Page 70 of When a Soul Cries

“Who told you to do nothing? I said don’t go charging into that woman’s life like Captain Save-a-Hoe because you got money now.”

“Mama.”

“You heard me.”

I laughed, but she kept going.

“There’s a difference between helping somebody and making them feel helpless, Rome. Sol been surviving without you. Remember that. If you offer that girl something, let her decide whether she wants it. Don’t start throwing money at every problem she got just because you can.”

That made me think about the car.

The damn thing had already been giving her problems. Now she had an eviction hanging over her head too.

Apartment. Car. Work. A child.

How many things could go wrong at once before somebody finally cracked?

The answer came back in Sol’s voice.

I’m so fucking tired.

“I could get her car handled,” I said before I could stop myself. “At least have somebody look at it.”

“And did she ask you to?”

“No.”

“Then sit your ass down.”

I laughed. “Damn, Ma.”

“I’m serious. Offer. Don’t take over. There is a difference.”

“I know.”

“No, you hearing me. I need you to understand me.”

I shook my head.

Then Mama hit me with the part I hadn’t really considered.

“And while your ass sitting there thinking about Sol, remember there’s a baby involved.”

My smile faded.

“I know she has a daughter.”

“No. You know she has one. That ain’t what I said.”

I got quiet.

Mama sucked her teeth. “See? That silence right there.”

“What you want me to say?”

“I want you to think. If all you trying to do is help Sol get through a hard time, then help her if she lets you and keep it moving. But if you thinking about pursuing that girl for real, you better understand you ain’t just pursuing Sol.”

I stared at my desk.