The Loudest Silence (Part One) by Olivia Janae

Author:Olivia Janae [Janae, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: Heartsome Publishing
Published: 2017-09-18T23:00:00+00:00

“Really, you don’t have to! Puke is gross! Being a parent is gross!” Kate insisted as she climbed out of the car, holding Max and the large Ziploc he had been sick in.

“I found a parking spot, Ms. Flynn. That alone is proof that I am meant to come up and help you this evening.”

It was true they had found a parking spot, but it was a solid six blocks away from her apartment. She wasn’t completely sure that counted as fate. She couldn’t let Vivian come with her. Five minutes in this neighborhood and the usually crisply clean woman would run away screaming, never to be heard from again.

“Seriously, Viv—” Her lips smacked shut at the chilling look she received, so reminiscent of that fierce woman she had first met. “Okay then. This way,” she said, clasping her pepper spray under Max’s behind.

Vivian looked at it, obviously startled.

“I’ve never actually needed it,” Kate promised, her cheeks burning.

Vivian gave a silent nod and followed her down the street.

They walked in silence for a block, Vivian surveying the area carefully. “You know, perhaps I’ve been disillusioned by movies and television, but I’ve always thought that the harder neighborhoods of Chicago would be a little more intimidating. You said that this area was less than desirable, but I find it to be quite charming.”

Mortification trickled down Kate’s spine. Vivian was looking into the courtyard of the cute apartment building they were walking past. The grass was green and trimmed, as were the bushes and the small flower beds, and along the walkway were tall, dim lamps giving off a welcoming glow. “Yeah, that place is cute.”

Max moaned and spilled sick down Kate’s back. “I’m sorry, Mommy,” he cried, hiccupping out some more tears.

She cringed, her stomach rolling. Her hangover had quieted hours ago, but now she paused, wondering if she might be sick as well. She closed her eyes, willing her gorge to recede. She could not throw up in front of Vivian. She could not throw up in front of Vivian. She took a few shallow breaths, praying to the universe.

“It’s okay, don’t worry, little man,” she finally said, when her stomach had settled. Kate picked up her pace, trying not to watch Vivian’s face for a reaction.

As they walked, the neighborhood began to change. The flower bushes in front of the apartments disappeared, giving way to broken Styrofoam cups, beer bottles, and empty chip bags. The pleasantly glowing lights turned into obnoxious orange street lamps and blinking police surveillance boxes. The sidewalks filled with small groups of teenagers, all menacingly clustered together, all watching them pass with hooded eyes and the distinct feeling that they were up to no good. Vivian’s eyes flash warily as they passed them.

“Uh, this is it.”

Vivian nodded once. “I see.”

Kate’s cheeks flamed brightly. “Yeah. It’s fine during the day but at night—”

“Hey, Snow Bunny,” her usual thug called, cutting off Kate’s words. He and his friends were crowded around the entrance to her building, gathering for whatever reason; Kate had to assume drug sales.

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