Page 44 of Risks

I’m about to walk away, but shegrips my arm to stop me.

“Varen…I knew Toya wouldn’t open thedoor for me,” she says sadly. “So, um, I waited until you came back.” Her eyesturn pleading as she adds, “Please. Let me see her.”

I politely remove my arm from hergrasp. “I’m going inside. It’s up to Toya whether she wants to let you into theapartment.” I head for the main door.

Lisa shadows me up the stairs,nervous breaths filling the quiet along with our steps.

I pause a moment before opening thedoor.

“Hey, did you—” Toya’s eyes expandwhen she sees Lisa. She jumps up from the couch. “What the hell are you doinghere?”

“Baby, I’m—”

“Don’t!” Toya clips. “Varen, closethe door.”

Lisa sticks her hand in before I getthe chance, pushing her way inside. “I thought I was doing the right thing.” Hervoice cracks, and tears stream down her face.

“Seriously?” Toya sputters. “Yourobbed us of so much time. How was that the right thing?”

“He would have thrown his dreamsaway. I couldn’t let him do that. He’d worked so hard.”

“Then why didn’t you come cleanafter he finished college?” Toya grits through clenched teeth.

Lisa wobbles her head, sobbing. “Iwas ashamed and afraid he’d try to take you from me out of anger.”

Toya dips her head back and gruntsfuriously. “I don’t believe you. Just leave.”

“Baby, please. I’m so sorry.” Shefalls to her knees. “I’m so so sorry. Tell me what to do. I’ll do anything.”

“Go. Away!” Toya’s screams make evenme wince.

“There’s nothing you can do to fix this. I gave you second chances for all theshit you brought into my life. But this? No way in hell I’ll forgive you thistime.”

Lisa sobs even more. “Toya...I can’tlose you.”

“You’ve already lost me.” Disgustlaces her tone.

Unable to look at Lisa’s pitifulsight, I help her back to her feet. She sways a tad until finding her balance.

“I’ll give you time,” she murmurs. “ButI won’t stop asking for your forgiveness.”

Toya crosses her arms roughly and turnsher back on her mom. “I won’t forgive you, no matter how much time passes.”

Despite what Lisa did, some part ofme is sad they’re like that. I keep thinking about my mom and how she’s nothere. I wish I could talk to her, but I don’t have the chance. Lisa and Toyado.

Drawing a shaky breath, Lisa straightensout her jacket and steps outside, looking dejected. I wait until she starts forthe stairs before closing the door.

The second I turn, Toya chucks intomy arms, clinging to me as she weeps.

Her body stiffens at the sound of tumbling,accompanied by cries of agony.

We tear apart and rush out the door.

“Mom!” Toya yells. “Oh my god!”

Neighbors in the lower apartment arestanding outside their doors.

We hurry down the stairs to Lisa, lyingat the bottom.

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