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Ann parked her truck in front of room six at the Harmony B&B, which was actually a shitty motel that no longer served breakfast. She killed the engine and turned to Maggie. Pinky, on the seat between them, tried to lick Ann’s face. Ann pushed her away, but it only made her try harder.
Maggie giggled. “She loves you.” The girl hugged the dog. Ann patted Pinky’s head and got out of the truck. She ran around to the passenger side and helped Maggie out. Pinky jumped out too and sniffed around. They walked to the door together, and Ann knocked. Maggie took Ann’s hand.
“Who is it?” Raghib’s voice came through the door.
“Ann.”
“You shouldn’t be here.” He opened the door. His eyes landed on Maggie.
“Baba?” Maggie said, her eyes wide and round. “Baba?” Her voice raised twelve octaves and came out a squeal. Ann couldn’t tell if she was excited, shocked, happy, or horrified. Her face contorted, and she opened her arms to him. And then she threw up spaghetti all over the welcome mat.
Ann ushered Maggie inside and settled her on the couch with some blankets while Raghib cleaned up the mess. Pinky pushed her way past Raghib and jumped on the couch with Maggie. She gently lay down and rested her head on Maggie’s body. The dog’s noggin was nearly the size of Maggie’s small torso.
“I’m sorry,” Maggie whispered to Ann, her hands resting behind Pinky’s ears. She looked over at Raghib as he closed the door and threw away the paper towels with a disgusted face.
“It is okay, my child,” Raghib said. He washed his hands and came over to the couch. Ann backed away. “Even the mother of humanity is allowed to be sick.” He looked at Ann. “How much spaghetti did you cram into my granddaughter?” He smiled.
Ann smiled back. Raghib moved to sit on the edge of the couch, but Pinky growled and shifted her head to block him.
“She’s my protector, too, now,” Maggie said with a smile. “It’s okay, Pinky. This is my Baba.” The dog made a content grumbling sound and nestled against Maggie’s hand, but her eyes kept darting to Raghib every twitch he made. He pulled a chair over to the couch instead and sat down.
Ann felt like she was intruding on an important and private moment, so she stepped into the small kitchenette. She looked at her reflection in the window over the sink and wondered how she got here, to this place, to right here right now. How did she get here without knowing anything?
Raghib touched her elbow. “She’s asking for you.”
Ann went to Maggie’s side. Pinky allowed her to sit on the edge of the couch.
Maggie relaxed against the pillows. “Will you stay here until I fall asleep?”
Ann nodded and pushed a stray lock of hair from Maggie’s forehead. Though she liked kids, Ann had never wanted any ankle biters of her own. She didn’t think she had motherly instinct. But this was different. Maggie was hers to protect. And part of protecting a child was making sure they were comforted, too. Right?
Maggie closed her eyes, and before long, her breathing grew deeper. Her hand slid off of Pinky’s head, and the dog pushed closer to Maggie with a groan. Ann joined Raghib in the little kitchen area.
“I know I’m her Protector,” Ann said. “And I know I’m the one to watch over her.” She struggled to explain.
Raghib touched her shoulder. “I will take care of her,” he said. “Besides, you’ll know.” He pointed at the mark.
“Right. Call me if you need anything. I’m sure she’ll be hungry later since . . . you know.” She motioned to the porch. “Do you have food?” Ann reached for the fridge to check out the grocery situation. Raghib stopped her.
“Yes. I am prepared.”
Ann looked over at Maggie, then back at Raghib. “Thank you.” She paused in the doorway. “Keep an eye on the dog, would you?”
Raghib smiled. “I think the dog is going to keep an eye on me.”
As Ann drove away, a chill worked its way through her core. She felt weird. Like she was leaving her own child with a stranger. Her dad said she could trust Raghib. That small ounce of assurance was enough. Wasn’t it? It had to be.
Ann pulled into her driveway and went inside, where Teresa’s sordid past sat on her coffee table waiting to be reviewed.