“But with your last child, you said you couldn’t have handled it without church assistance, am I right?”
Starla was impatient, her answer clipped. “Look. I didn’t say she was going toraiseit. Nova’s just a kid. No way she could’ve kept it. But she could’ve had it. Delivered the baby. Nova would’ve been fine with that.”
Meyers glanced over Starla’s shoulder. Nova was standing at the front of the hallway, one foot in the living room. He lowered his voice.
“Some experts might say that carrying a pregnancy to term at Nova’s age would have negatively impacted her health.”
“Bullshit.” Starla tugged up on the neckline of her shirt. “I know what you’re trying to do. The cops explained it to me. The only way they’ll let Dr. Gaines off is if Nova’s life was at stake. But Nova was never in danger. You saw her! She’s a real sturdy girl.”
Meyers looked over to see if Nova was still there. She was. She was listening.
“Nova’s strong as an ox. And plenty big enough. She’s been wearing my clothes since sixth grade. She’s popping out the seams now. And her feet are too big for my shoes.”
Meyers glanced up again. Nova was standing with her head down, like she was trying to pretend she wasn’t even there.
CHAPTER
40
Nova Jones
MAGNOLIA APARTMENTS UNION SPRINGS, ALABAMA
Nova stared at the rug. She was embarrassed. For herself. And for her mama.
She’d seen her leaning into the lawyer, trying to flirt with him. She hated when her mama acted that way. Being a Pick Me girl. Showing off her chest.
If Nova tried any of that, Mama would open up a can of whoop-ass on her.
Her mama turned around and pointed toward the kids in the corner. “Nova! Settle these rascals down. Get ’em something to eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Nova walked into the kitchen and opened a full loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. There was grape jelly in the fridge; shegot that, too. Ever since the DA brought the case about the abortion, they had all the food they needed. Church pantry showed up every week with plenty of groceries for all six of them. Treats, too. Like the Little Debbies and Hostess cupcakes.
Nova made three sandwiches, cut them into neat triangles and put them on a plate. She walked into the living room and waved the plate like a lure. “Ya’ll want PB&Js?”
Arbonne ran over. Reba followed, dragging baby Caden along with her. They all piled into the tiny kitchen and grabbed for the sandwiches. Nova walked down the hall to release Tre from captivity.
“You behave,” she whispered, walking him out, “or she’ll make me lock you up again!” Tre nodded and ran into the kitchen to join his siblings.
Nova stood by the refrigerator watching them all eat. She wasn’t hungry. Had a bad feeling in her stomach.
Then she saw the lawyer standing in the doorway.
“Nova? Can I ask you some questions?”
She looked past him to her mama, still sitting at the living room table. Her mama gave her a quick, impatient nod.
“Where?” asked Nova. “Here?”
“Come sit in the living room.”
Nova followed him over to the table where her mama was sitting. She picked a chair across from the lawyer, as far away as possible. She felt awkward. She didn’t know how to deal. Didn’t have Mama’s game. Didn’t know how to play a grown man.
The lawyer put his iPhone in the middle of the table. “I’m going to record our conversation, Nova. That way, down the line, nobody can claim that either of us said something different. Is that okay with you?”
Nova thought about that. It made her nervous, being recorded. But the lawyer was right. It was better than somebody lying about it later.
