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When Quinn came through the doors into Redemption House that morning, the first thing she saw was a very tiny child sitting forlornly on a bench in the lobby. She had long dark, wildly curly hair falling to beyond her shoulders. Her head was down and Quinn couldn’t really see much of her face but the way she crushed her purple bunny to her chest told Quinn that something wasn’t right about her situation.
Quinn looked around the lobby but no one was paying attention to the little girl so she walked over and knelt down beside her. “Hello darling, are you ok?” she whispered.
The little girl peeked at Quinn but didn’t say anything.
Amos came over to where they were and leaning against the wall, he nodded at the child. “She don’t say much.”
Quinn looked up at the older man. “Who is she and where is her family?”
Amos nodded at Cassie’s office. “Her mama is in with Cassie. She’s been in there for a bit now.”
“How long has she been sitting here?” Quinn asked as she studied the little girl. Then she saw the half sandwich and juice bottle next to her. Quinn looked up at Amos with a frown.
“I brought her that about an hour ago and she hasn’t touched it at all,” he told her softly.
Quinn nodded. “Ok, do you think her mother will be much longer?”
Amos shrugged. “No idea. No clue as to why she’s been in there this long.”
Quinn sat back on her heels and stared at the little girl. She noted the tangled hair that hadn’t been brushed for a while. Checking over her clothing, she saw the washed out edges and dirty spots on hem of her jeans. The girl’s fingers were grubby and there was a smudge of dirt or maybe bruises on her cheek. If it were a bruise, it had happened days ago and was fading now.
Then Quinn looked at the purple bunny she held on to so hard. It was something a child would love but now it was crushed and the fur matted, as if she’d had it a long time. Then she noticed the little girl’s fingers were rubbing the bunny’s ears. The more she watched the more she noted the smooth path the girl had worn simply by rubbing her fingers along the same path in the fabric.
She glanced up at Amos and saw him shake his head slightly. She got to her feet then she reached out and patted the little girl’s leg. “Sweetie, you eat something while you wait for your mama.”
The little girl peered up at her and Quinn could see her eyes. They were dull with old pain and mistrust. When Quinn raised her hand off her leg, she also saw the girl flinch as if she expected her to smack her.
Quinn frowned and gazed at the little girl. “No one here will hurt you sweetheart. I won’t let them.” Then she turned to Amos. “Amos won’t let them either. He’ll stay here with you until your mama comes back ok?”
The little girl raised her eyes to watch Amos for a moment then turned her gaze back to Quinn. They both watched as she curled up into a smaller little ball and shied away from Amos.
“I don’t think my being here is what she wants,” Amos whispered, “She’s afraid of me.”
Quinn nodded then made up her mind about something. Reaching out her hand, she waited for the little girl to notice it. “Do you want to come with me for a while?”
The girl turned her eyes to her and just stared.
Quinn smiled slightly. “I teach some of the kids that live here.” She pointed down the hall to the left of the reception hall. “My room is the third door down.” She glanced up at Amos. “Amos can wait for your mom and when she comes out of her meeting, he’ll tell her where you are.”
The little girl glanced at Amos then turned back to Quinn. Then slowly she reached out and took Quinn’s hands.
Quinn stood up and walked down the hall slowly giving the girl a chance to keep up as she moved slowly like she was in some pain and this made Quinn’s lips tighten in anger. This girl was a baby and she shouldn’t know pain yet but she had a feeling she and pain were old friends.
Quinn opened her door and snapped on the lights as she made her way over to her desk. Putting her bag in the bottom drawer, she glanced over at the little girl standing just inside the door. “What’s your name sweetheart?”
The little girl stared at her for a moment then whispered, “Destiny.” She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands.
Quinn came over to her and held out her hands. “Would you like to wash your hands a bit? They’re kind of a wee bit grubby.”
Destiny looked down at her hands and shrugged.
Quinn got to her feet and ushered the tiny child across the hall to the bathroom. Turning on the water, she waited until the temperature was warm then gently steered the girl’s hand under the running water. Quinn grabbed the soap and tangled her fingers with hers.
Destiny watched the lather build as if she’d never seen it before.
Quinn frowned when she realized this. Then she looked closer at the little girl and noted something else. She was far too quiet for such a small child.
Most kids would be laughing right along with Quinn but this little girl wasn’t even smiling, her eyes were watchful but there was no laughter in them. Quinn had to wonder what was wrong with her. It made her sad to think this tiny little girl wasn’t as perfect as she seemed to be.
Quinn grabbed a paper towel, carefully dried her hands and then inspected them. “Pretty good job there kiddo.” She threw the towel away and reached out to take the girl’s hand.
Destiny turned, making her way back across the hall then pulled her hand free from Quinn’s grasp. She went to the corner of the room. Sitting down, she watched everything while still clutching her bunny as the other children came into the classroom.
Quinn clapped and drew everyone’s attention to her. The children quieted down as they found their seats. Thank goodness, everyone ignored Destiny as Quinn got her class under way. She wasn’t sure what the child would do if scrutiny were turned on her. The girl seemed odd while being in a cold numb state and Quinn didn’t want that disturbed.
Quinn kept one eye on Destiny and one eye on the clock as the morning progressed. She couldn’t believe her mother hadn’t come for her yet. Amos wouldn’t have left without passing along the message as to where Destiny had gone. When the other children left to join their parents, Quinn found herself looking for Destiny.
She was still there. Only now, she was all curled up into a ball, sleeping on the hard floor. Poor baby. Quinn gathered up her papers and tidied her desk.
Glancing up, she saw Amos standing in the doorway. Without a word, she turned to the corner and nodded at Destiny sleeping there.
Amos turned to follow her gaze and when he saw her there, his eyes softened. He nodded to the hall and when she stepped out, he spoke quietly, “I thought she’d be gone by now.”
Quinn shook her head. “Did her mother ever get done with Cassie?”
Amos nodded. “A long time ago. I waited there until she came out then told her where her daughter was. I thought she headed down this way so I went back to work. I just thought I’d stop now to ask how she was while she was here.” He reached up to scratch his ear. Frowning, he half stepped inside the room again and studied the sleeping girl in the corner. Stepping back into the hall again he said, “We gotta tell Cassie about this. I haven’t seen her mama in a while now. I think she left the kid here for a reason.”
Quinn nodded. “I think you could be right.” This child had been through hell, it was plain to see.
Amos straightened his shoulders and stared at her for a moment. “I don’t think Cassie is gonna like this.”
“I know she won’t but what can she do about it? We have to keep Destiny safe until her mom comes back for her.”
Amos nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Quinn watched as Amos walked down the hall. She went back into her room and sat down at her desk watching Destiny sleep.
A few minutes later hurried footsteps came down the hall and Cassie paused in her doorway. Her eyes looked wild as they met Quinn’s. “Where is she?” Cassie whispered.
Quinn pointed toward the corner.
Cassie saw the little girl sleeping. She took a hesitant step inside the room moving toward the corner then changed her mind and walked over to Quinn. “Her mom never came here, did she?”
Quinn shook her head. “No I was half watching for her but she never came. Destiny hasn’t asked about her either. In fact, Destiny hasn’t said a word all morning, really.”
Cassie nodded absently. “Her name is Destiny Pearlman. Her mom’s name is Mona and Mona thinks her daughter might be a little behind the other kids her age.”
“She’s not behind.” Quinn sighed. “I think she’s been used as a punching bag and while she doesn’t talk much, she watches plenty.” Pausing she asked, “What’s the mom’s story?”
Cassie shrugged. “Says she’s in an abusive relationship and needs a safe place to stay for a while.” She nodded at the little girl. “Claims her daughter has special needs but she doesn’t have any money for things like that. I gave her a small apartment for a few days, so I was surprised when Amos told me she left without her girl.” She nodded her head at Destiny. “I think it was an excuse myself. Mona had some fading bruises on her face and arms too. Her old man has worn her down to the point she just doesn’t care anymore and I don’t think she can cope with a daughter at the moment.”
Quinn’s hands curled into fists. “That child is in need of someone to give a shit what happens to her. God knows, her own mother doesn’t give a shit. Whatever her story is she isn’t slow or behind.”
Cassie laid her hand on Quinn’s arm. “I know sweetie. We can’t do anything about this though. She’s the mom, right or wrong she is that child’s mother. The only thing we can do is make a complaint to DSS of abandonment.”
“What will happen if we do that?” Quinn bit her lip.
“For the little girl?” Cassie asked. “DSS will investigate and probably put her in a foster home for a while. For us? DSS might investigate this place and shut us down until they determine what we’re doing here is safe for the children who stay here. Then Amos and his buddies might not be able to stay here. They might even be banned from being here at all if there are children living here. DSS probably would rather see us shut down, just to keep the kids safe if the guys all stay.”
Quinn snapped her head around to glare at Cassie. “How can you even say shit like that? Those men would die rather than hurt a child and you know it.” She growled.
Cassie nodded. “Of course, I know that and Amos would kick my ass for even suggesting they were doing something wrong here, but DSS won’t hesitate to suggest it. Not everyone appreciates what they do here. To everyone else, they are homeless men but we know differently. They are what makes this place happen, makes it safe for everyone who comes here.”
Quinn turned to watch Destiny sleep. “So what are we gonna do about her?”
“I don’t know,” Cassie admitted. “I don’t really want to call DSS, that’s a hornet nest I don’t want to stir up if I don’t have to.”
“We can’t just leave her here alone tonight.”
Cassie shrugged. “We can wait to call DSS but eventually, we have to call it in. We can give her a place to sleep tonight but if Mona doesn’t come back in the morning, then she’s abandoned her girl. Someone will have to stay with her though.”
Quinn nodded. “Ok, I had a date tonight with Chance but I’m sure he’ll understand. Just let me run over there and tell him what’s going on and I’ll be back.”
Cassie walked over to where Destiny was sleeping and carefully picked the little girl up. Then she looked over at Quinn. “I’ll carry her up to the room and get her settled. I can stay with her until you get back.”
Quinn reached down and grabbed her purse. “Ok, I’ll try not to be long.”