Page 16 of Tequila Tuesdays

I understood what she was telling me, and I felt a little sick. Our number was called, and I got up and picked up our food and set it on the table in front of us. We both just looked at it for a minute.

“What’s your little sister’s name?” I asked softly.

“Roberta.” She wrinkled her nose a little.

I took a drink of coffee. “That’s… nice.”

Poor kid. It would take a while for a baby to grow into that name.

“It’s a stupid name for a baby. It’s my step-grandmother’s name. She lives in Detroit and hasn’t even seen Bertie.”

Shanda finally pulled her cinnamon toast bagel toward her and started eating. She took a huge bite and kept talking with her mouth full.

“I’ve never met her either,” she mumbled around her food.

“Bertie’s a great name.” I unwrapped my bagel and started eating.

“I know. I’m the one who came up with it.” She smiled for the first time, and even with her mouth full, her orange hair, and her inflamed nose piercing, she was beautiful.

We didn’t say anything for a few minutes while we ate.

“Did he threaten you and Bertie?” I asked when we’d both finished.

She pushed a glob of leftover cream cheese around on her wrapper but didn’t answer.

I continued. “It doesn’t matter what your story is at this point. The video speaks for itself.”

She kept her gaze on the glob of cream cheese. “Bertie’s only two.”

“Does your stepdad know Jason threatened Bertie?”

She finally wadded up the wrapper and looked at me. “I don’t know, but I can’t chance it. She’s the only innocent person in this whole fucking mess.”

“What exactly did Jason say to you about Bertie?” I asked carefully.

She glanced at me then glanced away. “We have that confidential thing, right? You told me you can’t tell anyone what I say.”

“That’s true unless you give me the okay. Icandiscuss the case within reason with the prosecutor to try and get a plea deal or resolution.”

“Okay. I need to think about it. And I need to tell my mom and stepdad and see if maybe they can get Jason off my back.”

“All right. We have an appointment already set.” I didn’t think pushing her at this point would help.

Shanda looked at me for a moment with a solemn face. She looked about ten years older right then. “Jason’s crazy, like not right in the head crazy. And he’s fucking scary.”

I nodded. “I understand. Please keep in touch with me. How are you getting around?”

She shrugged. “I manage.”

“The public defender office has some bus passes if you need one. I can get you one if you want.”

She shrugged again. “I’ve been scrounging up rides when I need to.”

I could tell she was ready to go. “Okay. Let me know if you change your mind about the bus pass.”

“Okay. I’m gonna take off.”

I nodded and pointed to the pharmacy bag on the table. She grabbed it and quickly walked out.

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