Maverick

she has a right to be, but not with Ronny. She’s cruel to him and I don’t like it.
“I’ll go check on him.” Liam places my bag in my locker and locks it for me.
No one blinked twice at seeing Liam carrying a white purse on his arm. I find it cute that he doesn’t care.
I wave goodbye to Liam and walk into the “living room,” as I call it. It’s a huge space with couches, multiple TVs, and toys for the kids.
I spot Ronny to the side of the room immediately, looking sad, and I see the huge knot on the side of his face.
I approach carefully so I don't startle him, “Hey Ronny, you okay? I heard you bumped your head?”
He smiles at me. He is truly a beautiful child, with his beautiful mocha-colored skin and piercing blue eyes. He’s so happy considering the life he was given.
“I did, Bell.” He stops talking and looks over at his mother, who is glaring at him from one of the couches.
Alarms go off in my head at the expression on his face. I don’t like the look she’s giving him.
“I got you something,” I whisper, to get his attention away from his mother. I may try to speak to her again to see if I could somehow help her through what is causing her to be ill towards Ronny.
He practically shakes in his seat in excitement. Yesterday we were talking and he mentioned that he has been dying to read the next Percy Jackson book, so I went to the bookstore and got him one.
I present the book, wrapped of course, sliding it across the table and making sure not to touch him because I don’t know if that’s okay with him or not.
Most people wouldn’t think of small little things like that, but sometimes good touches can be too much to bear.
He opens it so slowly, like he’s trying to savor it. When he finally takes it out of the paper, his eyes widen so big and his mouth opens in disbelief.
His beautiful eyes turn to look at me. He swallows hard and touches the cover of the book like he can’t believe it’s actually there. “Did you really buy this for me, Bell?”
His expression brings me such joy. “Yes I did, honey. It’s all yours. Once you finish that, I can get the next one.”
He picks the book up and clutches it to his chest. “Do you mind if I read while you sit with me?”
I’ll do whatever he wants me to do, so I sit right next to him and pull out my own book on my phone, and we sit and read in silence.
I can feel his mother staring at both of us. It’s more of a glare, but I’m not going to acknowledge her.
I hope that she doesn’t abuse him physically, but in the end she’s not giving him the emotional support that he needs.
“Want to eat lunch with me before I have to leave?” I ask softly so as not to startle him as he reads.
He puts the book down and marks his place with a bookmark. He nods, his eyes lighter than I have seen since I first saw him here.
We walk together to the cafeteria, and I help him get his food. “Want to tell me about your book?”
He takes a bite of his sandwich. “Yes!” He starts off on an animated ramble talking about demigods and a lot of things that I have no clue about.
An hour passes and I have to go. “I have to go, Ronny, but I’ll be back tomorrow. If you ever need me, they have my number at the front desk.”
His beautiful eyes haunt me. I don't want to leave him. I wish I could hug him and take him away from here.
“I understand, Bell, see you tomorrow?” he says sweetly. He hugs the book to his chest like it’s giving him comfort.
He is too precious for this world. I would give anything to adopt him, but he has a mother and I pray that she changes and gives him a life he deserves.
She’s here, so maybe that’s a start?
I turn around, waving as I do so, and walk out the door. I let out a deep breath, rubbing my chest as the ache forms and a million thoughts race through my mind.
I decide in this moment to go to the bookstore and grab the other books to keep in my car so I can have them on hand the second he finishes the others.
If it brings him happiness and some kind of peace, then I want to give him that.
* * *
The next day
I can’t wait until I see Ronny. I hide the book in my bag in case he’s finished the one he’s reading.
I sign in when I walk inside. Braelyn followed me here since she works here part time throughout the week.
She walks to her room past the cafeteria and I make my way into the living room.
I spot Ronny right off the bat looking sad as he sits off to the side by himself. He’s still wearing the same clothes from yesterday. I make a note to go shopping for him tomorrow before I come back.
His mother is sitting on the couch again, and she looks more pissed off than usual. She gives me a death glare as I walk past.
If she only knew that her glare means absolutely nothing to me. You don't go through what I have and be affected by that.
“Hi, Ronny, how are you today?” I ask and pull out a chair next to him.
He smiles at me. “I’m good! I sat up all night and finished my book. It was so good, Bell. Thank you for getting it for me.” He hugs the book to his chest.
“You’re so welcome, honey. I’m so glad you loved it.” My heart warms at the glow on his face as he looks through the pages of the book he