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The doorbell rang as I put three slices on a baking pan to heat up in the oven.
“Coming.”
I closed the oven and walked to the door. Troy stood on my porch. His presence sent my heart galloping. He was here. He’d come over.
“We need to talk.”
His hard voice plucked me out of my head. “Umm, sure. Come on in.”
He entered but didn’t move farther inside than the hall. “Here.” He thrust a covered dish I hadn’t been aware he was holding at me. “Gladys wanted to ensure you had a nice home-cooked meal.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“She’s a nice woman.” He clenched his hands into fists. “All day she’s done nothing but sing your praises like one of her revival hymns. I’m not sure what you’re trying to pull here by wheedling your way into her home, but just so you know, I’m convincing her to move to Atlanta with me. So I’d appreciate it if you kept your distance from her.”
“Now wait a minute—”
But he’d already strode out and slammed my door in my face.
4
TROY
“And just where do you think you’re coming from, young lady?” I folded my arms.
My grandaunt startled, then slowly turned around, hands in front of her, searching.
“Where am I?” She felt for the walls. “How did I get here? Don’t tell me I was sleepwalking again.”
My lips twitched with the beginning of a smile, but I sobered up. Her knees were the reason I was here. Though I’d suspected she was exaggerating how bad the situation was, I’d given her a taste of her own medicine by having her rest and do nothing.
For an active woman of her age, she didn’t care for that one bit. It would only be a matter of time before she confessed why she’d insisted on me visiting. I’d fallen asleep on the couch, and when I woke up, I’d found her gone instead of resting like she’d said she would.
Deceitful woman.
She would have sounded more believable if she wasn’t covered in glitter and smelled of cheap cologne.
“Cut the act, Gladys. You’re not fooling anyone. Where did you go anyway? Pink Lips?”
Pink Lips was a strip club she frequented every other Thursday. When I was sixteen, she’d sat me down, told me a woman had needs too, and instructed me to contact 911 if I had an emergency. Not her. 911.
“All right, yes, I went to the Pink Lips,” she said. “Got me a nice lap dance, and now I’m back. What’s the problem?”
“I thought your knees hurt.”
“I wasn’t standing up. You have to sit to get a lap dance.” She shook her head. “And I thought you were a genius.”
“You know what I mean. You lied about your knees to get me here.”
“I wouldn’t have had to lie if you’d come home.”
“That’s manipulative.”
“No, that’s love. Like the love I showed you when I took you in and provided a home for you right here in this house you’re trying to avoid.”
“And now I’m trying to return the favor. You’ve been to my place in Atlanta. It’s huge. You’ll have enough space to continue your shenanigans. There are even more strip clubs in Atlanta than here.”
“No, thanks. This is my home, but it’s yours too, so you’re welcome to stay.”
