K-Brad
Getting ready for the hearing. Glad I switched to water last night and downed a bunch of chicken wings… But tbh, I wish I had a shot right now.
Melody
You’ll do great! Your feelings about Cricket are so clear, just be yourself.
K-Brad
I’m fucking nervous as shit.
Melody
Don’t say any of that to the lawyer
K-Brad
Don’t worry. Getting it all out now.
Melody
You got this, K-Brad. Take the checkdown.
K-Brad
I have passed the ball to Aunt Liv.
Melody
Good work. Sending good vibes.
“We’re here.” Spencer’s voice is low, and I look up to see we’re stopped in front of a small, wood-sided house.
It’s narrow and painted a bright green with brick-red accents. “It’s a skinny house.”
“Looks like a rental.” Spencer glances over his shoulder. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.” Stacia trades her ultra-dark shades for a pair of cat-eye glasses. “Let’s get that baby!”
“Should I stay in the car?” I look nervously across the car to my uncle. “What if she sees me and gets spooked.”
Spencer hesitates, thinking. “Perhaps stand on my other side. I don’t want her to feel surprised at all.”
My hands tremble, and my lungs don’t want to work properly. I try to control my breathing as we approach the small house, climbing the short flight of wooden steps to the front door.
“Calm, professional, friendly,” Spencer says under his breath as he knocks firmly on the door.
Stacia and I nod, and she presses her lips into a smile. I can see immediately why she makes a good cheerleader. I think I’d believe whatever she said with that face.
“Who is it?” Jada’s voice is sharp on the other side of the door.
“Miss Allen? It’s Spencer Carrollton. I’m here with a friend of your late cousin. May we speak with you?”
Everything falls quiet for a beat, then I hear the sound of a baby crying, and my throat clogs. My wide eyes fly toSpencer’s, and he holds up a hand for me to stay calm. I rub my fingers over my throat, trying to ease the pain there.
Finally, the door opens slowly, and when I see Jada, I’m struck by how much she reminds me of Knox that very first night I showed up at his apartment. The night I went over to demand he talk to me, only to find him covered in baby poop and melting down.
“What do you want?” Her hair sticks out on one side like something dried in it, and her clothes are disheveled. She looks like she hasn’t slept in a few nights.
