"Hi lady." I slid roughly into the cold booth staring at the small, frail woman sitting before me clutching her purse.

"Don't call me lady. I'm your mother."

"Yeah, whatever lady." My beautiful mother dropped her head. "Oh, come on now mama. I meant nothing by it. You know I love you." She didn't answer; she just covered her ugly sobs with her gloved hand.

"And I love you, Livinia." Then it struck me like hot coal being dumped on my head.

"Daddy beat you didn't he? That dirty, rotten, filthy, stinkin' son of a bitch!" My mother's head snapped up in anger.

"Don't you dare call your father that Livinia Persephone Kingsley! You shut your mouth!" I stormed out of the visitor's room and into the hallway, pacing angrily.

"Are you alright?" I spun around to see Caulfield leaning against the wall. I was so angry I started to cry. He cautiously came towards me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders slowly. I clutched a handful of his white shirt, burying my face in his chest. What are you doing stupid?

"I'm sorry Holden." I pulled away from him, embarrassment reddening my pale cheek. I rubbed away my tears.

"Hey, smile for me, won't you?" That killed me! He was one in a million, this Caulfield character. I barely knew the guy and he was already bossing me around. Despite his aggravating advances I managed to grant him a small smile before walking back into the visitor's room.

"Oi, where's my ma Rogers?" I asked the security guard who stood on duty.

"She left after you took off."

"Damn!" I slammed my fist against the stone wall, feeling bones cracking gently. "Fuck!"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"I would, Rogers, if she was still fucking here!" I took deep breaths. "Tell Perkins that I'll be trashin' my room, would ya?"

"I'll tell 'im."

"You're a dime, Rogers." I walked back into the hall, hoping Caulfield would still be there. He wasn't.

My room was totally ransacked by the time Perkins came around, looking bored as usual.

"Oh, what've you done now?"

"I hate her! I hate him! I hate them all!" I threw the cot over, frantically tossing it about. Perkins lost no time securing my arms to the side.

"What your old man do this time?"

"He hit her! That sonovabitch hit my mother."

"There's nothing you can do now, yeah?" His voice was a bit damp. He always got upset when my father hit my mother. I struggled with his strong grip. "Caulfield's out there waiting for you. So, get yourself together." I nodded. Perkins let me free slowly, ready for any sudden jolts. "Get that hand patch up by the doc." As he left Holden came in, a red hat in his hands.

"What do you want?" I asked curtly.

"I came to give you this. It's gonna be cold soon, so…" I snatched the hunting hat from his hands, observing the authenticity.

"It's only July, Caulfield."

"Here," He slid the hat on my head, ignoring my comment, and wheeled me in front of the mirror, which hadn't broken this time around.

"Caulfield," I began. "I look like an idiot."

"So, you like it then?" I pulled the hat off and glared at him. He stood as innocent as can be, a smile creeping up on his lips.

"Get outta here, Caulfield."

"Wait, Livinia," I immediately noted that he was too close for my liking. "Liv…"

"Well, what is it?" He kissed the back of my hand before sprinting out of the room. "You're a dead man, Caulfield!" I threw his hunting hat into the halls and collapsed right there on the floor, face-palming the dirty tiles. The hat looked so bright against the white-washed walls. It wasn't all that bad, it kept my ears warm. I groaned, forcing myself to get up on my lazy ass and retrieve the red hat. I put it on again, smelling Caulfield. That made me smile.

I skulked back into the recreation room, noisily throwing back the chair. Holden looked up, clearly pleased, smiling at my outlandish get up.

"Quit smiling and deal the damn cards, would ya?"

"What do you want to play?" He asked, bridging the deck of cards.

"Shithead."

"Did you just call me a shithead?"

"It's the game, Caulfield."

"The game's to call the other person a shithead?" I saw past his guise. I tried to control my wonderful irritation.

"You are a shithead, Holden." I dealt the cards out myself, staring at his dancing eyes once I was done.

"You look sweet in that hat…kinda innocent."

"Yeah? And you still look like a shithead. So, I'd call us both even. Now play your damn cards, yeah?"


Please review...Holden doesn't like phonies who don't review :)