Page 130 of Tainted

“I haven’t said a word, so you came out here for nothing.”

“Has anybody been asking too many questions? Is anybody pressing to get to know you?” I probed deeper.

“No. Everything is simple and boring as fuck here.”

I could feel Tasha’s frustration with how she slammed each item on the counter. She was alone in a new city with no family or support, but I couldn’t risk taking her word that she’d keep her mouth closed. This was the best I could do.

“The police are asking questions again, so it’s coming from somewhere.”

“If somebody talked, it wasn’t me. I know what would happen to me and my son if I do.”

My voice softened. “Do y’all need anything while I’m here?”

“No, we’re fine.”

“Cool. I gotta hit the road. You still got that number?”

“Yes. Only use it if it’s life or death. I know the rules,” Tasha repeated.

I nodded and headed for the door when Tasha called out. “Hey, Keyes, thank you.”

“Welcome,” I backpedaled and handed Tasha all the cash I had on me, “Do something nice for ‘lil man and lock this door.”

Makori deserved what he got, but Tasha and their child were innocent. I couldn’t leave him an orphan simply because of the sins of his father. I would if I found out Tasha was fuckin’ with me, but her only crime was getting pregnant by Makori in the first place.

When I got home, I was surprised to see my mother’s car in the driveway. I hopped out with urgency because it wasn’t like her to pop up.

“What are you doin’ here? Are you okay?” I asked, shutting the door behind me.

“I’m fine. I had some leftovers I needed to get rid of, so I figured you could use them.”

“You had me worried, woman,” I clenched her shoulder, kissing her forehead.

“I thought I’d meet your lil’ friend who’s been occupying all your time.”

“Kross called you, didn’t he?”

“He didn’t need to. Surely you didn’t ring your father’s phone for nothing,” she replied, unloading the Tupperware.

His phone still rang because she couldn’t bring herself to cancel the line. Mom said her process was her own, and nobody would guilt her into moving faster than she was ready. Not even her two knucklehead sons, so I stopped trying.

“Woman problems. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“If that were true, you wouldn’t have called him. So what has you so stressed?”

“You say that like we never got along.”

“Those days were few and far between. Trust me.”

I hopped on the counter, weighing my options. Mom might’ve been a better choice than Kross. She knew Pop’s better than he knew himself most days.

“I had an argument with my girlfriend.”

Mom kept her head down to hide the grin on her face so I didn’t shut down, but I saw it.

“About what?”

“She has questions I can’t answer.”

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