After picking up the rose and the large envelope, I peek outside. When I see no one there, I shut the door and rip open the package.
“Whoa,” I exclaim, seeing the latest model of a brand-new iPhone. I hide it inside my purse and toss the rose in the vase with the others. I take my bag and jacket and leave my apartment.
Even though I haven’t seen him in four days, I’ve been skittish each time I leave the house. Hell, I’m skittish when I’m in the house, too. Each sound makes me jump, and last night I thoughtI heard the familiar roar of a motorcycle, but when I peeked through the blinds, all I saw was my deserted street.
I tiptoe down the stairs and run across the driveway to let myself into my parents’ house.
“Mom!” I yell. I find her seconds later, watching the news in the living room. “Can you drop me off at work?”
I grab the loaf of sliced bread and open the fridge.
“Honey, I have an appointment, and it’s in the other direction. Get a ride share.” She rushes into the kitchen, fully dressed and made up. Mom’s the principal at the elementary school, and they are on spring break this week. I’m shocked to see her dressed.
“What appointment?”
She points at her head, which she has pulled back into a bun.
“I’m getting my hair braided,” she says.
I fill my travel mug with coffee and dig through the fridge for deli meat.
“No ham or turkey?” I ask.
“No more. Your dad’s on a low-sodium diet, so I cut out all that crap.”
“Can you buy some for me?”
“Buy it yourself. If I put it in the fridge, your father will eat it. The man has no self-control. When are you getting a new car? You didn’t need it in Boston, but you need one here.”
I sigh. She’s right, but that likely won’t happen for a while.
“Soon. Cori is going to help me look,” I lie.
“Your dad can help, too. Or Levar.”
I roll my eyes. My sister’s husband is the last man on earth I’d ask for help. I’d rather crawl to work each day on my hands and knees over broken glass before going to them for anything.
“Yeah,” I say. “If we leave now, can you take me? Please?” I do what I used to do when I was a kid and poke out my bottom lip. Then I wrap my arms around her and hug her. “Please,” I say,elongating the word. “Please, Mommy, please.” I kiss her cheek. “You’re the bestest mommy ever.”
My mom sighs, and I know I’ve got her. “Fine,” she says, resigned. “Let’s go now. Tamika hates it when I’m late.”
I hit save and lock my workstation. While I love being a physical therapist, this outpatient clinic is not my favorite place to work, but it was the first offer I got when I moved back. Besides, the pay is good, and I don’t have to work weekends or holidays, unlike if I worked in a hospital.
My stomach growls, so I eat the first of my peanut butter sandwiches as I cross the street to the park.
I see Cori’s curly head immediately. She waves, and I run and hug her. I push her down onto the bench.
“What is it that you didn’t want to discuss on the phone?” she whispers. I pull out my second peanut butter sandwich, and Cori snatches half of it. “You know I love peanut butter.”
I look around the park as if expecting someone to jump out of the bushes. When I see the coast is clear, I open my purse, pull out the plain yellow envelope my so-called gift came in, and hand it to Cori. She reaches for it, but I pull it back.
“No one else is to know, and that includes Selene.” I raise my eyebrows to show that I’m serious.
“Fine, but she grew out of that snitch phase years ago. You know she was conditioned by her father.”
“I don’t care,” I say. “I’ll never forgive her for telling on us about getting drunk that weekend, and that bitch was drunker than both of us.”
“Yeah, but she felt guilty.”
