***

Jackie rung the doorbell. She wasn’t sure what she was going to face, whoever opens that door, but she had to be ready.

The home was one-leveled, shabby but ultimately serviceable. The lawn, surrounded by worn fencing, was patchy. The pathway submerged in the ground so dry, that only surface level it was wet from the rain. The red, tired bricks that made up the mostly square structure had waves of black grime etched into them, and the house itself looked like it was leaning.

People develop through experiences. And no set of experiences are pivotal than the childhood. Jackie had to have in the back of her head that it’s possible these people are unworthy of generosity or gentleness. That Maddie’s general unpleasantness was either learned behavior or a result of these people. And then there was the uninvited look that Jackie took in the poor girl’s mind.

Cleansing breaths. Jackie closed her eyes and rolled her neck. Whatever it was, she was ready as she’d ever be.

The door finally opened, unveiling a disheveled man with a vacant, yet easily-read expression of defeat.

“Ah, you must be… Uh, Janet or something, right? She told us you were coming, step right in…”

Jackie blinked, but ultimately nodded then complied, walking in.

Into what’s supposed to count as a kitchen, not only bare of anything but very enclosed. “Sorry we can’t really offer anything, we’re waiting on those assistance checks so we can finally put food in here—one step at a time I guess, but you don’t wanna hear all this and that…”

The man was tan, with dark moppy hair. His face caked in perma-stubble, his eyes wide and tired. He wore a polo shirt that hung off in an unkempt fashion—not invoking filth or uncleanliness, but again, being tilted and off-kilter. The jeans he sport was barely hanging onto him, and it was weird to see that he had shoes on in his own home, as if he’s not convinced that he owns the place yet.

The act of the man thrusting his trembling hand startled Jackie, until she realized. “Suraj Solomon, sorry for not saying, it’s been a week… Well, a couple, I guess.”

Jackie’s enhanced eyes instantly took in the man’s hairy arm.

Seeing the remnants of needles marks, etched across. It caused Jackie to shiver uncontrollably, as this reality continued and would not stop hitting her.

Jackie took his hand regardless, “He-hello, M-Mr. Solomon… Pleasure to meet you…”

Suraj smiled, “Man, you’re polite and strong, must be them uh… Enforcer types. I’m glad my kid’s friends with you…”

The tall girl felt so small, she had to clutch her teeth not to respond. Her body trying it’s damnest to make this painful guilt physical and out of the system.

“C’mon, c’mon…” Suraj led Jackie out of the kitchen, down a hall and into the living room. “Babe, this is her—tha-the girl that Maddie talked about, y’know?”

A petite woman sat there. Tan as well, her hair short and curly that rose above her neck. Her expression was distant, spaced out. She absentmindedly rubbed at her arms, just sitting there.

“… Don’t do this right now, Maria…” Suraj sounded so strained. It made Jackie’s pit in her stomach burrow itself deeper.

But Maria blinked and looked towards the duo, jumping in her green and simple dress, seeming like it took her a moment to realize that she was here. “W-what happened, baby--?”

Suraj gestured to Jackie once more. “One of Maddie’s new pals. We talked about them, and how they’re gonna take it from here, remember?”

“…Oh yeah,” Maria nodded, trying to keep this memory inside of her head. “Oh yeah. Yeah—yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah… I don’t… Really wanna remember, but yeah…”

There was a long sigh that came from Suraj, which made Jackie turned her head.

“I know you’re like. Smart enough to tell that we’re… Like, we don’t wanna be parents, we’re not abandoning our own kid but… We’re just not ready yet. They called us out of rehab and what was supposed to be a visit ended up, ‘hey, you’re reinstated, have fun’…”

Jackie elected not to speak, she only nodded. She saw Maria bury her small hands into her face, shaking her head.

“So uh… Just… Look after her, okay?” Suraj gulped so he could say what was next. “We already lost one and… If we weren’t broken before, well…”

“You have my word,” Jackie said instantly. “I promise you.”

A startled Suraj then simply smiled. It was weathered. It was worn, but it was a smile none the less.

“Thank you so much, Janet.”

Jackie smiled in turn and nodded. It wasn’t important.