Safe and Sound by Lindy Zart Page A

shoved his hands in his pockets and hopped off the porch. “I think you just like to torture me.”
      “What does that mean?” she called after him.
      “See you tonight, Lola,” he said with a mocking bow.
      Lola watched his lean frame cross the street, eyes on him until he disappeared into his house. She turned around and went motionless.
      Bob stood in the open doorway, eyes on Sebastian’s house . He had on a brown shirt and red sweatp ants. He was unshaven and his skin had an oily sheen to it .
      Terror clawed its way up her throat . That suffocating sensation came back to her. He didn’ t say anything, just stood there, watching . She tried to move past him, but he blocked her way.
      “You remember what I told you, don’t you?” he said in a low voice.
      Lola was chilled by the threat in his tone, though she had no idea what he was talking about.
      “You remember what I told you the last time that boy showed up here?”
      She stood there, barely breathing, heart racing. A memory tried to make its way to the surface, but was shoved back down by Lola . She didn’t want to remember. Couldn’t bear it.
      “No? Should I remind you?” His voice was even, calm. He enjoyed her pain. “Not so toug h now, are ya ?”
      Lola wordlessly shook her head.
      “What the hell happened to your face?” Bob suddenly demanded.
      Her eyes flew to his face to see if he was testing her. He didn’t know. Her mother hadn’t told him. Why?
      “Fell. Had to get stitches,” she mumbled, eyes on her shoes.
      “God damn it, girl! All you are is one huge expense after another. Maybe you should start giving your checks to me. Help pay some bills. They’re all because of you anyway.
      “Go on now.” He moved back just enough to allow her to slid e past him. “Get to work and make me some money. ”
      Lola waited for him to move more, but he didn’t, had no intention of doing so. She held her breath, angled her body as far away from his as she could, and sidled inside. His gut rubbed against her breasts and Lola gagged, hurrying down the hall to her room.
      “Lola?” her mother called from the living room.
      Lola ignored her, slamming her bedroom door and resting her head against it. What had Bob meant? Why couldn’t she remember? Her pulse sped at an alarming rate and she felt hot and cold at the same time.
      It was awful. Whatever he’d said was awful, she knew. Dread swam in her stomach and threatened to overwhelm her. Lola felt sick, like she might vomit. She put a hand against her stomach and pressed. Don’t think about it. Go to work. Don’t think about it.
      A knock sounded at the door and she recoiled from it. Lola searched her room; she wasn’t sure for what, a weapon or something, and grabbed a book from the nightstand.
      Lana opened the door. She had on a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt. Her hair was in a lopsided ponytail, like she’d fallen asleep with it in.
      “Are you okay?” She pointed to her chin.
      “Fine.”
      “ Bob didn’t mean to be so rough earlier.” She trailed a finger up and down the door , eyes on her hand.
      “I need to get ready for work.” Her words were stiff, dismissive.
      Lana looked up. “Oh. Okay.” She turned to go. “We’ll get you paid back. Don’t worry.”
      “I’m not.” What was the point?
      Lola pulled her work clothes from her dresser. “Lola?” She paused, looked up.
      Her mother’s lips trembled and her eyes watered. “Please don’t hate me.”
      Lola clenched her teeth together, willed tears not to come, though they did anyway. She stood there, silent and still, until her mother left.
    * **
      Roxanne was glaring at her again. Lola sighed and turned away, wishing a customer would show up, anything to keep her busy from Roxanne’s hostile looks and snippy comments. She could actually feel her burning hatred boring two holes in her back.
      What did she have to be mad about? Lola was