Page 108 of The Deadly Candies

Ely hesitated, eyes fixed on hers, silent.

“How, Ely?” she demanded.

“He wants us to get married. He wants me to propose. He figures after a year or so, if we have a baby, he can bring us all back to Harlem,” Ely admitted, his voice cautious but honest.

“No!” Kathy shot to her feet. “What? Has he lost his mind? Did you tell him he was crazy?”

Ely sighed deeply. “Kathy?—”

“I love Melo! You know that!” Kathy’s voice rose in panic.

“And do you love your family, Kathy?” Ely’s voice hardened, urgency sharpening his tone. “Did you hear what I said? If you go anywhere near that boy, your family will be destroyed. Your father will die trying to protect you. Is Carmelo worth all that?”

Kathy shook her head, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.

Ely’s expression softened immediately. He stepped forward, wrapping her gently in his arms, resting his chin lightly atop her head. “I’m your friend, Kat. I’m telling you this so you understand exactly how dangerous this is. You don’t have to marry me. But you need to know the sacrifices you’re making for Carmelo aren’t the only ones. Your mama and daddy—they're finally happy again. They have you, they have Big Mama here. But when you’re gone, things between them get real bad.”

“I know,” Kathy whispered, pressing her face against Ely’s shoulder.

He held her tighter for a moment, letting silence settle between them. When he finally spoke again, his voice was gentle and reassuring. “We have a week. Let’s make the best of it, alright? Help your parents believe you’re strong, that you’re okay. Can you do that?”

Kathy sniffed softly, drying her tears against the back of her hand. She looked up at him, grateful for his strength. “Thank you, Ely.”

He smiled, a bittersweet sadness in his eyes. “I love you, Kathy,” he said softly.

* * *

“Hey, what's wrong with you?”Debbie chirped. She had just put her dress back on after the fitting, and Big Mama insisted on making the final adjustments herself, claiming she knew best when it came to Debbie. Now, the girls were left alone while Ely had gone off to gas up her father’s car.

“Nothin’,” Kathy mumbled, looking away.

Just then, the phone in the shop rang. One of the workers rushed over, motioning to Debbie. “Phone’s for you, Debbie.”

Debbie hurried away excitedly, leaving Kathy to watch as her cousin eagerly spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line. That familiar, unwelcome pang of jealousy rose within Kathy again. She shut her eyes tight, silently praying it would pass.

“Kathy! C’mere,” Debbie suddenly called, waving her over.

Opening her eyes with a heavy sigh, Kathy slowly approached Debbie and took the receiver from her outstretched hand.

“Hello?” Kathy said softly.

“Hey, pretty girl. It’s Daddy,” Henry’s warm voice filled her ear.

“Oh—hey, Daddy,” Kathy replied.

“I was just telling Debbie that José and his father left the pool hall a bit ago. They brought some big news. José found a new place over in Brooklyn—a place for him and Debbie. They want you both to meet them there today so Debbie can see it.”

“For real? Wow, a new place?” Kathy’s spirits lifted slightly.

“That’s what they say. Now, listen: drop Big Mama off at the bakery and have Ely take you girls over there. Your mama wants me to trust you—that you’ll go straight there and come right back. Can I trust you, Kathy?”

“Yes sir,” Kathy answered quickly.

“And that Italian boy?” Henry asked, his voice firm but hopeful.

Kathy swallowed hard. “I haven’t seen or spoken to him since I left, Pa. I swear it. I swear,” she lied smoothly.

Henry released a sigh of relief. “Good, baby girl. Y’all have fun, but be back before the streetlights turn on, understand?”

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