Third Person
Madison leaned against the SUV, wearing dark sunglasses and a scarf, with her hair down. Her neck was almost black with bruises, and she could barely speak, but she would claim she had a cold and take Titus out for an earlier dinner. Then, once home, they could watch a movie until his brother came home to fire her.
She sighed. Her head was pounding, and her body was exhausted.
When the bell rang, she waited until Titus ran toward her before kneeling to hug him. She needed this hug more than he knew.
“What’s wrong?” The boy asked, pulling back.
“Just a cold,” Madison rasped, just above a whisper.
He cupped her cheek with a small hand. “I’ll take care of you.”
The dark sunglasses covered the tears in her eyes. This bright, caring boy had been the light she had needed in
