Swollen (Chapter Two)

she drove across town, past the empty warehouses, to a quiet neighborhood down on the poor side. she helped him into the house, past the foreclosure notice on the door. there were no lights, and it was cold. in the little room at the back of the house she lit a candle. she helped him to a chair. he heard a rustling in the corner. she walked over and picked the baby up and held him close. he could see the blood crusting on her lips in the half light, the bruises under her eyes. 'mister, i have to feed the baby, i dont have anything to offer you...' they made small talk as she fed the baby. she'd lost her job, and they'd been evicted from her apartment. she had no family, and nowhere to go for help. the baby's daddy was in prison. she was an ex-addict. had been straight since before she was pregnant. lately, she'd turned a couple tricks for food money. she hoped no one knew they were staying here. but it was just a matter of time...