelling and accusing her of turning Daniel against his mother. What was she supposed to do?
"I better-I better check on the kids." Flinching away form Jana belle's comforting touch.
Connor stood outside clutching his empty cigarette pack. He was still fuming; he should ring her fucking neck. What the fuck did she know about him or his family? Apparently more than he did. She was right, he hadn't been around, he didn't know anything about his family. And in turn his family didn't know anything about him, they didn't want to. They wrote him off he was a ghost, they didn't understand what he did, what he was doing, they didn't want to. They didn't want any fucking part of him, and as much as he tried to convince himself other wise it hurt.
Alexa saw that weakness and ripped into it. He wanted to blame her, to hate her but he couldn't. He witnessed the instant regret beneath the fire of her eyes.
"Hey, man need a smoke?" that tall skinny kid he brushed passed a few seconds ago offered him one.
Connor eyed him wearily, before accepting, "thanks," He muttered nodding slightly as the kid offered him a light. They stood huddled in their own space for a few moments, neither one wanting or needing to make the effort to speak. Connor should have found it awkward or disturbing, if he were normal he would have. But he spent a great deal of time in stranger situations. They each just stood in their silent comradery.
Connor studied the kid. He was tall and lanky with long dark hair falling just passed his ears. He also had big round slate colored eyes. They were actually girl pretty, but there was a threatening toughness that lay underneath. He was sure guys took that girl prettiness for granted and ended up paying for it in the end. The kid had an honest face and his ears were decorated with spacer piercings in the lobe allowing Connor to see the world behind them.
The kid was obviously a skater, wearing a white thermal under his red t-shirt and pair tight black jeans with a chain holding his wallet. The kid studied him too openly curious, as though trying to figure something out. Connor felt naked under his gaze and forced him self not to fidget. He forced himself to remain cool and detached, and then the kid did something he never expected. He broke into a wide goofy grin, reminding him of The Geek Terry. He could see that he, just like Terry could brighten or make a joke out of any situation.
