“Alayah?”
“It’s me. Do you have a second?”
“Yeah, yeah, I do. What’s up?”
“Can we meet somewhere so we can talk?”
I looked at the clock. It was almost six.
“Yeah, we can do that. It’s almost dinnertime. You wanna grab something to eat?”
She hesitated for a moment. “Sure. I’ll meet you at Rusty’s.”
I smiled softly. Rusty’s was a diner I used to grab us lunch from during school hours from time to time. Since I had a free period before lunch, I’d go out for food and bring her something back. On occasion, I took her there with me.
“I could pick you up,” I offered.
“No. I’m already on the bus. I’ll just meet you there.”
“Oh. Well, okay. Just let me change out of my work clothes, and I’ll head out.”
“Okay.”
She didn’t say goodbye or anything else before hanging up. I stood from the couch and took my things back into the kitchen before going to my bedroom. I changed into a pair of sweats and a plain white tee then slipped my feet into my slides. After grabbing my wallet, phone, and keys, I left the house. The drive only took about fifteen minutes. When I stepped out of the car, I could see Alayah sitting in a back corner by herself with her head down.
I walked into the building and was greeted by Ms. Toni. She owned the diner and still worked, even at her age of sixty-five. She smiled as I approached the counter.
“Hey, Ms. Toni,” I said, returning her smile.
“Hey, baby. You’re here later than usual. I always see you at lunchtime when you come in.”
“I know. I’m meeting a friend.” I nodded in Alayah’s direction where she was seated in a half-circle booth in the back corner.
“Oooo.She’s a pretty thing. You’ll have to introduce me.”
“You know her, Ms. Toni. That’s Alayah.”
“Alayah…Alayah…” She paused for a moment, then her eyes widened. “You meanthatAlayah.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Bless her heart. I didn’t even recognize her. When did she come home?”
“It’s been a few weeks, really about a month now.”
“Good for her. I always hated that they locked that child up.” She shook her head. “I see that mama of hers from time to time. She needs her ass beat for letting that happen to her child.”
“Well, you know everybody isn’t fit to be a parent.”
“They sure aren’t. Come on. I’ll walk you over. I want to speak to her.”
She rounded the corner and led me to the back where Alayah sat, plucking at her nails.
“Hey, Layah,” I said, sliding in the booth beside her.
Even though I made sure to put some space between us, she inched away just a little and offered me a tight-lipped smile.
“Hey, Killian.”
