I hadn’t even put her number in my phone to avoid temptation. It was safely tucked beneath my mattress. Maybe one of these days I would get up the nerve to use it. I hated to feel like I’d searched them out for nothing. Given the look Adrienne had given me, it was possible she was already feeling that way.
I stayed in the bathroom for a good five minutes, trying to pull it together. I could hear people coming in and out. When it was quiet, I opened the stall door and walked out the same time as the bathroom door opened. Adrienne walked in and stood in front of me with her arms crossed.
“How did you know I worked here?” she spat.
I shook my head. “I didn’t—”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not, Adrienne. My friend picked this place. I’ve never even been here. It’s just a coincidence.”
“You mean like you showing up to the house, right? You know Mama threw a fit when she got home? She saw you leaving. Me and Miyah had to deal with the backlash of that. She cursed us both out and threatened to beat the black off us if we ever spoke to you again. She told us to call the police if you came anywhere near us. If you want to stay out of jail, you need to leave us alone, Alayah.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. I love you. I need you both, Adrienne.”
“Is that worth doing time over?”
“I’ve done ten years,” I yelled. “Ten years to protect you and Amiyah so you wouldn’t have to go through the same thing I did. You were too young to understand what was going on back then, but you get it now. That man raped me, Adrienne. He came into my room damn near every week for three years. He raped me, hekeptraping me, and he threatened to have his friends do the same to you and Amiyah if I didn’t comply.”
Hey eyes widened as tears slipped from them. “Wh–What?”
Tears pooled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. I reached out and cupped her face.
“I couldn’t let anything happen to either of you. You were more than my little sisters. You were my babies. I loved you like you were my own. I would have done anything to protect you and Miyah. That’s the truth. I’m sorry I left you with Kennedy, but I just couldn’t take it anymore. I couldn’t. I just…I snapped.”
She broke into tears, and all I could do was pull her into my arms and hold her as I cried with her. If I could have picked her up the way I did when she was younger, I would have. Gently, I stroked her back in a soothing manner as I kissed her temple.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
For the longest time, we held each other. I think she needed that just as much as I did. Once she finally stopped crying, she pulled away. I grabbed a paper towel and dabbed her eyes.
“You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman,” I said, offering a warm smile.
“Thank you.” She reached out to touch my face. “At least prison didn’t make you ugly.”
I giggled. “At least there’s that.”
“You said that girl was your friend?”
“Yes. Her name is Londyn. She works at Uncle Clive’s shop.”
“Is she a friend or afriend?”
I laughed. “You think I went to prison and got turned out?”
She raised her hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying. You were with a bunch of women for a long time. Things happen. I wouldn’t judge or blame you for that. She’s pretty.”
“Not in this case. She’s just a friend. She was giving me an unsolicited driving lesson today.”
“How did it go?”
“I should probably keep my bus pass.”
We shared a light laugh. She grabbed my hands and squeezed them.
“I’m sorry for how I acted. I really am glad you’re home. I’m gonna get Miyah, and we’re gonna come see you.”
“I don’t want you getting in trouble, Adrienne.”
