Chapter Text
Wiley arrived at the Creekers’ place with her son and Ronnie after the sun had long since fallen. The place was trashed with two cars parked out front. Wiley held the baby carrier closer to herself. Ronnie spit on the ground, and knocked on the door. Tracey was peaking out behind the curtain, and opened the door. She smiled at Wiley and helped her inside. Pat was at the dining room table, cleaning the guns when he saw Ronnie. He looked past to see Wiley, and gave his brother a look of dismay. He stood up, signalling for Ronnie to join him in the other room. Ronnie left, and Tracey quickly brought their guest to the couch.
She sat next to Wiley. “Hi Wiley. You okay?”
“Yeah.” Wiley said sadly, “My sister and I got into a fight.”
She reached for Wiley’s hand. “You have people here who care about you.”
“Thanks.”
Tracey looked into the carrier. “He’s so cute.”
“Yeah, he’s a week old.”
“There’s a guest room you can stay in. Let me show you.” Tracey offered, leading the way.
“Thanks. I don’t know how to repay you guys.” Wiley said resting the carrier on the bed.
Tracey bade Wiley goodnight, and closed the door behind her. She saw Pat outside of Ronnie’s room, shaking his head. “What was he thinking. She’s in danger now.”
“I don’t know. He said she was alone walking along the highway with the baby.” He walked to the kitchen and sat at the table. “I think he’s trying to make up for stealing the drugs.”
“I hope he knows what he’s done.”
Pat nodded and left. Tracey stayed watch for Melissa or anyone else looking for Wiley. She fell asleep at the table, only to be woken up at 6 am by Wiley trying to reach a pan that was just out of reach. She stretched, and reached over the younger girl to grab the it. Wiley held the pan close to her chest and turned around thanking her. Tracey smiled and rubbed the piercing on her bottom lip. She set up the table as Wiley cooked. After she made the places, Tracey went to care for Wiley’s son. He was just waking when Tracey saw him. She brought him out, giving him formula that they had around the house. Wiley smiled at the motherly attention her son got from Tracey.
“You’re a natural.” Wiley said, a smile painfully placed onto her face.
“I’m used to caring for infants. Just look at my brothers.”
Wiley laughed as she finished cooking. Tracey handed the baby to her. She knocked on the doors to wake up her siblings. Pat walked out, thanking Wiley for the food as he grabbed two pancakes. He waited for the others to sit down before he began eating. Wiley ate, but quickly left to the backroom to breastfeed her son.
“Ronnie, you should have left her in the city. She’s not safe here.” Pat whispered.
“She happier here though.”
Tracey slapped the back of his head,and said, “She has a baby Ronnie.”
“Sorry, but who do you trust more, us or pretty boy.”
Tracey got up and walked to her room. Pat shook his head and cleaned the dishes. Ronnie rolled his eyes and continued eating, handing his empty plate to his brother. Ronnie kept giving Wiley creepy looks as the days continued on. Tracey watched what her brother did carefully. She cared for Wiley, and didn’t know what her brother had in mind. As the days passed, Tracey kept a protective arm around Wiley as often as she could, worrying about her brother’s plans. While her brothers were out, Tracey had decided to show the younger girl around the plot. Wiley put her son to bed, and followed the older girl around.
“This is Pat and Ronnie’s room. But Ronnie has his own place in an RV.” She said pointing to a room with a ‘Korn’ poster on the door. She then pointed to a door across the way. “That’s my room.” She continued down the hall. “That’s our cousin’s room.” She said pointing to the door at the end of the hall. “Any other questions, don’t be afraid to ask Pat or me.”
Wiley nodded, walking back up the hallway. Tracey went to her room and began organizing her room. After a few hours, Wiley knocked on Tracey’s door. She let her in, asking what was wrong. The younger girl had wanted to take a walk while her son was still asleep. Tracey nodded, and walked out. Wiley put her jacket on and followed her outside. They walked around the plot having time to talk.
“So, I heard that Ronnie stole drugs… Is that true?” Wiley asked.
“Ronnie says, he stole three bottles of opium. But it’s been hard to trust him ever since our parents died.”
“Sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault, Wiley.” Tracey said, tucking a loose hair behind her ear.
The other girl awkwardly followed the rest of the way down the path. When they were at the doorstep, Tracey leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the shorter girl’s forehead. Wiley blushed and looked down. They walked in and stripped off their coats and scarves. Tracey made a cup of hot chocolate. Offering a cup to Wiley. The latter turned down the offer and checked on her son. She came back and sat across from Tracey.
“I was thinking about naming him Jason or William.”
Tracey nodded and smiled. “He seems like a Jason.”
Wiley looked down, but asked, “Do you like me?”
“What?” Tracey asked taken aback.
“You kissed my forehead, I was just wondering.” She said trying to clear up the question.
Tracey didn’t answer but put away her cup. “Sorry.” She walked to her room and locked the door. She lay down on her bed thinking, ‘I can’t… or… No, you’re straight. But it could be a possibility… God fucking dammit.’ Tracey sat up, her heart beating like the bass in a drum line. She looked at the mirror in her room and slumped her shoulders. ‘I can’t do that to them. I’m straight… right? Yes, or maybe not.’ She fell into her bed, sleeping in her bed as her mind raced with every possibility. Her heart beat faster when she considered that she wasn’t straight.
Wiley knocked on her door the next day, telling her that breakfast was ready. The girls sent fleeting glances towards each other, trying not to grab the attention of the boys. When they were cleaning the dishes, Tracey walked closer to Wiley. She placed the silverware away and sat down as Wiley placed the final dishes on in the cabernet.
“You asked if I liked you.” Tracey began.
“Yeah, sorry if that was, you know, invading your…”
“It’s fine, Wiley.” She took a few seconds and continued. “I don’t know. I think… but I’m not sure.”
Wiley reached for Tracey’s hand, but was met with a pull away. She then leaned in, her face a mere two inches away from the other’s. Tracey leaned in and placed a light kiss on Wiley’s lips. The kiss was soft and kind. Wiley pulled after a few seconds and opened her eyes. She read the look on the Creekers’ face and placed a second kiss on her cheek, leaving to care for her son. Tracey leaned back in her chair, thinking of what just happened. She spent to rest of the day away from Wiley, trying to decipher the younger girl’s sudden confidence and genuine rush of emotion. Wiley walked to Tracey’s door, knocking on the dark wood. The older girl opened it and stood in the doorway.
“Did you mean it?”
Wiley shrugged and nodded at question. “Yeah.”
“Do you like me?”
She nodded, not needing to answer verbally. Wiley said goodnight and went to bed.