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Esther
Zoe’s knee wasn’t as bad as it had looked at first glance. The pants were ruined, and it was a mighty scrape, but it had bled enough that it seemed pretty clean, and it was already starting to scab over.
“I swear to God I won’t do it again.”
“Don’t swear to God.” Esther poured iodine over the wound. It probably didn’t need it, but she wanted it to sting.
Zoe didn’t even flinch.
So much for that plan. She found a large square of gauze and gently placed it on her knee.
“I’m sorry. It was awful. I thought Jason was going to be there. I only went to see him because his girlfriend is stupid and ...”
Jason? As in Jason DeGrave? Esther didn’t know where Zoe had gone, but based on the evidence in front of her, she didn’t think it was the type of event that Jason would attend.
“I thought Jason was going to be there,” she said again, her words slowing down. “But he wasn’t, and his stupid girlfriend wasn’t, and everyone laughed at me.”
Esther’s anger faded. “Why did they laugh at you?”
Zoe shrugged. “Dunno,” she said softly.
Esther thought about what to say next as she wrapped and taped the knee. But when she looked at her granddaughter, she had fallen asleep, her head resting on her own shoulder.
Gently, Esther helped her to lie down. She pulled her shoes off and then pulled her heavy legs up onto the couch. They didn’t quite fit. She gently bent Zoe’s knees and tucked her feet onto the cushion. Then she pulled the blanket up over her. It was almost too small. She had to get her a bigger blanket. And maybe a bigger couch. Earlier that evening she’d been contemplating sending her back to Missouri. Now she wanted to keep her forever.
She straightened up and looked down at her granddaughter. How had that little girl Zoe turned into this young woman? This big, strong young woman. How had her granddaughter become a person who made such terrible decisions? Christy hadn’t been like this when she was young. And Esther certainly hadn’t. If she had, she would have spent her entire adolescence in the woodshed.
She bent over and kissed Zoe on her forehead. Then she turned the light off and went to her bedroom. She should have had her drink some water, but it was too late now. Besides, maybe a horrible hangover would do her some good.
Esther was exhausted. She knew she could sleep till noon, but she had to get up in a few hours to get Zoe to school. And Zoe would sure as Sunday be going to school in the morning, hungover or not. Esther kicked off her slippers, turned off her light, and then knelt beside her bed.
And she prayed for her granddaughter.
