The Advocate (The Advocate Series) by Teresa Burrell Read Free Book Online Page B

morning,’ ‘I love you,’ and lots of other stuff. Mattie taught me something new every day.”
    “How long have you known Mattie?”
    “Since we came back to Atlanta from . . .” Alexis caught herself and didn’t finish her sentence. “She was in my class. I was new and she was real nice to me. We sat next to each other.”
    “It sounds like Mattie is a great friend. No wonder you miss her.”
    “Yeah, I miss her so much. She shared my bed, you know . . .” Alexis stopped talking for a second, looking at Sabre with her eyes wide open like she surprised herself. She picked up where she left off. “. . . whenever she would stay the night. She would stay sometimes. We’d have slumber parties, just the two of us.”
    “Did you ever stay at her house?”
    “Nope. She only stayed at mine. Father doesn’t like me to stay overnight anywhere. He doesn’t like me staying at Jordan. He says I should be going home soon. Will I?” Her voice held little emotion.
    “I’m not certain yet. We’ll go back to court in a few days, and the judge will decide whether you can go home or if you need to stay out a little longer.”
    “But I’ll go home sometime?” Alexis’ expression did not change.
    “Do you want to go back home to your father?”
    “Sure. Who wouldn’t want to go home to their father?” Obviously a canned response.
    On the ride back to Jordan Receiving Home, Alexis chattered about things she had seen or heard while in the Home. She talked about new kids who had come in and others who had been there awhile. She seemed to know just about everything going on there.
    By the time they arrived Jamie had fallen asleep, so Sabre took him out of the car seat and carried him in. She handed Jamie to one of the workers and turned to Alexis. “You have your paper and envelope to write to Mattie. If you can have the letter done, I’ll swing by here tomorrow, pick it up, and get it in the mail for you. It should arrive in a couple of days. I’m sure she’ll enjoy hearing from you.”
    “I’ll have it ready. She’ll like getting a letter.” Sabre detected sadness in her voice.
    “Good night, Alexis. I enjoyed our time together.”
    Alexis took a step toward Sabre, and with her arms stretched out, reached up to hug her. Sabre reciprocated and Alexis held on for a couple seconds, then let go, said, “Bye,” and ran back to her room with a staff member.
    “She must like you a lot,” said the attendant.
    “Why’s that?”
    “Because, as long as she’s been here, she has not allowed one staff member to hug her. She’s a very lonely little girl.”

7
     
     
    After court the next day, Sabre stopped by Jordan Receiving Home to pick up Alexis’ letter to mail to Mattie. The two of them sat for awhile in the visiting room with Alexis chattering away and Sabre listening. Alexis appeared to be comfortable at Jordan now, and she knew every staff member and every nook and cranny in the building. In the midst of her chatter, Alexis turned to Sabre and said, “I’ve been thinking. You know that confidential stuff you told me about. Is that really true? If I tell you something, you can’t tell anyone?”
    “That’s absolutely right. You have my word. Why? Is there something you want to tell me?”
    Alexis looked down at her feet and twisted her body back and forth. She remained silent for a few seconds and then said, “Nope. Just wondering.”
    “Well, if at any time you want to tell me a secret, you can be sure I’ll keep it. I need to go now, but I’ll see you soon. You have my card. If you want to talk, just give me a call. I wrote my cell phone on the back, so you can reach me any time.” Alexis gave Sabre a quick hug, handed her the letter to mail to Mattie, and walked off, chattering to the attendant.
    Sabre stopped at the post office and mailed Alexis’ letter on her way back to her office. Elaine greeted her when she walked in. “Here’s your mail and your phone messages. Detective Carriage