Kayla smirked. “Since you started acting like my momma.”
That stung Diamond because she had always looked out for her sister, and it was never a problem before.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Diamond questioned as worry covered Mia’s face.
“Look, I’m tired of being your shadow, I’m gon’ hang with my friends and do what I want,” Kayla spat before walking out of the room.
Diamond’s chest tightened; she could feel herself on the verge of putting hands on her sister. She was lost for words, her baby, her sister, the girl who slept in the bed with her when she feared the storms was really slick talking.
“I told you she changed,” Mia finally spoke as Diamond stood there stuck and confused.
For the first time, the danger didn’t feel like it was coming from the streets but from inside their house.
“This shit is crazy.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, wait until you see her when she’s with those girls. She cussed me out so bad trying to show out for them. Everything seems like it’s falling apart, Mommy in the streets, Kayla losing it, Daddy seems like he doesn’t care anymore, and why haven’t he been at work?”
Mia was spitting nothing but facts, Rich got a little taste of his past life and jumped back in headfirst. The money was flowing as he promised and Diamond barely had to do anything, all she did was occasionally go to the storage with him to count money and inventory.
“He cares, he’s just trying to keep us above water.”
“What about Momma? I’m scared she gon’ die.”
Mia’s words hit Diamond like a two-ton brick, the thought of losing her mother hurt. Outside of that addiction, Sherry was the best mother a girl could have, and Diamond loved her, no matter what.
“Don’t say that, Momma is going to be ok. Everything is going to be ok.”
“I hope you’re right. I’m going on the porch,” Mia said in the saddest tone.
Diamond fell back on her bed and closed her eyes so that the tears welling up wouldn’t fall. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders, she had to be the strong one, she had to save her family, it was how she was raised. Her father always told herthat she was her sisters’ keeper, and she wore that protector cap proudly.
She needed an outlet and the only person that came to her mind was Duke. She pulled her phone out and shot him a text in hopes of him being available.
Diamond: Hey.
Duke: What up, beautiful?
She couldn’t even force a smile.
Diamond: You busy tonight?
Duke: Nah, what’s up? You cool?
She wasn’t used to people asking her if she was ok because she was always the strong one who hid her feelings. Like always, she lied.
Diamond: Yeah, I’m good. I just don’t want to be in the house, can I chill with you for a little while?
Duke: I’m on your block talking to the guys. Come on.
That was like music to her ears.
Diamond: Ok, give me a minute to get dressed.
She hopped in and out the shower, threw on a pair of black leggings and a wifebeater, grabbed her keys, and was out the door. Mia was right on the porch like she said she would be while Kayla was nowhere in sight.
“You good? I’m going out for a while.”
“I’m good, just watching to see if I see Momma anywhere.”
