Page 43 of Love & Streetball

Before I could even reply, Slim began to cry louder and harder. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. I guess Vani wasn’t selfish after all. He saved Slim’s life.

Birds chirping woke me up the next morning. I groaned. The way I slept, my back hurt and my right was arm sore. When my eyes popped open, I realized I was still inside Slim’s bedroom.

She was curled into my side, her head on my chest, her breathing shallow. My arms was numb from being her pillow all night, the other was draped protectively over her. The morning light filtered through the sheet she had pinned up over her window. The illuminated the tear tracks that stained her cheeks. Slim looked so…broken.

My phone had died last night and I didn’t bother asking Slim for her charger or grabbing mine from my car…if it was still out there. My parents were probably losing their minds, but my main focus right now was—her.

Carefully, I tried to shift my numb arm, and Slim’s eyes fluttered open. They were red, swollen, and empty. For a second, she just stared up at me. Our lips weren’t too far away from each other and I swallowed because the urge to kiss her so I could make everything right was real loud.

Slim jumped back. She sat up and put distance between us. Rubbing her eyes, she groaned.

“It wasn’t a dream, was it?” she asked quietly.

I swallowed. “I wish it was.”

Slim didn’t say anything else. She just buried her face into her hands, her body started to tremble, but before I could reach for her she muffled, “I don’t want to be touched.”

Respecting her wishes, I got off her bed, and located her charger. I placed my phone on it and told her I was going to find the rest room. Slim didn’t bother to point me to it which was expected. Ms. Grant was walking to Slim’s room when I stepped out.

“Good morning, Kane. Leaving?”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I was headed to the bathroom.”

“Oh, okay. It’s the door to the left. Hos she doing this morning?” she asked. “I don’t think I slept a wink last night.”

“She cried a lot. She’s upset now,” I whispered.

Ms. Grant sighed. “This was what I was trying to protect her from.”

I nodded. Inside I was screaming “Me too!”

“There’s an extra toothbrush if you need it in the cabinet. I’ll go in and talk to Scottie, then I’ll make us all breakfast.”

I turned, and sauntered to the bathroom. My bladder was full.

The bathroom was small, and clean. I flushed when I was finished, and washed my hands. I found the toothbrush, and brushed my teeth, then I splashed cold water on my face. I took my time, giving them time for privacy.

My dress shirt was wrinkle, and sticking to me. I wet my hands again, this time running it through my hair. When I turned the water off, I could hear Ms. Grant’s soft, murmuring voice from Slim’s room, but I couldn’t make out the words.

Maybe five minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom, and trekked back to Slim’s room. Ms. Grant was coming out. She patted my shoulder as she passed me. Slim was right behind her.

“I need to go see Vani’s uncle,” she sniffed.

“I can go with you, but you need to eat something first, Slim. It’s hot outside and…”

“Eat?” she squealed, pivoting. “You think I can eat right now, Kane?”

“You’re going to eat something before you leave this house, Scottie. I don’t even think it’s a good idea for you to go out anyway. What if those guys saw you?” Ms. Grant hollered. “Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Slim began to shake her head. “But I didn’t see them, Kane. I can’t even help the police find his killer. I don’t care about the street code. I want to get Vani justice.”

She started crying again and I pulled her to me.

“It’s okay, Slim. They’re gonna find ‘em.”

13

Ayear later…