Page 136 of Smoke

“Smoke?” she answered groggily. “It’s two in the fucking morning.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, sis, but I need you.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Romi’s shop was set on fire tonight.”

“What!”

“Yeah. I need you to access her security footage for me. What time was this, Tee?”

“My boy said about one.”

“You heard that?”

“Yeah.” I could hear her shuffling around. “Give me like thirty minutes, and I’m gonna call you back.”

“Okay.” I hung up and turned back to Tee.

“You think that nigga had something to do with this?” he asked.

“I’m positive. I’m done playing with his ass. It’s time to wrap this shit up.”

I didn’t know what bitch Derrick had doing his dirty work, but him, her, and whoever else were gonna see me. On my mama, we were getting this back in blood.

I stood in the shower,allowing the water to mask my tears.

It had been a week since losing my shop, and my heart was in shambles. I couldn’t seem to catch a break. Every time I saw a little bit of light, it was snatched from me. My happiness had been up and down for months now. When was the cycle finally going to be over? Every weapon formed against me was prospering in some way.

Devin and I had stayed at the scene of the fire until they could put it out. My heart ached driving away from the smoky rubble. I’d put so much into my business to make it what it was, and in the blink of an eye, it was gone. Yesterday, forensics concluded that the fire was started in the basement. From the pictures, I could see the trail of accelerant leading into every part of the beauty bar. It was clear whoever set the fire intended for it to destroy everything.

When we got back to my house, I had a good long cry in my sister’s arms. She held me and rocked me until I had nothing left in me to cry out. I’d barely slept since then, and I felt terrible because I wasn’t my best self for my girls. Devin had brought us to his house because he wanted me to feel safe. Nobody was crazy enough to come into the compound unless they had a death wish.

He’d been amazing with the girls. Renay was also on the compound with Jakobi, stating she wanted to be closer to help out while we were here. Between the two of them, they were taking great care of us. Devin got Korri up, fed, and took her to school. As they left the house, Renay came over to help with Juri.

When Devin couldn’t be there, she made sure I ate.

I’d fought depression for so long, and now it felt like the feeling was slowly rearing its ugly head. I knew if I let it consume me, it would be months before I could pull myself out of it. I didn’t have months to waste because I had two children that needed me.

Stepping out of the shower, I grabbed the towel to dry off. Wrapping it around myself, I made my way into Devin’s bedroom. He’d given me and the girls the room while he slept on the futon in one of the guest rooms. While I wanted to be next to him, I appreciated him giving me the extra time with my babies. Still, I could hear him come check on us throughout the night. Anytime Juri cried, he was right there to comfort her.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs to force myself to eat something. I didn’t have an appetite, but I knew I needed to eat. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I thought I would see Renay and Juri, but instead, I saw Granny Rebecca. She looked at me with a smile and opened her arms to me.

I didn’t hesitate to go to her. She wrapped me up in a loving embrace, and it was like the floodgates opened again. I just couldn’t stop fucking crying.

“I’ve got you, baby,” she said, rocking me.

“I’m so tired,” I confessed.

“I know. Devin has told me all about what’s been going on the last couple of months. I hate to hear the way you’ve been treated. You seem like such a lovely young woman.”

“I’ve always tried to be a good person, and it feels like I’ve been shitted on over and over for months now. I don’t know how much more I can take. Something has to give.”

“It will, I promise. My son and grandkids are working hard to get justice for you. Sometimes, you have to take the law into your own hands in this family. That’s all I’m gonna say about that. Come on. Let me get you something to eat. Smoke told me you haven’t been eating much.”

That was when I noticed the aroma of something so delicious my stomach growled. She led me into the kitchen and told me to sit at the table while she fixed me a plate. When she placed a helping of grits, eggs, onion sausage, liver pudding, fatback, and pancakes in front of me, my mouth watered. I hadn’t had a good ol’ country breakfast in so long.

Grabbing my hands, she said a quick prayer and motioned for me to dig in.

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