Page 32 of The Secrets We Treasure

Chapter 8

A few minutes later, Treasure pulled up to her mom’s home. Painted a mellow yellow with deep blue shutters, it was small compared to most of the other homes on the island but neatly kept with a magnificent garden. The house sat off by itself and backed up to the marshland, which had its own wild beauty but paled in comparison with the more expensive ocean-view lots.

Treasure decided to bring her luggage in later. As she got out of the car, her phone buzzed. She fished it out of her purse. It was Helen, requesting to video-chat. Treasure grinned, realizing what was happening. Tray was the one who wanted to video-chat. She slid her finger across the screen to answer. His image popped up.

“Hey, Mom,” he said like a grownup.

A rush of tenderness overtook her. “Hey, babe. How ya doing?”

“Great. Gran and Gramps are taking me out for pizza and milkshakes tonight.”

“Awesome. Are you getting your homework done?”

“Sure am. Gramps is helping me with the math.”

“Good.” Treasure thought again how grateful she was for Kevin and Helen.

Tray wrinkled his nose. “I hate math. It’s soo boring.”

Treasure felt his pain. Math was her least favorite subject. “Get it done fast, and you can go and do other things.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said glumly as his shoulders fell a notch. A second later, his expression brightened. “Are you there yet?” Tray looked past her like he was trying to see her surroundings.

“I am. I just got to Momaw’s house. Here, I’ll show you.” She turned the phone around and fanned it across the house before turning the camera back to herself.

“Cool. Where’s the beach?” Tray asked eagerly.

“It’s several miles away.”

They chatted for a few more minutes. “I love you,” Treasure said.

“I love you too.”

“Tell Gran and Gramps I said hello.”

Tray turned. “Mom says hello,” he said loudly.

Treasure just chuckled. He was so darn cute. “Be good. Mind Gran and Gramps. And don’t eat too much pizza. You’ll get a belly ache.”

“I won’t,” he chimed as he ended the chat.

Treasure couldn’t help but notice that Tray hadn’t asked to speak to his momaw. Guilt churned inside her, questioning if she should bring Tray here more often. Treasure hadn’t yet, on account of her personal baggage. Maybe if she could settle things once and for all with Francie Nash and Josette Chasing, then she would feel comfortable coming home more often. Of course, settling things with those women also meant broaching the topic with Greer. She had no idea how she could bring herself to tell him what happened. All she could do was to keep moving forward and trust that God would help her navigate through the murkiness.

When she reached the front door, she dropped her phone back into her purse. Sucking in a deep breath, she pushed the doorbell and waited a few seconds until the door opened. It wasn’t her mother who greeted her, but Cherry. Born in Jamaica, Cherry had moved to the Outer Banks area with her family when she was a kid. Half white and half black, Cherry was one of the most beautiful women Treasure had ever seen with her smooth, caramel skin and soft black eyes. Ebony ringlets framed her even features. Her name meant darling in Jamaican. Certainly an appropriate description for Cherry.

“Well, hello,” Cherry said, flashing a large pearly-white smile. “You didn’t need to ring the doorbell. This is your home.” Her lusty voice had a musical lilt. She gave Treasure a once-over. “Look how beautiful you are.” The corners of her lips turned down. “But you are looking a little poor.”

“Poor?” Treasure tipped her head, not understanding.

“Thin,” Cherry explained. “We need to get some soul food in you, so we can put some meat on those bones.”

The corners of Treasure’s lips quivered. “I’ve missed your cooking, Cherry. I haven’t had jerk chicken in ages.”

“Well, you’re in luck. I’m making jerk chicken and coconut rice for supper.”

“Sounds amazing.”

Cherry stepped back and motioned. “Come on in.”

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