Zaria’s eyes closed. “Shit. Okay. We argue. Hell, we’ve had something similar to this. However, we chose not to expose that to you, and I take the blame for that. With or without our arguments, you can’t base your relationship on June and me. Tell me what happened.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to explain. Dio and I were already near a place we probably couldn’t come back from. If my explanation wasn’t going to bring him back to me, I didn’t want to talk about it. I wiped my eyes as I watched Zaria patiently waiting for me to answer.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I mumbled.
Zaria slowly nodded. “I understand. When you’re ready, I’m here.”
She got out of bed and headed toward the door.
“My mother came here.”
Zaria’s body stilled. “And?” she asked.
“And she wants me to go back with her once the semester is over.”
Zaria scoffed. “Samara, I can’t tell you what to do because after last night, it’s obvious you think you're being treated like a child. However, I say this with all the love in the world. You’re grown. You need to figure it out,” she finished before she disappeared into the hall.
I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I hopped out of bed to follow her. “Zaria,” I called out.
She turned to face me.
“You don’t care that she showed up?”
“No, quite frankly, I can give a rat's ass, and to be honest, the daughter I know should feel the same way. I’m not into choosing sides, but I do have to agree with Dio on this one. Someone hasgotten into your head. Maybe it’s her, but your little ass better wake up, quick, fast, and in a hurry because I’m far from the bullshit.”
More tears emerged as I felt like I was being singled out. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I loved Zaria, and I didn’t want her to feel that way, but I also felt like anything I said was wrong, as if my having some form of opinion was me saying what I thought was true.
The front door opened, and I thought it was Dio. Instead, it was Chevy, and my heart sank back into my chest.
“Did they find him?” Zaria asked Chevy.
He glanced at me, then back at Zaria. “They’re still looking.”
“Give me the keys. I need to go find him.”
“Z, you not going city hopping to find that little nigga.”
“June, give me the goddamn keys. I need to go for a drive before yourdaughter,” she said as she turned to look at me, “make me turn into a mother she may never forgive.”
“What the fuck happened?” he asked.
He handed the keys to her, and she walked out, slamming the door. Chevy looked at me, then at the couch. I didn’t even have time to sit down before he started talking.
“Samara, grab your tissues because what I’m about to say to you is tough love, and you’re going to need them.”
“Chevy, I really don’t—”
He stood in front of me as soon as I sat down. “No, you don’t get to say shit!” he barked.
My head flew back because I had never seen this side of him. “Chevy—”
He shook his head. “Samara, I know this is going to seem new to you because you’re used to a gentler side of me, but it’s clear that Zaria and me shielding you from what we thought would harm you has done just that: harmed you. We tried showing you what a perfect relationship looks like, and it’s obvious you see no flaws and useit in your relationship. It’s my fault, but this mouth, you’re going to hear it.”
I shot up from the couch. “I don’t have to listen to this!” I snapped.
“Sit yo ass downnow!That’s part of the fucking problem, sweetheart. You think you know shit about what’s going on around you, and you know nothing. Somehow, the lines got blurred when I tried to explain to you who Dio is and who I am. So, let me tell you. I’m a nigga who isn’t wrapped too tight. I will slit a nigga’s throat in your face if it means a lesson will be learned. I am the very same nigga who would bend over backward for that woman you pissed off. I can be the Devil if you make me. I fear no-muhfuckin’-body, even when I should. I’m a father, a husband, and a fucking killer, Samara. This is who I am, and Dio isn’t too far behind.”
My lips trembled, and tears fell. I didn’t know whether to be scared or emotional.
