Page 5 of Save Room for Us

Typically, if Cedric injured me enough to where I’d broken a rib or had a busted lip from him slapping me harder than intended, I would play busy when my sister or mother called to see me or hang out. After the incident where he and Bashar fought, Cedric took his loss out on me, and I had to play it like I was upset with Analicia and didn’t want to see or talk to her, until I was healed enough to where I wouldn’t be limping or wincing in front of them.

“It’s okay now,” I said instead of going into a gory explanation.

“No the fuck it’s not, Stazi! Now you might go to jail for shooting his ass! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“For what, Leeci? So you could run over there, piss him off, he hit you, then beat my ass after?”

She huffed, face twisted in vexation.

“Okay, I get why not before, when I was with Jarrio, but you know Bashar and not just him, but how his family is. They?—”

“They areyourfamily, baby girl. Bashar is your husband. His job is to protect you and your children, not your older sister. I am not the Compton’s/St. Thomas’ problem. I had to get out of this shit on my own, and I did it in a way I saw fit.”

Analicia nodded, touching my hands with her warm ones and caressing them gently.

“Well, I’m happy it’s him hooked up to the hospital machines and not you.” Leaning in, she said, “Bashar is gonna get you out. He’s the best in the city, hell the state.”

I surely fucking hoped so, but if not, knowing I would never have to be raped, hold my pee, or beaten for the smallest thing was enough freedom for me.

SOME TIME LATER…

“The defendant’sbail will be set in the amount of one million dollars.” The judge banged the gavel, and though I was happy to get bail granted, the amount was way too fucking high, so I didn’t get why Bashar was smiling.

“Who has one million dollars, Bashar?” I frowned.

“Your Honor, the defendant shot her boyfriend six times. I don’t think she should be allowed back into society!” the prosecutor, who I already didn’t like, Emilia Finley, shouted back.

“Miss Chase has no criminal history, no access to private planes, so is therefore not a flight risk, and has a young child that still nurses. She will be granted bail, and I don’t want to discussit any further,” Judge Herringbone replied. That old white lady was quite scary, making Prosecutor Finley retreat and pack up.

As Finley walked out, Bashar explained, “We only have to pay ten percent, so don’t worry about that shit.”

“That’s one hundred thousand dollars.” I chuckled humorlessly.

“I know, love. I can count. See you in a bit.” He walked out as the guard escorted me to the back in order for me to be taken back to the jail so I could be processed out.

An hour later and I was free. I hadn’t spent much time in the jail, only a few days, and that was because Cedric had beaten me so badly, I had to stay in the infirmary for a long while. Bashar assured me, though, that this would help me tremendously in the trial, and how smart I was to let him get a few hits in before I shot him. While I agreed initially, as I limped to the black truck he and Analicia were sitting in, waiting on me, I wasn’t too sure.

Bashar opened the back door for me and assisted me into the back seat with my adorable nephew Benton. I smiled at him as he slept soundly, fat cheeks on full display. I couldn’t help myself as I leaned over to peck his cheek gently as to not wake him.

“How are you feeling?” Analicia turned in her seat a bit to look back at me.

“Good as I can be, considering I had three broken ribs, a fractured face, and deep bruising on my neck from being choked.”

“Ugh, I’m so happy you shot his ass.” She huffed, making us all chuckle subtly.

Bashar stopped for me to get something to eat, and then we ended up at my mother’s home.

“Thank you.” I opened the door to get out and noticed Bashar exiting as well.

Coming around to help, he walked me up toward my mother’s home and said, “Few things to update you on, Stazi. Iwas able to get the courts to grant temporary custody to your mother, so Sophie has to reside here. But you also must reside here or anywhere but home, because your residence is a crime scene, and at the moment, you can’t live in that muthafucka. Lastly, as far as work, your license has been suspended temporarily as well, so you can’t practice right now.”

“Oh.” I bobbed my head up and down slowly, in disbelief and confusion.

A part of me was thankful as far as Sophie went because I didn’t know what the court’s plans were and was hoping they didn’t grant Cedric’s family custody for the time being. However, not being able to work or live in my home was something I hadn’t taken into account. I just wanted Cedric’s ass out of here.

“Yeah, but don’t worry. All this shit is gon’ work out in ya favor, aight?”

“Okay.” I half smiled.

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