My Dawn

Chapter 7

Mark laughed at her agreeing it was bad. Mark looked into her eyes. He noticed they were two different shades of blue.

“Huh, have you had your eyes checked?” Mark asked.

Dawn looked shocked. She shook her head.

“Why?” Dawn asked.

“I just noticed that they are two different shades of blue. One is light blue while the other is dark blue.” Mark said.

Mark was putting the first aid kit back under the sink then putting the rubbish in the bin. He helped Dawn off the counter then washed his hands. Dawn looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Laura walked up close to Dawn and looked in her eyes.

“Dad’s right. They are different shades. How have I not noticed this?” Laura asked.

Dawn shrugged her shoulders.

“Let’s show Dawn where she will be sleeping whenever she sleeps over. Then you all can go play until her clothes are here. Then it’s shower and get ready for dinner.” Mark said.

The kids nodded. The boys followed to the upper level and Mark took Dawn to the room next to Laura’s. Between the room intended for Patrick and Laura. She would be awkwardly between them both. Jessie was sleeping in Patrick’s room. He usually slept in the room that Dawn is now sleeping in. He didn’t mind though. She was in a nice bed and a nice house right now.

That night after Dawn showered. She was in a short black sleeping gown with short pants underneath. The boys kept staring at her in it, it was tight around her stomach and Mark realised the boys were staring and that she was starting to develop. He looked at Laura and whispered.

“The boys are staring at her, can you whisper to her and ask if she wants to wear one of your crop tops to feel better? We can buy her some clothes tomorrow for whenever she sleeps over.” Mark whispered.

Laura nodded and grabbed Dawn’s hand to run away. Dawn giggled as she ran after Laura. Laura closed her door to her room and pulled a crop top out of her drawers.

“Dad said the boys are watching your chest. Do you want to wear one of these tonight to feel comfortable? Dad said we can buy you some clothes for whenever you sleepover next time.” Laura said.

Dawn nodded and smiled.

“Thank you, Laura.” Dawn said.

Dawn started crying and Laura hugged her. Dawn lifted her gown off of her to put the crop top on. Laura saw the bruising along Dawn’s lower back and underneath the small pants, along her thighs. But pretended to not see it. She waited for the gown to be on then Dawn turned around to face her again.

“So, want to race downstairs?” Laura asked.

“YES!” Dawn squealed.

They started running. Mark was at the dining table when he walked into the next room. He saw she had a crop top on now. He saw them racing. Dawn climbed onto the railing and slid down.

“That’s cheating!” Laura gasped.

“It’s not in the rules.” Dawn giggled.

Mark laughed. Dawn stood up while Laura was still running downstairs.

“I beat you downstairs.” Dawn said sweetly.

There was a cheeky tone in her words.

“Dawn, I put the drinks and snacks for you in the fridge on the bottom shelf. The boys have been told not to touch them and Laura will know not to as well because I’ll tell her.” Mark said.

Laura reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Tell me what?” Laura asked.

“The drinks and chocolate at the bottom of the fridge are for Dawn. Tate got them for her. No one is to touch them except Dawn.” Mark said.

“Yes daddy.” Laura said.

“Can I have a drink now?” Dawn asked.

“Of course, they are yours.” Mark said.

Dawn ran to the kitchen while Laura walked to her dad.

“Dawn has bruises.” Laura whispered.

“Where?” Mark asked.

Laura gestured to her lower back, but her hand gestured to her thighs as well. Mark looked pale.

“Keep an eye on her, she might have been hurt from her home she’s in.” Mark whispered.

“Is that why you have been nice to let her in the front and help her on the counter?” Laura asked.

“Yes, she needs to know she isn’t going to get hurt here.” Mark said.

“I’m glad.” Laura said.

“Laura, how would you feel, if I tried to get the legal documents to have Dawn stay with us?” Mark asked.

“I’d love it.” Laura said.

“I hoped you said that. She needs a permanent home. That’s why she was given the room next to yours.” Mark said.

“Thank you, daddy.” Laura said.

Laura hugged Mark tight. Dawn walked in with one of her sodas in her hand. Mark and Laura looked at her. Patrick and Jessie were walking in behind her. Dawn burped a small burp. Mark laughed.

“Good drink huh?” Mark asked.

“I got another one brewing.” Dawn said.

Jessie held his laugh back. Dawn took another sip and offered some to Laura. Then Dawn drank some more and finished the can. She held her stomach and looked like she was going to be sick.

“Do you need a bucket?” Mark asked.

Dawn let out a really loud burp. Mark laughed really loud.

“I’m sorry, but I did say one was brewing. That was a big one. Pardon me.” Dawn said.

Jessie and Patrick laughed at her.

“Dawn.” Laura said.

“Yes?” Dawn asked.

“Tag your it.” Laura said.

Dawn laughed then chased after Laura. Laura ran outside the back and they ran around the yard together. Mark finished putting the bowls at the table. He grabbed some bread rolls and put them in the oven. He put glasses and utensils at the table.

“Patrick, Jessie. We need to talk.” Mark said.

He gestured for them to walk with him to the kitchen.

“Keep an eye out on Dawn. Laura saw bruising when Dawn was with her putting the crop top on. She’s getting hurt where she lives. I am going to try to see if I can get her to stay here full time. But there’s some legal stuff to work out. And I need you both to stop staring at her chest like you did earlier. That’s why Laura helped her cover up.” Mark said.

“Is that why you are being nicer to her than you are to Laura?” Patrick asked.

“What do you mean?” Mark asked.

“The door opening, the sitting on the counter, the drink, the fact you took her side and didn’t care that Laura was crying which is why I pushed her.” Patrick said.

“Look, face the facts Patrick. You can’t justify why hitting a girl is okay. Pushing her is the same as hitting her. And she heard her parents get murdered, she saw their bodies and tried waking them. She has been through a lot. Tate the support worker, he was the first support worker she has gotten. And he told me everything. She’s been through a lot. She deserves a break. Hell she’s only 10 and she’s seen more death than most people. Give her a chance. If you see her cry, get her a milk and a chocolate. That was Tate’s instructions. The dairy helps her.” Mark said.

A loud scream came from Laura as she ran into the house.

“Daddy!” Laura screamed.

Laura was scared.

“What Laura?” Mark asked in a worried tone.

“Dawn got bitten!” Laura screamed.

“By what?” Mark asked.