Page 111 of Tainted

Brandy sighed, her eyes briefly darting away before returning to meet mine. “Neither of us have a mom anymore.”

Her response hit me like a wave of realization that Brandy and I shared a similar void. The absence of a mother figure in our lives, whether by choice or circumstance. It was a sobering moment that forged a deeper understanding.

“I guess it’s good we have each other even when you drive me fuckin’ crazy,” I replied, cracking a sarcastic smile.

For the first time, I understood what she saw in Otto. Brandy’s damaged heart settled for his bullshit because he was there, unlike Misa or anyone else other than Nana.

Kenyon’s gray sweatsuit appeared in the hallway, waving Brandy and me toward him.

“The King has summoned us,” Brandy joked, standing up.

I waited until I was upright to hit her with my shoulder, walking back to the waiting area.

“You two can go,” Misa announced, and Brandy quickly pressed the button to open the doors.

“You need me, or you got it?” Kenyon asked.

I wanted to be a big girl, but I wasn’t sure. Kenyon didn’t give me a chance to lie, draping his arm around my shoulder and guiding me to room seven. I paused in the doorway, where Brandy kneeled beside her bed.

When I saw her eyes open, I breathed a sigh of relief that opened the floodgates.

“Banana Girl!”

Her weak voice cut through my sobs. “Oh, hush all that noise, girl, and get over here.”

Complying with her request, I slid my hand inside hers and kissed the back.

“You scared me. You know that?”

“You worry too much. Just like that daughter of mine,” Banana Girl complained.

“Somebody has to worry about you,” Brandy chimed in.

“Sir, would you like me to grab another chair?” The nurse asked, easing past Kenyon into the room.

“Who is that?” Nana asked because Brandy and I were blocking her line of sight.

Brandy tried to smother her chuckle as Kenyon stepped up and kneeled beside her.

“Nice to meet you, beautiful. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, wearing that charismatic smile that made women blush. Even my sixty-seven-year-old grandma.

“Mr. Soul Snatcher himself,” Nana’s lips curled into a crooked smile. “He’s handsome.”

Kenyon’s head tilted toward me. “You’re giving me nicknames I don’t know about?”

“She’s obviously delirious,” I gritted, bulging my eyes at Banana Girl.

“Sorry to interrupt. I need to check Ms. Prescott’s vitals,” The nurse announced.

The three of us allowed the nurse space and opportunity to do her job. The tension in my chest finally eased when the doctor informed us it wasn’t another stroke. Misa had joined us because she was so concerned. Thankfully, it was a severe UTI that sent her into a fit of confusion. Once the doctor assured us she would be fine, Misa told Nana she would be back tomorrow, but I wasn’t holding my breath, and I hoped she wasn’t either.

“I think I’m going to head out, too. I need to get some sleep before work,” Brandy announced.

“Good, and take this one with you,” Banana Girl said, pointing at me.

“I think I’m going to stay,” I said, glancing over at Kenyon, who sat at her bedside, per Banana Girl’s request. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she was trying to steal my man.

“Oh no, you’re not.” She slid her hand from his palm and patted the backside, “Take her home, Soul Snatcher.”

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