Page 84 of Sins of the Father

You have no other options.

I cave, and with shaky hands, remove my diamond studs and place them on the counter next to the rings.

He picks up his magnifying glass and checks them out.

I grip the edge of the counter.

We finish the transaction, and he counts out the cash and hands it to me.

I take one last glance at my earrings and shove the money in my purse and leave.

When I step outside, it’s dark. My tears blur my vision, and I don’t notice anything.

You’ve officially hit rock bottom.

But I’m wrong.

A man in a black hoodie and ripped jeans steps out of the shadows and grabs my purse off my shoulder.

“Hey,” I cry out and try to keep hold of it, but he yanks it so hard, I let go. He runs down the street, and I try to go after him and yell for him to stop, but it’s pointless.

I come to a stop, panting from my futile effort. For the first time, the dilapidated buildings and iron doors hit me. I’m in an unsafe neighborhood. I have no clue how far I am from Vivian’s or Jamison’s. And, I’ve spent the day so focused on pawning my jewelry, I never even called her.

My phone. I left it on the counter in the shop.

I run back to the pawnbroker’s, but it’s already boarded up, and the open sign is turned off.

“No,” I scream and pound on the door.

A deep voice says, “Sugar, you don’t belong in this neighborhood, do you?”

I turn. A six-foot-plus black man with a blond curly wig leans against the building two storefronts down, smoking a cigarette. He wears a fur boa, miniskirt dress, and heels.

“I won’t hurt you, darling. Do you need help?”

“I... I left my phone here, and someone just stole my purse.”

“You can use my cell. Is there someone you want to call?”

“Yes, please. I...” More dread fills me. “I don’t know anyone’s number.”

He steps closer. “I see. Where do you live?”

“Umm... I’m not from here. I’m staying at my brother’s.”

“And where would that be?” He takes a final drag and throws his cigarette on the ground then squishes it with his shoe.

“Downtown. Not far from Michigan Ave. and the river.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Ummm...” Tears fall.

I’m so stupid.

“Don’t cry, sugar. I’ll tell you what. My friend has a car. She came to see the show. Let me get her, and she can help us figure this out.”

“The show?”

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