Page 40 of A Trial of the Heart
I scoffed. “I’m not saying that.”
“Then what exactly are you saying? Shiloh, this case is cut and dry. Mr. Carter is guilty, and you will do whatever you need to do to prove it.”
“How do we know he’s guilty?”
“You have three days to have the report on my desk.”He ignored my question.
Or what?Is what I wanted to say, but I needed the job no matter how bad I hated it.
“You’ll have it.”
“Great.”
When Arthur was out of my office and had actually closed the door after himself, I once again dropped my head into my hands.
“Lord, I need the strength, a sign, and a way out,” I whispered. “Oop!”
I gasped when my phone danced, vibrated, and rang on my desk, startling me. My mother was calling, and it wasn’t her normal time, so it was alarming.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?” I asked the moment the call connected.
“What’s wrong? What do you mean, chile?”
“It’s…” My eyes jumped to the huge clock on the wall. “…a quarter after two.”
“Okay…”
I could imagine my mother with her hands on her hip, head tilted, and looking to the ceiling as if the words she were trying to find would be there.
“Is that a problem?” She followed up before I could say anything.
“Of course, not. It’s never a problem for you to call. It’s just since the day I left for college and every day after, you have only called two times a day at the exact same time.”
She had the time so down pat, it was almost to the exact second every day.
My mother sucked her teeth. “Oh, chile, I didn’t even think about it. You crossed my mind something heavy, so of course, I had to call to make sure you’re okay.”
I smiled. My mother was an amazing woman. I loved her to life, but the truth was, she and I didn’t have the “best friend” mother-daughter relationship. My mother loved and nurtured me, but when I was growing up, my daddy was my go-to person. Oftentimes, I found my mother showing me little affection and tough love because that was all she knew. It was never abuse or hate; she just lacked the real motherly gene. So, times when she knew something was off or did something just because, I knew an angel had gained its wings.
“How are you, Peaches?” she asked. Her tone was calm as she called me by my childhood nickname I’d been given by my father. Since his passing, I hadn’t heard the name much.
“I’m okay.”
My mother let out a loud exhale. “Peaches, you can talk to me if you need to.”
She’d called me that more in one conversation than she had in a while, which meant she was concerned. For some reason, I felt tears building, and I didn’t know if it was because I was so overwhelmed or the fact that my mother was allowing me to lean on her shoulder. Either way, I had a strong need to let a tear or two go but I knew how to suppress my feelings well.
“I’m okay, Mommy. I’m just overwhelmed with work.” I didn’t want to stress her about what I did and didn’t have going on in life.
“Alright. I guess you’ll talk to me when the time is right, but can I say something?”
“Of course.”
“You’re my daughter, so I may be biased, but you’re very intelligent and don’t take no ish from no one. You’re Allen’s daughter, and you’re just like him. Whether it be work or your personal life, understand you’re in control, and never allow anyone to make you change your character. You know to do the right thing. Always do it. Whatever this is will pass, and you will make it out on top.”
I smiled hearing my mother sayish, she never cursed, and if she did, it was time for everyone to move out of her way. Also, hearing her mention my daddy warmed my heart. I was his child, and ever since I could remember, I wanted to be just like him.
“Thank you, Mommy.” She hadn’t said a lot, but what she did say meant something.
