Page 38 of Time Stops With You

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a child and your focus should be on getting through school. Don’t make me repeat myself. Stop whatever you’re doing for Mr. Cullenright now.”

Beep.

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it in shock. Did my little brother just hang up on me?

My patience blows.

My body surges with angry adrenaline.

I toss the rest of my items in my purse and scurry downstairs. Cooking up punishments for Josiah is all that keeps me sane on the road back home.

I’ve been more than considerate but, in my day, we wouldneverhang up on a grown up when talking on the phone. We knew exactly what punishment would be waiting for us if we tried.

As I near the apartment, I notice there’s still quite a few construction trucks parked in front. The lights are on and the buzzing of tools is loud.

Are they planning on working through the night?

My phone shows no new messages from management. I guess they really don’t care about the tenants.

I yank my purse straps higher on my shoulder and storm toward the side entrance. To my surprise, I see Big T hanging out near the steps, smoking. He puts it out when he sees me and smiles wide.

“Hey, Nardi.”

“Hey.” I wave a hand to chase off the cigarette smoke.

“Crazy what’s happening, right?” Big T says, nodding to the trucks.

I’m not in the mood for a conversation with him. Besides, he still smells heavily of smoke. Josiah had asthma as a baby, so I’m very careful about strong scents in his clothes and our apartment. It’s one of the reasons I make my own shampoos, lotions, and buy all-natural soap from the farmer’s market.

I push a smile to my lips, hope it conveys enough of my disinterest and try to head up the stairs.

Big T slides into my path. “You just coming from work?”

Isn’t it obvious?I nod.

“You working hard, mama.” Big T rubs his hands together. “When do you let yourself have fun?”

“I have a brother to feed and bills to pay. There’s no time for fun.” I step to the left.

Big T does too, his chest jiggling under his giant T-shirt. Looking down at me like a dog with a bone, he croons, “A woman as beautiful as yourself shouldn’t be locked up like that. All work and no play drives people crazy, you know?”

I’ve worked hard my entire life and, while Josiah would probably beg to differ, I don’t consider myself crazy.

Big T folds his arms over his chest, a giant mountain in my path. He seems determined to lock me down for a date.

Why is he doing this tonight of all nights? I just want to go upstairs, yell at my brother a bit and then go to bed.

“What are you doing this Friday?” Big T asks, as he does that strange, chin down gesture men do when they’re trying to look cool.

“I’ll be getting ready for my sale on Saturday.” I step to the right.

Big T follows me. “You’re not getting readyallday, right? You must have an hour or so. I mean, you gotta eat, right?”

My belly growls at that moment. I skipped lunch so I could take an hour to go for Josiah. I haven’t eaten anything since last night. But what time is it? If I eat this late, I’ll have to stay up for at least two hours while my food digests.

“I’m on a diet,” I lie.

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