“Good, silence from you would be great,” she countered, continuing to speed down the street.
Five minutes later, she pulled up at the drive-thru window and rambled off Ernie’s order. Nothing for her, let alone asking Erys if he wanted anything, she got to the window, pulled out cash, paid and sped back off toward the house. Remedy snatched the bag, whisked into the house and handed it over.
“Thank you,” Ernie said, taking the bag and looking through it. “Where’s yours?”
“I’m fine, Ernie.” Truth was her appetite was gone, replaced by the nerves of reality. She checked the time and hummed. They were going to be pulling up at any second.
“Where we going?” Ernie asked, biting into his chicken sandwich.
“Pop,” Erys called, walking into the house.
Remedy rolled her eyes.
“What, boy?” Ernie asked with a full mouth.
“I got some people here,” Erys started.
No bedside manner, no empathy. Just cold, and Remedy couldn’t stand it.
“We are going to go stay somewhere for a couple of nights,” Remedy spoke up. “Somewhere new.”
“Why? I like being where I am,” Ernie replied, looking at Remedy.
She nodded, trying to hold her emotions together. “I know you do. But remember what I said about trying new things? We all have to try something different. Erys can get your house together for Cherie and while all that’s happening, you can relax.”
“You coming?” Ernie asked, to make sure the story wasn’t changing.
“Yes, I am.”
“No, you’re not,” Erys stated.
Remedy fired back. “Yes, I am.”
“Girl, move around,” Erys grumbled, forcing her to pop up on her feet and close the space between them. “Back up.”
“No. You want him to go, I’m telling you I’m going. Where he goes, I go. Where I go, he goes. You’re not going to get him in that van without me. You’re not going to get him not to act a fool without me. I don’t like your ass, you don’t like me. That’s fine, but this isn’t about either of us. It’s about him, so shut the fuck up and go along with it. For once in your life, give the man some fuckin’ respect,” Remedy spoke through gritted teeth.
Erys clenched his jaw, peering down at her and then looked at his father, who was eagerly awaiting the correct answer. Anything else would’ve set him off. “Fine. Fine. Yeah, Pops, she’s coming.”
“Figured you’d see it my way,” Remedy buzzed, turning to walk away, only for him to grab her by the arm. “Nigga-”
“Hear me, though. He stays. You don’t try to break him out and you don’t impede on his health,” he stated.
Remedy looked down at her arm in his hold and then at his face. “I think you might end up in the grave before he will.”
“You talk shit like someone is afraid of your little ass.”
Remedy scoffed, yanking away. “Keep playing with me, Franklin. Keep on.”
Erys let a smile ease over his face as she walked away. That was foreign and uncomfortable for him.
“Alright, Ernie. Let’s get ready to go,” Remedy spoke in a softer voice. “I brought you an outfit over so you can change. You got to look good for these ladies.”
“They got young hoes?” Ernie posed.
“Now, Ernie, you know there’s always some young hoes around.”
7
