Page 174 of Anything Necessary for Her
“Did you guys want anything?” Analicia diverted her attention to us.
“No thank you,” Low and I replied in unison.
“Oh, and congratulations!” She hugged me again and then Low. “I cannot wait to be recruited to the wedding committee.” She beamed before skating out as I thanked her.
“I did my research into the investigation just to see what they had and what they didn’t. They don’t have shit on anybodyor anything that’s concrete. Brenden was a wild nigga and into drugs, so anything could’ve happened to his ass.
“Whatdidhappen though?” Bashar got started, immediately switching his tenor from playful brother to corporate lawyer.
Low let me have the floor since it essentially started with me.
“Well, I was out there in Vegas and at the nightclub Canopy when Brenden came in and tried to . . . I guess rape me. I wasn’t sure, but he grabbed me up, and we started fighting, so I can only assume that was his intent.” I watched Bashar sigh and frown uncomfortably. “When I was getting the best of him, he fled, and I chased him.”
“Banks, what the fuck?” He shook his head, face screwed up in disproval.
“What? I couldn’t let him get away until I was done fucking him up!” I exclaimed, making him and Low chuckle while shaking their heads.
“Good luck, my nigga,” Bashar told Low, leaning back in his chair.
“Anyway.” I rolled my eyes, “While chasing his ass, he ran into Low and tried to get his help, but I told Low what went down, and he beat him to death.”
Bashar nodded.
“His body won’t ever be found or recovered,” Low added.
“Aight.” Bashar sat up. “I wouldn’t sweat this shit right now because, like I said, they ain’t got shit. On top of that, I’m sure you did what you needed to make sure any evidence that they’re looking for has been eradicated.” Low bobbed his head coolly, so Bashar added, “They’re fishing and hoping if they poke you enough, you’ll fold. Or, they’re banking on baby girl to get spooked and start talking. We both know neither will happen, and with no body, no prints, no real proof that a wayward individual bound to disappear on his own is even dead, and thefact that they can only place you in the same city but nothing else is great for y’all.
“These detectives try to scare you by dropping circumstantial evidence on you in hopes you’ll be frightened enough to tell everything, but circumstantial evidence is just that, and if they walk into a courtroom stating that you’re a murderer simply because you were in Vegas at the same time as Brenden, they won’t even get a fucking indictment.”
“The detective, can I get rid of his ass?” Low queried.
“Let me find out everybody he’s working with and talking to first, because killing him may not even do anything if six other detectives are also looking to pin this shit on you.”
“I got you.” Low huffed.
We finished up with Bashar. Since we both had nothing else planned for the day, we chose to go have an early dinner and then see a movie. I wasn’t sure what was actually out, but Low and I never paid much attention anyway.
“Get me some sparkling water, please,” I said as Low climbed out of his car at the gas station near my brother’s firm.
He bobbed his head to say ‘okay’ before shutting the door, and once he was gone, I silently prayed the water would calm my nerves and settle my stomach.
Noticing Low was still inside of the gas station liquor store, I dug through my purse to retrieve the pregnancy test bearing the word pregnant clear as day in the window.
I swallowed the lump wallowing in my throat the same way I’d done when I took this one and the other four after.
I wasn’t sure what it was I wanted to do, but I also never forgot Low telling me he wouldn’t be okay with me getting an abortion if I ever fell pregnant.
On top of that, I didn’t think our relationship would survive if I went behind his back to have it done. Not to mention, I wasn’teven sure if I wanted one. All of this was why I had yet to say anything, though I had only known for a few days.
I was startled when my door came open to see Low standing there holding my water. Thankfully, as my thoughts trailed off, I’d secured my hand back in my purse, so the test I’d still been clutching was concealed.
“You aight?” He smirked, somewhat amused by the fact that I’d jolted when he opened the door. “This ain’t no hood gas station, baby, and I got you.”
“Whatever.” I smiled, taking the water and resting back against the seat as he pumped the gas.
WEEKS LATER . . .
“Low,can you explain to your mother how her drinking affects you?” The therapist, Dr. Antonia Jackson, intercepted my thoughts as I sat on the caramel-colored couch in her office.
