My Dawn

Chapter 6

“Tate Striker?” Mark asked.

“Yes sir. I was named after the football star from the 70’s.” Tate said.

“Interesting. I will talk to you soon. Hey, while I have you here, how does one go about having Dawn sleep over for Laura?” Mark asked.

“They ask her placement family. But Dawn isn’t allowed to ask anymore since she kept using the excuse to run to a park to sleep. She felt safer in a park than the home. If that doesn’t say how dangerous it was, nothing will.” Tate said.

Mark nodded.

“Are you able to call them and ask if Dawn can sleep over at a friend’s house?” Mark asked.

“I’m not allowed to make the request. Because they will assume the male caretaker is taking her for the night.” Tate explained.

“Can I have their number?” Mark asked.

Tate got his phone out.

“Try to explain the school wasn’t her fault, that way she might still have a place to stay.” Tate said.

Mark nodded and walked away to call them. Tate watched him in the distance as he spoke to them on the phone. He then looked at Dawn who was trying to talk to Patrick.

“I’m sorry you got in trouble.” Dawn said.

“It was your fault for snitching.” Patrick said.

“Dawn didn’t snitch.” Jessie said.

Patrick looked at him shocked.

“You will understand later. Right now, accept the apology and then apologise and we can move on.” Jessie said.

Patrick shook his head.

“Then Dawn, I am sorry for Patrick behaving like this now and before. Please accept my apology on behalf of him.” Jessie said.

Dawn raised her eyebrow at him.

“I guess.” She said confused and slowly.

“She’s allowed to sleep over. Can you grab some clothes for her from the home to take to ours?” Mark asked.

Tate nodded. Mark wrote the address down then pulled the esky out of his car.

“Chocolates and milks are for Dawn. When she gets upset it soothes her. But the waters, everyone can share. The sodas are for Dawn too.” Tate explained.

Mark nodded and carried it to Dawn as Tate got in his car and took off.

“Where’s he going?” Dawn asked confused.

“He’s getting you some spare clothes. You’re sleeping at our place tonight.” Mark said.

Dawn looked confused at him.

“But why? How?” Dawn asked.

“Because Laura and you can talk properly at home, and because you can use the spare bed to sleep. And I talked to Tate, he told me to call your placement home and I did. They said you can sleep over. So, Tate is getting your clothes.” Mark said.

Dawn still looked confused.

“They wouldn’t even let me go out without a social worker. How are they letting me sleep over?” Dawn asked.

“Don’t worry. Come on now, Tate has our address. He will bring it around soon.” Mark said.

Mark stood up and extended his hand to Dawn.

Dawn looked at his confused and grabbed it. She then helped Laura and Jessie up as Patrick got himself up.

“What’s with the esky?” Patrick asked.

“It’s for Dawn. Now Patrick, you are sitting with Jessie and Laura in the back.” Mark said.

“I thought Patrick always had the front?” Laura asked.

“Well, we have a female guest. And instead of making her sit in the back next to Jessie, or next to Patrick if Jessie was in the front, or in between them both if you were in the front Laura. It’s easier to just sit her in the front to keep her comfortable.” Mark explained.

“Oh.” Laura said.

Patrick didn’t look happy. Jessie was also confused. Was Mark going to be like one of those men that the boys mentioned had wanted to hurt Dawn. They noticed how he watched Dawn closely. Mark opened her door and then put the esky in the boot.

He put her bag and skateboard in the boot as well. Patrick and Laura watched closely and thought it was strange. Jessie kept his eyes on Dawn as Mark closed her door and got in his side. Dawn was looking out the window as Mark took off. He turned into a street to turn back around to head home. He pulled into the long driveway slowly. Dawn’s eyes were wide open. They approached a really large house. Mark noticed her facial expressions and chuckled.

“You okay Dawn?” Mark asked.

“Who lives here?” Dawn asked.

Her voice was like a squeak and she sounded like she was in shock.

“We do.” Mark said.

“Who else? You could fit like three different families in here at least.” Dawn said.

Her eyes were still wide, Laura laughed when she noticed. Mark looked at Dawn.

“Stay in your seat for a moment when we stop.” Mark said.

Dawn gulped visibly as she nodded. Mark and Laura laughed. Laura got out the car with the boys and Mark grabbed the esky and her stuff from the back. He walked to her door and opened it then helped her out of the car. Jessie and Patrick noticed Mark doing this. Mark never does this to Laura. Mark shut the car and locked it. He approached the house and unlocked it then turned lights on.

“Follow me, Dawn.” Mark said.

Dawn obeyed and followed him into the kitchen. He had the slow cooker on. Mark put the stuff on the counter.

“I thought we weren’t allowed to clutter the counter?” Patrick asked.

“When you’re 18 you can.” Mark replied.

Mark looked under the sink for the first aid kit. He put the first aid kit on the bench then lifted Dawn onto the counter. She made a shocked squeak. They watched him confused.

“Relax Dawn. I’m cleaning the sores from when you fell.” Mark said.

He opened the first aid kit and started to wipe alcohol wipes on her sores. She hissed in pain to them. He kept doing it. He carefully lifted her head up. Dawn kept flinching as he wiped her chin.

“Almost done.” Mark said.

Dawn gulped. Mark added antiseptic ointment to each sore before pulling large band aids on them. Mark lowered her head to look at him.

“There, was that so bad?” Mark asked.

Dawn nodded.