Chapter 23: Pieces of the Puzzle

*Thelma*

“Are you okay, sweetie?”

Hearing Ma’s voice on the phone fills me with sadness. I miss her so much and want to tell her everything that is going on, but that will just make her worried. I have to summon all the strength I can muster to put on a great performance.

“I am fine, Ma. The people here are very nice.” I lie and swallow hard.

Although there are some very nice people around here, like Rhia and Kim, some still eye me suspiciously. There are others who ignore my presence entirely, and then there are Yasmeen and Kyle who belong in their own categories.

“Is Mr. Kyle treating you alright?”

I clear my throat as a tear streams down my face. I’m suddenly grateful we are doing a voice call, because if we were on video, Ma would be able to call my bluff.

“Yes. He treats me like a…princess,” I say, choosing to use the pet name he seems to have adopted for me.

“That’s lovely dear. We have some of his men patrolling the house here. I don’t think your uncle likes them very much, but