“I’m fine,” she rasped, pushing my hand off of her. she stood slowly, holding onto the dumpster and wall for support. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you,” I answered, frowning as I looked her over. I hadn’t seen her in months, and I didn’t like what Isaw. She was smaller than usual, weaker, and appeared to be in pain. “You don’t look good.”
“Did Clyde get my note to you?”
“Clyde?” I frowned. “Who is that?”
“My man,” she snapped. “Did he bring it to you?”
“There was a note on my door, yes, but you had someone else come to my house, Gwen? I’ve asked you several timesnotto tell people where I lived.”
Shit like that was why I didn’t even wantherto know where I lived, but I clearly had a soft spot for her. She was my only living family, and big sister, so I wanted her to know if and when she was ready to leave the streets, she’d always have somewhere to go.
“I was in the hospital, Diamond, and I needed some money when I came home.”
“The hospital?” I repeated with my brows furrowed. “Why were you in the hospital?”
“Do you have some money on you?” she ignored me and asked, picking with her hair.
“Gwen,” I sighed.
“I need to eat and get… things for myself.”
“I have some food in the car,” I pointed behind me. I was hungry and really wanted my food at first, but now that I’d seen her and heard that she was in the hospital, I’d lost my appetite. “And I can take you to the store to get what you need.”
She scoffed and tried to move around me, but I quickly stepped in front of her.
“Gwen, please just come home with me.” I pleaded. “Let me get you cleaned up and maybe have you see a doctor.”
“Didn’t I just say that I just got out of the hospital?” she snapped. “I saw a doctor. I don’t need to go back. I need my medicine and I’ll be fine.”
I knew themedicineshe was referring to wasn’t a prescription. She wanted money for drugs, that was evident and the usual. I was just tired of allowing her to spend my money on her habit and contributing to her decline.
“I don’t have any money, Gwen.” I let her know somberly.
“Then why’d you come here?” she roared then started to cry. “I need help, Diamond.”
“I know, Gwen, and I’m trying to help you.” I admitted through my own tears.
When I reached for her, she knocked my hands away.
“No. I don’t want the help you’re trying to give me. I just—you have loose change in your car?”
I looked at her in disbelief although I shouldn’t have. I was used to this shit with her. Not a step was missed. She’d be happy to see me, ask for money, get mad when I told her I couldn’t give it to her, then try to cry to get me to cave.
“No, Gwendolyn, I don’t.” I shook my head. “I’m going to go.”
I was defeated as I began to walk back toward my car. I didn’t know what to do about my sister or how to help her, and I was afraid that if I didn’t figure it out quickly, something would happen to her.
“Give me the food then,” she called out from behind me. I didn’t even bother to turn around and look at her. “You said you had something to eat in the car.”
Picking up my strides again, I used the key fob to unlock my door then got the bag from the seat before turning to hand it to her. She tore it open quickly, grabbing one of the wings and biting into it. It broke my heart to watch her eat as if it were her last meal.
“Will you be here tomorrow?” I asked and she shrugged. “I’ll come check so I can bring you something else to eat.”
She nodded, tossing the bone then grabbing another wing. “Try to have some money too.”
I didn’t bother to reply, I just shut the door then rounded the back of my car, sliding in the driver’s seat once I made it. I gave my sister one final look before putting my car in gear and pulling away. I wished that I could just move on and let her live her life, but unfortunately, I couldn’t, so I was going home with tears in my eyes and no appetite because of the wayshedecided to liveherlife.
