Keeping Her Warm(6)

I run my hands through my hair trying to take this all in.

“Catherine was the only one who could really get her father under control. She’d often come down to the bar to get him to calm down and leave. Even the sheriff would call her to come get him sometimes, even when the girl was only, like, thirteen.” She shakes her head in disgust. “It wasn't right, but like I said, she was the only one who could calm him down.”

I bite back the string of curses I want to let loose.

“Catherine Young, I take it, is her name?”

Pam nods. “Did something happen? Are Mark and Catherine okay? Crap, I feel bad I haven't thought about them in so long.”

“Not sure yet, but if you see the girl walking around, you call me,” I tell her. She nods again at me. Maybe I could go up to the school and check on her. I glance at the clock and see with the early dismissal school has already let out. Fuck.

Pam reaches in her drawer and pulls out my keys.

“Chains are on.” She hands them to me. I put them into my pocket. “I think I’m going to stay here tonight, too. Field any calls.”

I raise my eyebrows at her, because Asher could handle it if need be. Her cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

“All right,” I agree. Maybe these two will finally get on with it and become a couple and stop skirting around each other.

“Oh!” She reaches for a sheet of paper and hands it to me. “Mrs. Lemon called.”

Now I have to fight an eye roll. “She said she can’t find Fluffy and she’s worried the cat will die in the storm if he’s not found.”

Mrs. Lemon calls at least three times a week about something. From people driving down her street too fast, to someone walking on her lawn, to even a car she’s never seen before being parked on her street. Half the time when I get over there she brushes off whatever reason she called and then makes me do some kind of handiwork around her house. Most of the time I don’t care. If we’re not busy, that is, but right now I don’t have the patience for it.

“She called five times already.”

I let out a deep breath, knowing she will keep calling until I come. It has to be me or she won’t answer the door. I glance at the clock again.

“I’m going. I won’t be back tonight unless you call me in for something,” I tell Pam. I need to head over to Mrs. Lemon’s then drive around to make sure everyone is shutting down. Maybe I’ll get lucky and run across Catherine. I can’t stand the idea of this girl not having somewhere to go. Maybe my gut is wrong and she is staying with a friend. I don’t think I can wait for the schools to open back up before I can talk to her. I need to know she’s okay. Something is clawing at me deep inside, a need like I’ve never felt before to know this girl is okay, taken care of and warm for the night.





4





Catherine





I sit in the gym waiting for everyone to clear out of the girls’ locker room. Dread swirls around in my stomach that school got called out early today. Even the library is closing down. The whole town was. I prayed the snow storm wouldn't last long. I knew all I had left at home was half a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. It would have to hold me over until the town opened back up again. There was no way I could make it to the store before they closed. Not to mention it was too cold to even try. The walk home was going to be hard enough.

When I see another girl leave the locker room I slip in. Looking around, I make sure everyone is gone. I dig through my bag, finding my shampoo and soap before slipping off my clothes and getting into the shower.

I’ve been using the school’s showers since my water got turned off. So far I haven't been caught. I didn't have gym, so there’s no reason for me to be down here. I wash myself as quickly as possible, sad that I can’t linger in the warm water a little longer. I’m almost done when I hear giggling behind me. I turn to see three girls standing there in their cheerleading outfits.

I know who they are. They couldn't be more cliché if they tried. They are the mean girls and I cringe when I see them all staring at me.

I turn the water off, grab a towel, rush past them to my backpack and hurriedly get dressed.

“Let me guess. Your drunk of a father couldn't pay the water bill?” Jannie laughs as she says the words. The other girls laugh with her. “That’s why Ren was hanging out with you all day. He feels bad for the poor girl. Maybe thinks it would be easy to get between your legs.”

“Maybe he likes that she never talks,” Beth adds.

I bite the inside of my mouth as I pull my shoes on and tie them up. I just want to get out of here. I need to let my hair dry, but I can see that isn’t going to be an option. I should have gone straight home, but I was worried about how long I’d be stuck there without getting a shower.

I use the towel to dry my hair a little before grabbing my stocking hat out of my backpack. I try and get all my hair under it, worried about the cold with my damp hair.

“Does Coach Snow know you’re down here using the showers?” Kim chimes in.

I don’t answer her. I pick up my coat sliding it on before grabbing my backpack. I go to move past them but they block my way to the door. My heart starts to pound. I’m not a confrontational person. Nor am I a fighter. I’ve never been in a fight in my life. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life trying to cool down my own father when he goes into one of his moods.