Page 56 of Saved By A Small Town Country Boy
“Yeah, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“I don’t know what makes you think that.”
Sighing, I stepped onto the porch and took a seat on the swing. Everything that happened the night before washed over me. I really thought I was going to die after I told him what happened. I’ve never seen him react that way before, but it’s expected since I said something about his child. People have the right to protect their families, and for a split second, he thought I was the enemy.
“We had a disagreement, and let’s just say he doesn’t want anything to do with me right now.”
“Come here.” I gazed up at her as she stood over me. “Come here. Let me show you something.”
I got up from the swing and followed her off the porch to the garage door. Dallas opened it and I saw several boxes stacked in there that weren’t in there the night before.
“What’s all this?”
“Simone’s things. Khalif packed all of it last night and this morning. It’s been two years since we’ve been trying to get him to move past her death. You’ve been here less than two months, and you got him to walk back into the church. You’ve got him to pack her things up. You’ve got him to believe in life again, Remedi.” Tears blurred my vision. I didn’t have a clue that little old me impacted his life in that manner. “Whatever y’all got into it about, give him time. I’m sure he’ll come around because if he didn’t want to, he wouldn’t have done all this for you. You gave him hope. Don’t leave my brother now, Remedi.”
“I wish I didn’t have to, but I’ve gotten to the point where I really don’t have a choice.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m in trouble, Dallas, and I don’t know how I’m going to get out of it.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“I killed someone, and now Sheriff Sinclair is looking for me.”
I didn’t expect her to understand. I don’t even get why I told her now.
“Does Khalif know?” I nodded. “I’m sure you did it for a good reason.”
“He killed my best friend.” Tears welled in my eyes, thinking about it.
“Trust me, that didn’t run Khalif off.”
I’m sure it didn’t. He has a whole damn cocaine farm. There’s no telling what that man has done, yet it doesn’t even bother me.
Walking away from the garage, I went back to the porch with her right on my trail.
“Talk to Khalif about the sheriff. I’m sure he can figure something out. Don’t just up and leave yet.”
I sat down on the swing, waiting for Khalif to make it back so that we could talk. My phone rang again, but this time it was my mama. I didn’t even feel like dealing with her shit right now. She thought that she was going to come down here and force me back home. Even though I said I was leaving, my plan wasn’t to go back to Atlanta. I was going to drive until I couldn’t anymore. Wherever I ended up was where I was going to be. After talking to Dallas, I’m not even sure if I want to leave anymore.
“Yeah?” I answered the phone just to see what she wanted.
“I’m heading home. Reese told me that she talked to you. You don’t think it’s best to just turn yourself in and we figure it out from there? Running is only going to make matters worse.”
“Are you serious right now? I turn myself in, and I’ll never see the light of day again. I knew answering the phone for you was a mistake.”
I removed the phone from my ear and hovered my thumb over the red button.
“Remedi, wait!”
Sighing, I asked, “What, Ma?”
“I’m not trying to upset you or anything. I’m just worried about you. You can’t blame me for that.”
“I understand, Ma, but this is my life. I don’t plan on turning myself in. I’ll call you later.”
My eyes drifted to Dallas, who walked across the field in the direction of her house. I’ll wait and see what Khalif has to say. If he pushes me away, I’m just going to leave and not think about coming back.
