I had to laugh. “Girl, I’m not sure I want to know what goes on in your bedroom. You might scare me.”
She gasped. “How dare you!”
“I’m just saying. Your level of freak nasty would put me to shame.”
She flipped her head. “Well, you know, I’ve been at this a long time, baby. I’ve got skills for days. I’ll put this thang in a man’s lap and have him falling in love.” She stuck out her tongue and twerked in her seat.
I shook my head. “You are wild.”
“You love me though. You won’t say it, but I know you do.”
“I do love you, girl. You’re solid, and I appreciate that.”
She smiled as she slid her chair over and hugged me. “I love you, too, boo. We have a driving lesson after work tomorrow. You’ve been doing so good. I think you’ll be ready in another month or two. Then we have to get you your first big-girl ride. My brother works at a dealership, so I’m sure I can get you the hookup. Just ignore him, though. He likes to get under my skin by flirting with my friends. Pain in my ass. Being the big sister is so ghetto sometimes.”
I giggled. “I’m finding that out. Adrienne has quite the mouth on her. She curses, and I know it’s largely in part to the way Kennedy spoke to them. Every time I talk to her, I have to get on her about her language.”
“You’re such a mom.”
“I mean, I was their second mother for the first part of their lives, and my job isn’t done now. Even if I never get custody, I want to be in a position to take care of them if they ever need anything from me, you know?”
“I get it. I’m the oldest of eight kids, so big sis gets called for everything. Like, baby, call your mama. That lady gave birth to you, not me. Guess who ends up doing it anyway?”
I laughed. “I’m sure they love you for it.”
“They better. They know how I’m coming about them. I will smile in my mugshot.Ooop!Sorry, girl.”
I waved her off. “You’re fine.”
“Speaking of mugshot. I looked yours up. I see why you were Prison Bae.”
I rolled my eyes and stood to throw away my trash. “Bye, Londyn.”
Her laughter echoed behind me. “You know you’re fine, girl. Walk away slow so I can see all that booty meat.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her. If she did nothing else, she boosted my confidence.
I headed back to my office. There were only a few minutes left on my break, and I wanted to call and check on my sisters. With all the bruises and emotional scars they still had, the school had allowed them to work from home so they didn’t fall behind. My aunt was on top of their studies, making sure they got everything turned in on time. Sliding behind my desk, I grabbed my phone and called Adrienne and Miyah on a video call. Thankfully my aunt had gotten them both new phones on the family plan.
“Hey, sissy,” Amiyah answered with a smile.
“Hey, Lay,” Adrienne said.
“Hey. I just wanted to check on you guys. Do you need anything?”
As I stared at their beautiful faces, it saddened me to see them with bruises. I could tell they were healing and could probably be covered with makeup at this point, but still. It was like looking into the faces of my children, and it hurt my heart.
“We’re okay,” Adrienne answered. “We grabbed what we could when we left. Eventually, we’ll go back to the house to get the rest of our things.”
“I don’t wanna go back there,” Miyah voiced.
I sighed. “I know, baby. This will all be over soon.”
“I need my car,” Adrienne said. “I pay the car note and insurance on that. It’s mine, and she had no right to take my battery out.”
“I’ll ask Killian to pick up a battery on his way home, and we’ll go get your car on Saturday. Do you have the keys?”
“Yes. But hold on. Let’s not skip on the part about Killian. Is that your boyfriend now?”
