if that's the case

Her name was Charity. And she looked like a charity case to Kyle. Unnourished. Her matted hair smelled of smoke and weed. She stared at them, with her mouth half open with a dirty ring around it as if she'd never been anywhere in her life.

"He had no idea about her?" Kyle shook his head. They were up in Amanda's room now.

"I dunno." Amanda shook her head, too. "You'd think he'd know, you know." She shrugged. "I guess he's gonna take her, for a while, anyway."

"Won't she be upset?" Kyle crossed his arms.

"Does she look upset?" Amanda remained indifferent. "I'm not taking care of my brother's kid."

"You know you will, it always comes down to you. Every-time." Kyle told her. "Who keeps this place together? You do. Dan's the one who's suppose to take care of you. He does nothing."

"He got a new job." Amanda reminded him. It was full time and he was trying to take a couple of online classes. He worked at a nursing home. He was going to be a dietician, some day.

"I know you're gonna get stuck with her."

"Dylan will have to do it." Amanda nodded.

"Promise?" He put his arm around Amanda. He wished he could persuade her to come home with him, but he knew she wouldn't.

"Promise." She nodded.

"OK, I want you to lay down for awhile. Get some rest. I'm gonna be here for a bit. May sure you get in a nap."

"All right, I will." She started taking off her stockings then and her Sunday best dress and crawled into bed.