BLACK CAT.✔

Chapter Sixty-Six

The week went fast. Rob and Linc carried on as normal. Becky and Sheila went to the house three days in a row. They made a pile of rubbish in the front yard. Michael fixed the door on Wednesday. The house was liveable minus a television and microwave because Jared Bridgestone had smashed them both.

By Thursday, Becky was no longer using crutches but walked with a limp. The swelling had gone down; however, the dark bruise remained. It had started to turn an awful yellowish green colour. The stitches in the back of her head were itchy. Becky couldn't wait until they were taken out.

Sheila dusted off a photo that had been hanging on the wall. She was about to put it back on the hook when Becky came into the lounge room.

"Don't put it up. I'm going to throw it."

"Really?" Sheila studied the man and woman with a child on each of their laps. They appeared happy. Becky and Linc looked a lot like their mother but had their father's eye colour. "How about we put it in your Dad's room? In a drawer."

"I don't want it." Becky took the photo and threw it on top of a pile of rubbish.

Sheila watched as Becky turned and walked away. She glanced down at the image. Michael had told her the story so she understood Becky's feelings concerning the picture. She couldn't help but think Becky would regret throwing it away one day so she grabbed the photo, and hid it in a drawer in Jared's room under a pile of shirts, and then she quickly picked up the rest of the rubbish and took it all to the industrial bin they had hired. That way if Becky asked she could say she had thrown the picture in with everything else.

Sheila closed the lid and turned to see Becky at the bottom of the stairs. She said, "How about we have a break? Maybe go to the shopping centre and get some lunch. We can buy a new shower curtain while we're there."

"Okay." Becky smiled. She liked Rob's mother a lot. As each day passed, she liked her more and more. Sheila was funny, and continually told stories of when Rob was growing up. He got so embarrassed but always took it with good humour. Becky couldn't help but feel envious of the childhood he'd had. She kept thinking about Linc and knew his life would be so much better if he stayed with the Jarvis's.

"I think we should get some takeaway for dinner because I ain't cooking," Sheila called out as she clipped the last shower curtain hook over the rail and stepped off the chair. She grinned at Becky. "What do you think? The place isn't looking so bad and we've busted our guts all week. Time for a reward."

"Sounds good. But I'm paying." Becky grabbed the chair and made her way into the kitchen. "Linc loves Macca's and Rob loves KFC." She smirked at Sheila. "I think we should get KFC. Do you and Michael like it?"

"Yes... but I don't feel right about you paying for it."
"No arguments, Sheila." Becky held her hand up and gave her a stern look. "You've done so much for us. I'm paying."

"All right." Sheila shrugged and looked at the time. "Linc was staying with Rob while he trained. I think they'll be home soon so we'll pick it up on the way."

"Unless they go to the café." Becky grabbed her mobile. "I'll give him a text and tell him not to go because they'll fill up on burgers and chips."

"That bugger." Sheila laughed. "That's why he's never hungry the nights he trains. He makes out exercise turns him off food."

"Now I've got him into trouble." Becky giggled and sent the text. 'We're getting KFC for dinner so don't go to the café ☺'