“What?”
“His room is tiny.This isn’t a good neighborhood.And youhaven’t moved.”
I didn’t know what to say.My mind was darting from onething to the other, including but definitely not limited to the facts he washere again, he’d broken in again, but he’d also obviously had a look around,something that was totally invasive, or, more invasive than him just breakingin, and he was saying words I didn’t understand.
“You got the money…move,” he pressed.
“You’re giving me that money?”
“I’m not giving you that money,” he lied, since he knewabout it, and exactly three people knew about it: me, Toni and the persongiving it to me.
Why would he lie?
“Darius—”
“There’s a complex close to Colorado Boulevard.Cleaner.Bigger cribs.Green space.A playground.A pool.A security gate.There’s awaiting list.I know a guy.You’re bumped to the top and they got a two-bedroomtownhouse open.He’ll call you with the details.”
“Darius—” I tried again.
“Know another guy, he’s got a moving company.He’ll see tothat shit.”
“I still have six months on this lease.”
“I’ll make a call.”
He’d make a call and now he was making a move…to leave.
He went to pass by me, but I caught his biceps and snapped,“Darius!”
He stopped, looked down at my hand, then to my face, and hispreference that I take my hand from him was perfectly clear without a wordescaping his lips.
I didn’t take my hand from him.
“We have things to talk about,” I told him.
“Yeah, yougettin’ out of this pitand putting my son in a decent pad.We talked about that.I’m gone.”
I held on tighter.“I have other things to say.”
“See I gotta make myself clear I don’t wanna hear them, sothis is memakin’ it clear.I don’t wanna hear them.”
I pulled at his arm at the same time I moved in front of himto block his path.“Well, I want to say them.”
“Malia, no.”
“I can’t afford a bigger place.”
“Not gonna be your problem, since the rent’s gonna be paidby me.”
My eyes got big.
Then I got mad.
“So, what?Is this guilt?”I asked.“Because I don’t needyour guilt, Darius Tucker.”
“It’s not guilt.”
“Then what is it?”
