Page 131 of When a Soul Cries

My heart was pounding hard enough to hurt.

“What happened after?”

Sol wiped beneath both eyes.

“I told my aunt.”

I already knew.

I could hear it in her voice.

“She didn’t believe you.”

Sol shook her head.

“She slapped me.”

I closed my eyes.

Once.

Opened them.

“She said I wanted him. Said I was jealous. Said I was trying to ruin her relationship.”

My teeth pressed together so hard my jaw hurt.

“And she put me out.”

“How old were you?”

“Twenty-two.”

I stared at her.

“You had somewhere to go?”

“No.”

The answer came without hesitation.

“I had thirty-seven dollars and a suitcase.”

I rubbed both hands over my face.

“Jesus Christ, Sol.”

“Zari helped me.”

She told me the rest slowly.

How she and Zari had met online.

How their friendship became something closer to sisterhood.

How Zari coordinated everything when Sol finally needed to get out.

The bus.