Simple times, simple measures

Tomie hadn't been quite as glued to her mother as Jay had but she'd yet to wander off, often lingering behind them when they moved or sticking with Jay on the rare cases when their mother had to leave them behind. Tomie had quickly learned how to mirror the disappointment her mother was modeling, probably unintentionally, and as time had worn on and her young life had continued to be in flux she'd also learned distrust. About the only wolves she figured she could ever really trust were her mother and Jay, not even her brothers got that benefit of the doubt, where had they been? When she'd been forced to be the strong one for their sister had they been there to help? No. So it was just the trio of them. Tomie in many ways partially parentified by everything, trusting in her mother's judgment if nothing else.

The girl, nearly a year old and already on pace to outstrip her mother's height lingered behind the black and white woman and her sister, watching and waiting for the pale woman her mother called for. She did not like her, and would probably never like her. But she trusted her mother and so would do whatever it took to keep the small family together. Forever if she had to, she had no concept of stability and so had no way of knowing what it would even look or feel like. As far as she was concerned that would be her role for the rest of her life because it would always be necessary. Voodoo would not have to worry about Tomie saying anything to Lurid, she wasn't in the habit of speaking much to anyone beyond her small bubble of safety. Friendly she was not.

"Tomie"