We carried on with our shopping until my body couldn’t handle any more walking. I settled on purchasing two long dresses. A light yellow, sleeveless one that was more suitable for warm weather, and the other was a light colored, long sleeved green dress for cooler temperatures. I wanted to be prepared if anything changed.
“Excuse me, excuse me!” a woman called.
Cassie and I looked back, checking to see if whoever was behind us was actually speaking to one of us.
“I knew it was you.”
I couldn’t move when I made eye contact with the woman. It was the same chick who showed up to my house with Shane and her daughter a while ago. She and her child had crossed my mind a few times since our last encounter. Curiosity got the best of me as I wondered if anything happened after she and her daughter left my home.
“Hey,” my voice cracked.
I glanced at Cassie. She squinted as she eyed the woman from head to toe. “You good?” she asked me while her focus remained on the lady.
“Y-Yes,” I stammered, trying to discreetly get myself together.
The woman’s eyes were glued to my belly, probably wondering if I was carrying Shane’s baby.
“Congratulations. Pregnancy suits you,” she complimented while her eyes traveled from my large belly to my face.
“Thank you,” I replied, keeping it short. I would let her go with whatever narrative she came up with in her head. “How is your daughter?” I switched the topic from me to her.
She quickly looked away, staring out into the crowd of mall shoppers. “Orisha ain’t doing the best mentally because of what Shane’s muthafuckin ass did to her.”
My heart crumbled to pieces.Poor Orisha.
Cassie quietly stood next to me, and I knew she was confused about what was going on. This was information I hadn’t shared with anyone.
“And Shane?” I inquired in a low tone, not sure if she heard me.
“Hmph, that nigga is on the run.”
“On the run?”
“Yeah, he got locked up, and a week later I found out the nigga was released. I went everywhere tryna find him to get justice myself, but it seems as if he just vanished.”
How was Shane able to get out after ruining a little girl’s life?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Shane was out searching for his next victim if he hadn’t found one already. I couldn’t shake the thoughts of what could’ve happened to Rhema if I hadn’t caught him when I did.
My blood was boiling. “How was he able to get out so soon?”
“That’s the same question I have. You know those lazy bums don’t put much effort into people who look like you and me.”
She was right, but it was disappointing to hear. The system was fucked up, and for the life of me, I never understood how those who deserved to be behind bars were free to roam the streets while others who committed small, petty crimes were serving long prison sentences.
Cassie searched my face for answers, probably wondering why I didn’t tell her about this. I would talk to her about it later,and I hoped she understood why I kept quiet because I still felt guilty for lying in bed with the enemy. Shane would forever be my foe.
“I’m so sorry about what happened to your baby girl.” We were both crying now, and even Cassie had tears forming in her eyes as she gently rubbed my back. I needed all the comfort I could get. I was not okay after hearing this.
“I’m sorry, too,” the woman said sadly. “That nasty bitch is who will feel sorry if I ever find his ass. I’ll take matters into my own hands. I promise he won’t ever be able to run away again after I’m done with him.”
I got dizzy from nodding so hard in agreement with what she said.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you this when I showed up at your apartment, but this has been bothering me since. I want to apologize to you for messing with his ass, knowing he had a lady at home. I think what he did to my baby must be my karma.” She cried heavily, catching the attention of a few people who were nearby.
I moved closer and hugged her.
“It’s okay. Don’t blame yourself for anything that happened. We live and we learn.”
