Page 75 of Riot

The mood shifted then. Not heavier, but deeper.

Her posture straightened a little. “Is your mother… nice?”

I hesitated. “She used to be.”

“Okay,” she said softly.

We turned down Mama’s street, and I slowed to a crawl as we pulled into the driveway. The house looked the same as it always did. It was grandiose, just like she and my father worked for. But something about it felt different this time. Like the warmth it used to carry was flickering. Weak. Like the place was holding its breath. If I’m being honest, the warmth faded when my father died.

Allure sat up straighter. “Is this it?”

“Yeah.” I killed the engine and unclipped my seatbelt. “You good?”

She nodded, but I could tell she was nervous. I reached over, gave her knee a squeeze.

“She might be a little… off,” I said. “Don’t take anything personal.”

She gave me a small smile, but I could see her nerves bubbling just below it.

We walked up the path, and before I even reached the door, I could hear her.

Pacing.

Muttering.

I opened the door and found my mother roaming the living room in a worn silk robe, barefoot, hair uncombed and wild around her shoulders like she’d wrestled with her pillow and lost. She looked thinner. Her usual vibrant brown skin was pale, and her eyes were wild, darting around like she was being followed.

“Mama,” I said, stepping inside.

She stopped. Looked right at me. But it took her a second, like her brain had to catch up to her eyes.

“Riot,” she breathed, walking over and hugging me tight.

I held her, swallowing down the knot in my throat. She smelled like she hadn’t bathed in a couple days plus bitter tea, old perfume, and something medicinal underneath.

“You look tired,” I said gently.

“Iamtired,” she said, pulling back. “Tired of this world. Tired of what your father did. Tired of what he left behind. He ruined everything. Took everything I ever loved. All three of my boys. He ruinedmythree boys!”

I froze.

All three?

She’d never referred to Havoc like that. Not once. She loved him, sure. But she never really referred to him as her. He was always theotherson.

I blinked. “Mama, I think you need to see a doctor. Just let me take you. You ain’t been right lately. You’re talking in circles.”

“I don’t need no doctor,” she snapped, pulling away. “I need to be left the hell alone! You think they can fix this?” She tapped the side of her temple. “You think a pill can make it all better?”

Before I could say anything else, her gaze slid past me.

To Allure.

She stiffened.

Everything about her posture shifted. Her face contorted. Her eyes narrowed like she was seeing something orsomeoneelse entirely.

“What is she doing here?”

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