Chapter 8

They lapsed into silence as Ray drove the rest of the way into the Los Angeles neighborhood. He knew of worse areas. But he still found himself concerned for Nick’s family. And Nick for that matter. He couldn’t fathom growing up there.

He pulled up to a curb in front of a tiny little bungalow style house with bars on the window. In the driveway were two junky cars that didn’t appear to run. Every other house on the narrow block looked pretty much the same.

“Go to hell!” The front door flew open and banged against the wall. A young blond girl of about sixteen or seventeen came flying out. She crossed her arms across her chest and stared at them as Nick and Ray got out of the car.

“What’s going on?” Nick asked.

Her bottom lip quivered. “Mom’s a bitch.”

“Don’t call her that. She’s still your mom, Vanessa.”

“I wish she wasn’t!”

Nick threw a glance in Ray’s direction, then cleared his throat. “Don’t say that.”