“Now count to ten.”
Pulling the cell away from my ear as she starts counting, I tell Eli, “Start warming up on the bag.” He does as I say, heading over to the mats as I walk over to Evan’s station and pull his chair out.
“—Ten.”
I grit my teeth, hating that I’m about to say this, but she needs to talk it out and I’m the only person she can do that with. The last thing I want is to be discussing a teenage girl with my mom.
“Now tell me what happened.”
I hear her intake of breath over the line, my gaze skirting to Eli as he throws a punch at the bag. “She came over last night, you know I told you I spoke to her dad and told him I’d do bible study.” I lean my head back, gripping the bridge of my nose with my finger and thumb. “Obviously it’s not bible study, but I know something is going on in that house.”
“You know, or you think?”
“I—well…” I don’t tell her about the bruises I saw on Lily’s neck a couple of Tuesdays ago. It’s not that I don’t want to help, I just know that you can’t help someone until they want it. Not only that, but it’s none of my business. She doesn’t concern me. She’s not my family; Mom is my family, and she’s all that matters.
“You can’t know for sure, Mom. You know what will happen if you ask her—”
“I should—”
I groan. “No, Mom. Just leave it the fuck alone.”
“Mind your language.”
Ignoring her, I continue, “Don’t be getting mixed up in other people’s lives. Just leave it alone.”
“But you can help her, Luke—”
“No, Mom, I can’t.”
I hear her breathing coming faster and harder over the line. Standing up, I grip my hair in my hand, hating that I’ve upset her. I don’t always mean to come across like a broody asshole, but I can’t help it. I am who I am.
“If you’re that worried about her then call Child Protective Services. There ain’t nothing I can do to help. Call them or let it drop.”
She’s silent for a couple of minutes, and I pull the cell away from my ear, checking the call hasn’t dropped.
“You’re right… I’m sorry, Son. I shouldn’t drag you into it.”
My chest deflates at her words, but a pain shoots through me at the same time. Rubbing my palm over it, I frown. Those are the exact words I want to hear from her, so why does it feel like I’m doing the wrong thing?
“I gotta go, Mom. Me and Eli are boxing.”
“Are you still coming for meatloaf on Monday?”
“Damn straight I am.” My palm rubs lower, my stomach grumbling at the thought of her monthly Monday night meatloaf.
She laughs, her soft tinkle sounding over the line and bringing a smile to my face. “I love you, Luke.”
My throat dries at her words, causing me to croak out, “Love you, too, Mom.”
Ending the call, I stare down at the mats, my mind working a mile a minute. Should I do more? Should I have not told her to stay out of it?
Shaking my head, I tell myself I can’t. I can’t insert myself into some stranger's life. It’s got nothing to do with me.
“Uncle Luke?” My head snaps up at Eli’s voice.
I need to live in the here and now with the people who are my family, not worry about a random person who I’ve said one single word to.
LILY