“Erin…”
“I know, Eris. It’s only so long you can make up lies for her. I hear the rumors. Mom left us to be with a man.”
I felt the sting in my nose; the tears were coming.
In the back of my mind, I felt like a failure. For many years I tried keeping her mind off mom. Every time she asked about her, I made up something, thinking she was gullible. Guess she paid more attention than I thought.
“She loves you.”
“In her own way maybe, but not like you love me. You’ll never do what she did to us with Levi.”
I went home looking for our mom until I gave up. Erin doesn’t know the many nights I spent crying over her disappearance. It made me jaded.
Tears blurred my vision.
Erin got up, rounded the table and threw her arms around my neck.
“I love you, big sis.” She sighed. “Thank you for being here for me when she couldn’t. That’s why I don’t mind you being with Rayzor because you deserve this happiness.”
There was that lump in my throat I got whenever we had to speak on momma. It always left a sour taste in my mouth. Made me feel nervous.
“When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve had a great teacher.” She hugged me tightly and for the first time in a long time of wearing this cape, it didn’t feel heavy– it felt appreciated.
While leaving the mall, there was commotion going on. Crowds in the lot. A lot of yelling and cheering echoed the air.
I thought about the kids first and made a quick line towards the car.
“Damn, Rayzor the boxer is over there whooping some man’s ass. Pulled up and dragged the man out his car,” a woman explained.
My ears grew on fire.
“Excuse me, did you say Rayzor?” I asked her.
I searched the lot and saw his truck parked wildly.
“Girl, yes. He’s over there beating the hell out that man. The man is crying.”
“Rayzor,” Levi said, running away from me when I realized the crowd parted and Rayzor was stalking his way over to me. The crowd followed him.
That’s when I saw Phillip on the ground. I rushed over to Levi, covering his eyes, and pushing Erin behind me.
“What’s up, baby?” He smiled like he didn’t have bruised knuckles.
Not a hair out of place.
I tried looking past him, but his body blocked the way.
“What happened?”
“I called him and told him what he did to you and Levi,” Erin said.
My head snapped.
“Why, Erin?”
“Because he shouldn’t have bothered you. I saw he made you mad. Levi was scared. And since Rayzor told me to call him if something ever happens, I called him. I’m glad he beat him up because he’s a deadbeat.”
