Page 6 of Save Room for Us

“Lastly, is there anyone you told about Cedric’s abuse? I know you didn’t tell Leeci anything, but I figured since you’d covered all bases as far as this shit went, maybe you planted something in someone’s head.”

He was right. I did just that, making sure I had somewhat of a witness to all Cedric had done. I knew Analicia wouldn’t be good enough because everyone would assume, as my sister, she’d lie for me. But Jacinta was sort of a mutual party. Sure, she was my coworker and work friend, but she wasn’t my bestie or someone I hung out with outside of work, so in my eyes, she was perfect.

“I did.” I nodded. “My coworker Jacinta. I told her about him hitting me and a few other things.”

“Jacinta…”

“Proctor. I even showed her some of the photos in my phone.”

“Nah, I know who she is. I reached out to her when I found some of ya texts to her. I was about to say Jacinta refused to testify on yo’ behalf.”

“Huh?” I frowned. “Did she say why?”

This sounded nothing like the Jacinta who’d rubbed my back and sent me words of encouragement all the time. She’d even often said she would have my back if I wanted to leave Cedric, so it confused me as to why she didn’t want to assist me with this very important attempted murder trial.

“Nah, she didn’t. She just said she ain’t want to and hung up on a nigga. Did y’all get into it or some shit? From her tone and her responses, she came off to me like she ain’t fuck with you.”

I chuckled, glancing off down the street for a moment before focusing back on Bashar, almost expecting to see a joking smile on his face. But no, he was serious, awaiting my reply, and I could tell he was just as puzzled as I was.

“Jacinta Proctor?” I queried to be sure.

“Yes. I got her number straight from ya phone.”

“Um, alright then, no. I don’t um, have anybody else. I only toldherand showed her pictures.”

“Aight. You straight, don’t worry.” Bashar swaggered off, leaving me standing in my mama’s grass bewildered.

When I finally snapped out of it, I waved bye to Analicia through the window and hated the look of sorrow she wore as she watched me, waving lazily back.

Lord, shit was not going well, but any life I got that wasn’t spent with Cedric was worth the hardship.

I spotted Jacinta getting into her Mercedes and pulling out of the hospital parking lot. Starting my vehicle, I trailed her all the way to this sandwich shop she loved to eat at. We parked virtually at the same time, so I quickly hopped out and jogged to catch her ass before she could enter the eatery.

“Hey, Jacinta.” I tugged on her arm, and when she turned to look my way, her surprised expression quickly turned to one of annoyance. “What is going on?” I asked.

“With?” She folded her arms.

“You. Us. My lawyer said he contacted you to testify for me and tell what you know about my abuse, and you refused?” I posed it as a question despite knowing for sure Bashar wasn’t lying or mixed up in any damn way.

“Look, I can’t, and I won’t.”

“Why? I get not wanting to be mixed up in this type of shit, but I need you, Jacinta. You are the only person I told about what was happening to me,” I admitted, hating that I’d done such a thing, but I’d made no other real friends at work.

“How convenient.” She scoffed.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s mighty strange that you only told me and not even your sister and mother who you claim to be so close with. Why is that, Anastazia?”

Sighing, I glanced off for a moment, then back at her. “Because I knew they would get upset and make things worse.”

I was half lying, but part of that was true. As explained, Jacinta was a more reliable witness for me versus my sister ormom, who would always ride for me and do what was needed to be sure I was free.

“I didn’t want to have to tell you in this way, but me and Cedric have been messing around for a while now. In fact, this is his baby.”

I stepped back from her out of reflex, feeling betrayed beyond belief but not because she was fucking my man. I felt betrayed because I’d confided in her, and she was a shoulder to lean on, all while fucking the very man causing me so much harm and distress.

“You’re lying,” I said, hoping I was right.

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