Page 61 of Death Match

“Strip-per.” Ricky emphasized the word to really drive it home.

I couldn’t tell if he was teasing or if he was genuinely disappointed.

“This, coming from someone who knowingly joined a gang,” Jade said, then shook her head. “Whatever. After tonight, I don’t think I’m going back anyway. That Cornelius guy creeped me out enough.”

“Yeah, if he knows you’re there, it’s probably safer to stay away.”

“You promise you had nothing to do with it.” It was a statement. Not a question. “You didn’t tell anyone.”

“I promise, Jade,” he replied. “I said nothing.”

He sounded genuine enough, but I didn’t know him like living-Jade did. I couldn’t tell if he was lying.

Ricky frowned. He may have been just trying to help, desperate to give her and me some kind of protection from this crazy and dangerous environment because he cared, but she was right. Gang life only ended one of two ways. In jail or dead. And tonight, it had almost been the latter.

A police’s siren blared as one of the squad cars flew past the alley, momentarily throwing red and blue lights against the darkness.

Living-Jade sighed. “Guess I’m not getting home tonight,” she said.

“You’d probably be better off staying away for a few days,” Ricky said. “Yonny and his crew will be hanging around, waiting for you to get back, more than likely.”

“I can’t just go into hiding. Where would I go, anyway? And what about Tina?”

Tina… My mysterious sister.

“Where is she now?” Ricky asked.

“I told her to stay at her friend’s after school today. I make her stay over there most days, especially lately.” The sadness weighing in her words was obvious and heartbreaking. Whatever was going on at home, it wasn’t good.

“Is there any way she can spend the night there tonight?” he asked.

She nodded weakly. “I just need to call and ask the mom if she can stay again.”

“What about you?” he asked. “Is there a place you can crash though?”

Jade paused, but then shook her head no.

“Stay with me then.”

“Oh, no,” she began. “No, I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“What about Mr. Ricardo? Your dad? I don’t want him thinking I…”

Ricky waved his hands. “Just as friends. Don’t worry,” he said with a shy smile. “I live in the basement now. Separate entrance and all. He won’t even know you’re there.”

From the apprehensive look on Jade’s face, something told me she wasn’t so much worried about them being considered a couple. More like, she didn’t want Mr. Ricardo to know she was in the tough situation she was in. Just like how she had made Ricky swear never to tell him about whatever was going on with her bruises.

She didn’t want to be seen as weak or helpless. Which I could relate to. Especially with someone I looked up to and respected. Like how I was with Simon.

Proof things did transfer over after death.

“Only for tonight, if you want,” Ricky said, sensing living-Jade’s hesitation. “And you can use my cell for Tina.”

A small smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “Thanks.”

Jade and Ricky walked over to the back fence. As they started to climb it, the swirling clouds appeared again and the coldness returned to my limbs, signaling the end of this piece of my memory.

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