Page 64 of The Aries Alliance
“Maybe, but the media picked it up. A lot of fools believe anything that comes across their TVs.”
Val reached over and patted my knee.
“I don’t know what’s going on anymore. Warrick and I were supposed to go to the media first. I’ve become a damn martyr.”
“What’s that your grandma always said? To whom much is given, much is required. The mantle is heavy on your back, sis.”
“It’s too damn heavy.” I took a deep breath and collapsed in Val’s leather car seat. She reached for my hand and held it as I cried like a baby.
“How am I going to survive this? Dang.”
By 7:00 a.m., Val got me settled into my home with all the tissues and streaming movies I could watch. As soon as I opened my laptop to watchHunger Games,a reporter from theEmber Falls Gazetteemailed me at my work email. Did people in this town sleep?
We’re preparing a story about claims that you’re a racist. Would you like to provide a comment or clarification before publication?
I had never returned a library book late, yet here I was, being accused of being discriminatory against a couple of white women. My life had turned into a real-life soap opera. I felt nauseous and held my stomach as it twisted and turned.
I picked up my phone to call my supervisor, Henry, not caring how early it was. The call went straight to voicemail.
I then texted my diversity officer friend and explained my situation. He gave me the name of a high-profile attorney who specialized in higher education law. I shot the guy a quick email and collapsed in my bed.
Me:
Call Mom and let her know what’s going on. I can’t deal with her drama.
Val:
Got you.
I gripped my sheets so hard my knuckles became pale. As I tried to control my breathing, Val called.
“Why are you up? Turn off all media, sis.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“It should be with the never-ending hell they put you through. What you need is time off so that hellhole can burn to the ground.”
“The diversity officer I spoke with thinks it will probably blow over by the weekend.”
“I can see that. People in these parts have the attention span of a gnat. What I need you to do is get your groove on somewhere. Let the people who care most for you handle everything.”
I chuckled.
“Who’s gonna care for me, boo?”
“Me, your peeps, and War. He wouldn’t have called me if he didn’t care. Remember that.”
By the time I said goodbye to Val, Henry still hadn’t called me back. I threw my phone onto my comforter and fell back onto my king-sized pillows, letting out a scream from the depths of my belly. Although the morning sun beamed through my window and landed on my bed like it was the happiest of days, today was one of the darkest days of my life.
I rubbed my temples and closed my eyes, willing this mess to go away. Although I’d never been one to back out of a fight, Val was right. I needed to take my own advice. It was time for me to put my oxygen mask on and breathe.
Reckoning
When Scarlettand Val left my home, I sat at my kitchen table, processing everything. I came across as a hard-nosed guy, but Scarlett hurt my feelings. We agreed to be a team, but her actions didn’t reflect that.
Val texted me hours ago that she dropped Scarlett off, but why hadn’t Scarlett called or texted?
It’s not about you, War.I repeated the words several times in my mind, breathing in and out until my body calmed.
