Page 11 of His Noble Heart
“I sure will. I’m going to start dinner,” Ma said before heading inside with us right behind her.
“Why aren’t you at work?” I asked my brother.
“I had a dentist appointment, so I left early. I was headed home but stopped here when I saw your car.”
“You staying for dinner?” Ma asked.
“You want Raine to file for divorce? She probably already started cooking, and if I come home and tell her I already ate, I might be homeless.”
My mother and I laughed. Shyne’s visit was short, and by the time my father and Indira, who lived with my parents, arrived home, dinner was ready. After I stuffed my face, I walked off the calories at the grocery store and went home.
Once inside my apartment, I unpacked my groceries, showered, and turned in for the night. The day had been a bit longer than anticipated, and my bed was calling my name.
Zelle was convincedI’d robbed him, and although he was right, he still had no proof. Proof or not, the longer he connected my name to the money he was missing, the higher the chance his bosses would do the same. If that happened, not only would they be after me, but my mother’s and sister’s lives would be at risk.
My mother wouldn’t let up on the idea of me moving to Onyx City to work in her brother’s shop. Since my name was hot in the streets, I would only consider leaving if her and Ramina came with me. Leaving them would put them in danger with no one to protect them.
“Ro, I’ve been at my job for twenty-two years. I can’t just up and leave,” my mother said when I shared the only way I’d consider leaving.
“Maybe you can transfer to a hospital in Onyx City,” I suggested. “But I’m not leaving unless you and Mina come with me.”
“I’ll go. I need a fresh start. Maybe I can make some friends,” my sister said.
“You could have friends here if you didn’t have such a bad attitude,” Ma told her.
“True, but it’s too late for all that now. When are we leaving?”
“Slow down, Mina. Are you sure you want to transfer schools before your senior year?” I asked.
“It’s not like I have connections with anyone here. There’s really nothing tying me to Savannah.”
I had to make an executive decision to keep them safe and prayed my mother didn’t fight me on it.
“The lease is up for renewal next month. Let the landlord know we’re leaving. We have nothing keeping us here,” I reasoned.
My mother studied me for a few minutes before responding. “What did you do?”
“What do you mean? I didn’t do anything but think about working at Uncle David’s shop like you wanted,” I lied.
“No. I don’t believe you. Something had to have happened because you’re pressing this too hard. What did you do?”
I looked back and forth between my mother and sister as I contemplated whether or not I wanted to rat my sister out since her actions started this shit.
“I can’t tell you everything because it might put you in danger.”
“Rowdy! What did you do?” Ma shouted. “It’s that money I found the other day, isn’t it?”
“My last hit was a big one, and even though there’s no proof, my name has been mentioned.”
“Oh my God! I told you to stop taking those people’s money.”
She popped me on the back of my head.
“Ow! What’d you do that for?”
“Because you’re stupid. I’ve been telling you for years to get a real job, but you refuse to listen. Now our lives are in danger.”
“Ma, I got it under control.”
