Brianna had come over at seven, but Zachary wasn’t home yet. She decided to wait, and after an hour Esmerelda suggested dinner. Brianna didn’t think it fair to make Eliza wait any longer so she had dinner with the child and afterward she played a video dance game before Eliza went to bed. She didn’t know what was taking Zachary so long, but he’d better have had a good excuse for standing her up.
Eventually, Esmerelda put Eliza to bed for the night, and Brianna was preparing to leave. Chino was helping her on with her coat when the front door opened and Zachary came in hugging his ribs with a nasty bruise forming at his right temple. Brianna was instantly concerned. “Oh my god, what happened?”
“I’m fine.” He lied.
“You’re hurt.” She protested coming to his side. She wrapped his arm arou
