Of all the ways my son could have punished me,thatwas the cruelest, bringing that girl with him, standing united in the doorway like some solid little team. Both of them looked at me as if they finally saw through me, as if they had the right. I had done it to save him. I’d do it again. Mekhi was never serious about any of these girls. I was waiting on him to find one that actually deserved him. Farrah was not it.
I smoothed my blouse, lifted my chin, and stepped into the foyer with the same composure I’d held since the day I buried my husband.
“Mekhi,” I said. “Farrah. I wasn’t expecting?—”
“Surprised to see her after you delivered her to evil, huh?” Mekhi asked.
Just like that. No greeting. No hesitation.Delivered. As if I were some courier.
“I did what was necessary,” I said. “None of you could ever understand the burden I carry, the choices I’ve had to make. You only look at what affectsyou.”
Farrah moved forward before Mekhi could respond. Her eyes were bright with fury. The gloves were off. She was no longer even pretending to try to get along.
“You traded me,” she said. Her voice was soft but steady. “You handed me to him like I was trash.”
“My child was in danger. And he promised?—”
“He lied!” she exploded.
“Maybe, but he believed he was owed something. And honestly, he was.”
Mekhi let out a low breath, like the sound of something dangerous being held back.
“He wasn’t owedher. Our father died because ofyou. Medgar fell apart because ofyou. Trell grew up fatherless because ofyou. And you still got the nerve to stand here and talk like someone else owed him?” asked Mekhi, incredulously.
I stiffened. “I did the best I could in the situations I had.”
“No. You did what was most convenient. What was easiest for you,” Farrah said, stepping into my space.
I scoffed. “You’re a little suburban child. You don’t know the first thing about what it means to survive.”
“You almost got me killed.”
“I didn’t know he would hurt you,” I snapped. “I thought?—”
She slapped me. The sound cracked through the room like thunder. My head jerked to the side, hair falling over my face. I touched my cheek, stunned, not because it hurt, but because Iwas surprised little Ms. Farrah had the nerve. I smiled. Before I could unleash the fury rising in me, Mekhi caught her arm gently and pulled her back behind him. But his eyes were on me. His look was cold, final.
“You ain’t my mother no more,” he said quietly. “I just wanted to tell you to your face.”
I felt something inside me break. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do. And I’m done. You won’t see me again. And you damn sure ain’t ever getting near Farrah,” he said.
“Don’t you—” I started.
He shook his head once. Then, he took Farrah’s hand and walked out, closing the door behind them without another word. Just like that. I stood there alone. For the first time in years, the house felt enormous. Too quiet. Too hollow. Like the walls themselves were holding their breath.
“I did what I had to. I protected what was mine,” I whispered to the empty foyer like I was looking for vindication.
No one answered.
Hours later, I sat in my bedroom chair, silk robe draped over my knees, the house dark except for one lamp. I was exhausted, and my sleeping pill left me feeling heavy. I let my eyes close for a moment. Just a moment.
A sound woke me. Not loud. Not scary. Just the sound of light movement. I had the sudden feeling of not being alone. I sat up quickly and saw it. Someone was in my room.
A woman— she was tall and curvy, wearing a simple dress. Her skin was deep brown, her hair pulled back in a way I recognized but couldn’t place. Her posture was elegant, regal. I knew she came from money. But her eyes weren’t as composed as the rest of her. They burned.
“What—who are you?” I demanded, reaching for the lamp chain.
