The Swap

The second Betty walked in, she was already a mess—tears streaking her face, bruises on her arms.

Damian jumped up first, leading her to the couch.

"Betty, what happened?"

She sobbed dramatically, rolling up her sleeve to show the bruises. "He got drunk again and hit me! Look at this!" She even rested her hand on Damian's leg, but I didn't care. My brain was spinning with one thought: Rick.

I cut in fast. "He hit you—what about Rick?"

Her face twisted in disgust. "That useless brat? Honestly, I'd be better off if he got beaten to death. He just stood there, watching me get hit. Didn't lift a finger. Totally worthless. What did I do to deserve a kid like him? He's nothing but dead weight."

I frowned. "He's ten. What did you expect him to do? Fight off a drunk adult?"

"Ten? So what?" She scoffed. "Look at our Hugo—he's strong, adorable, nothing like that scrawny little chicken of yours. I don't even know who Rick takes after."

I caught the slip immediately. My voice stayed calm. "Your Hugo?"

Betty quickly backtracked. "Oh, Amelia, you know me—big mouth! I just love Hugo so much, I feel like he's my own. That's all I meant. You know how close we are—what's yours is mine, right?"

She flashed a sugary smile, but her eyes were all challenge.

I stayed quiet, already planning how to check on Rick without tipping her off.

Before I could move, Hugo burst in, flopping onto Damian's lap.

"Daddy, I want a hamburger!"

Damian's face hardened. "Look at yourself—you're already overweight. No hamburgers. It's late. Go to bed."

"No! I want one! I want one now!"

Hugo's tantrum kicked in full force. Betty swooped in, wrapping him up like he was the victim.

"Hugo, darling, don't cry. I will take you out for burgers. How about two? Would that cheer you up?" She turned to Damian and winked, like they were sharing some inside joke.

My chest ached so bad I could barely breathe.

Then came a knock at the door.

When I opened it, there was Rick.

His timid voice cracked as he said, "Aunt Amelia, is my mom here? Dad told me to come find her."

I pulled him inside, barely stopping myself from hugging him. As subtly as I could, I checked him over for injuries.

Behind me, Betty's sharp voice cut through. "Get out of here! What are you doing, tracking dirt all over their floor? I'm taking Hugo out for burgers. Tell your dad I'm not coming home!"

Rick's eyes clouded with hurt. I knelt, smoothing his hair. "Rick, do you want a hamburger?"

Before he could answer, Hugo charged over and kicked him. "I don't want to eat with him! He stinks like trash!"

Betty stormed over, grabbed Rick, and shoved him toward the door.

"Why are you still standing here like a useless scarecrow? Didn't I tell you to get lost? Go home!"

That was it. I couldn't hold back anymore.

"That's enough!" I snapped. "Stop yelling in my house! Aren't you worried about what the neighbors will think?"

I grabbed Rick's hand and glared at Damian, my voice like ice. "It's late. I'll take him home. You all go eat your burgers."

At the door, I turned to Hugo and smiled. "Eat a lot, okay? If you finish three, there's a reward waiting when you get back."

I didn't wait for a reply. I shut the door, then held Rick's hand tightly as we walked down the stairs together.