The week went fast. Rob and Linc carried on as normal. Becky and Sheila went to the house three days in a row. They made a pile of rubbish in the front yard. Michael fixed the door on Wednesday. The house was liveable minus a television and microwave because Jared Bridgestone had smashed them both.

By Thursday, Becky was no longer using crutches but walked with a limp. The swelling had gone down; however, the dark bruise remained. It had started to turn an awful yellowish green colour. The stitches in the back of her head were itchy. Becky couldn't wait until they were taken out.

Sheila dusted off a photo that had been hanging on the wall. She was about to put it back on the hook when Becky came into the lounge room.

"Don't put it up. I'm going to throw it."

"Really?" Sheila studied the man and woman with a child on each of their laps. They appeared happy. Becky and Linc looked a lot like their mother but had their father's eye colour. "How about we put it in your Dad's room? In a drawer."

"I don't want it." Becky took the photo and threw it on top of a pile of rubbish.

Sheila watched as Becky turned and walked away. She glanced down at the image. Michael had told her the story so she understood Becky's feelings concerning the picture. She couldn't help but think Becky would regret throwing it away one day so she grabbed the photo, and hid it in a drawer in Jared's room under a pile of shirts, and then she quickly picked up the rest of the rubbish and took it all to the industrial bin they had hired. That way if Becky asked she could say she had thrown the picture in with everything else.

Sheila closed the lid and turned to see Becky at the bottom of the stairs. She said, "How about we have a break? Maybe go to the shopping centre and get some lunch. We can buy a new shower curtain while we're there."

"Okay." Becky smiled. She liked Rob's mother a lot. As each day passed, she liked her more and more. Sheila was funny, and continually told stories of when Rob was growing up. He got so embarrassed but always took it with good humour. Becky couldn't help but feel envious of the childhood he'd had. She kept thinking about Linc and knew his life would be so much better if he stayed with the Jarvis's.

"I think we should get some takeaway for dinner because I ain't cooking," Sheila called out as she clipped the last shower curtain hook over the rail and stepped off the chair. She grinned at Becky. "What do you think? The place isn't looking so bad and we've busted our guts all week. Time for a reward."

"Sounds good. But I'm paying." Becky grabbed the chair and made her way into the kitchen. "Linc loves Macca's and Rob loves KFC." She smirked at Sheila. "I think we should get KFC. Do you and Michael like it?"

"Yes... but I don't feel right about you paying for it."
"No arguments, Sheila." Becky held her hand up and gave her a stern look. "You've done so much for us. I'm paying."

"All right." Sheila shrugged and looked at the time. "Linc was staying with Rob while he trained. I think they'll be home soon so we'll pick it up on the way."

"Unless they go to the café." Becky grabbed her mobile. "I'll give him a text and tell him not to go because they'll fill up on burgers and chips."

"That bugger." Sheila laughed. "That's why he's never hungry the nights he trains. He makes out exercise turns him off food."

"Now I've got him into trouble." Becky giggled and sent the text. 'We're getting KFC for dinner so don't go to the café ☺'

'Ok but I promised Linc I'd take him. He's been hanging out all day. Will only get drinks.' ♥♥♥

Becky smiled. He always sent three love hearts. "Rob promised Linc he'd take him to the café so he's only going to buy them a drink each." She looked up at Sheila. "Is that okay? I'll tell him it's not if that's what you want."

"Why don't you go too? You haven't seen your friends all week." Sheila gave Becky a gentle smile. "They're probably hanging out to see you." She lifted the car keys. "I'll drop you off and you can get Rob to take you to KFC on the way home." Sheila chortled. "That'll give me a chance to soak in the bathtub with a glass of wine." She winked. "What do you think?"

"Okay." Becky laughed. Her eyes filled with tears. She had a sudden urge to give Sheila a hug so she threw her arms around her neck. "Thank you so much. You are the best Mum ever."

Sheila didn't know what to say so she didn't say anything. She gave Becky a big squeeze and kissed the top of her head. "Come on. I'm sure everyone will love to see you. Especially those two boys."

Becky was glad she had jeans on. It would be hard enough limping into the café with everyone looking let alone having them see the bruise. She watched from the door. They were all laughing and in conversation with each other. Linc was beaming up at Rob as he laughed across at something Scott said. Trin had her hand at the back of Scott's neck fiddling with his hair.

Drew was beside her with Lizzy sitting on the opposite side of the table right next to Rob. Becky watched her touch Rob's bicep. He had a toothpick in his mouth and pulled it out when he smiled down at her as she spoke. A surge of anger flourished in Becky's brain. Why was Rob being nice to her after what she had said about him and Trin at the movies? Her stomach muscles tightened and her chest constricted. They were all so involved with each other no one even noticed or cared she was there.

Becky, still holding the door, sucked in a breath and turned to leave when someone wolf whistled. The place suddenly erupted in commotion. Becky looked back. They had all started to stand, cheering and clapping, whistling, and waving their arms about.

Trin clambered around Scott and raced towards her. "Becky...!" She threw herself at her nearly toppling them both.

"Shit. Trin. What are you doing?" Though the force had caused Becky pain, she couldn't help but laugh. "You nearly knocked me over."

"Oh... sorry, babe. I'm just so glad to see you. School's a boring piece of shit without you."

"Oi. I'm there." Scott mock-scowled then bent and planted a kiss on Becky's forehead. "Good to see you up and about. Come on. Before Rob gets jealous."

"He looks too busy with Lizzy to be worried about being jealous over me," Becky whispered in Trin's ear as they clung to each other while they walked toward the booth.

"What... no way. He's been swatting her away all week." Trin pinched Becky's cheek. "I think I know who's jealous."

"Yeah." Becky laughed. "You know me too well."

"She just needs the loo!" Trin called, and then steered Becky into the corridor leading to the toilets. "How are you? I wished you'd told me what your dad was like. I'd have been there for you. You do know that don't you?" Trin sighed and gave Becky a hug.

"We all have our problems, Trin. There's nothing worse than having a friend always whining about their life." Becky gave Trin a big squeeze.

"Rob's only told me and Drew the truth." Trin murmured. "Everyone else thinks you fell down your stairs."

"Wow." She smiled. "He never told me he said that. I thought everyone would know the truth of it by now."

"He's been protecting you all week." Trin wagged her finger at Becky. "So no more shit talk about Lizzy, okay. It's only you he thinks about."

"Who's thinking about her?"

The girls looked up to see Rob leaning his shoulder against the wall with his arms folded. "You. Idiot." Trin poked her tongue at him, swirled away, and headed back into the snack bar.

Rob laughed as he watched her go, and then looked back at Becky. He pushed off the bricks and stepped toward her. "Do you need help going to the loo?" He cocked his head and grinned. "Your slave is willing and ready." Rob's hands slid around her waist. He kissed her, and then studied her face. "Why did Trin need to tell you it's only you I think about?"

"I was jealous." Becky clasped her hands behind his neck. "Lizzy was all gooey eyes at you when I came in and you were smiling at her." Becky sighed. "I thought you'd never want to speak to her again after telling me about you and Trin."

"Ah... you are a jealous one." Rob tittered and shrugged. "Truth is, it's better that she told you. Now you know all there is to know and you still love me."

"Pff..." Becky scoffed and gave him a playful shove. "I've never said I love you."

"Yeah." Rob scooped her up. Becky squealed. He sucked on her ear lobe. "You will," he murmured. "Do you need the toilet?"

"No." Becky clung to his neck and grinned. "Take me to my people, slave."

Rob laughed and carried her to the booth. He put her on the seat. "Do you want a drink?"

"No thanks. We're having KFC so I'm saving myself."

"Are we?" Linc beamed. "I love KFC."

"I thought you loved Macca's?" Becky chuckled and shook her head. "I can't keep up with you. It's a different thing every day."

Linc jiggled his eyebrows. "I love them both now."

"How are you, Becky?" Shauna bent and gave her a cuddle. "Rob said you fell through a rotten step at your place and hit your head."

"Yes. Stupid aren't I?" Becky smiled and turned her head so Shauna could see the stitches. "I banged my thigh too but I'm all good now. Just a bit tender."

"Come on, woman." Greg grabbed Shauna's hand. "Gotta go." He grinned at Becky. "Glad to hear you're okay, Becky." He pistol pointed at her. "See you at the game tomorrow night."

"Thanks." Becky beamed. "See you then." She thought how stupid she was for thinking no one cared about her. In one way or another, they all acknowledged her. Even Lizzy.

Copyright © 2017 by Donna Fieldhouse. All rights reserved.

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