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Claire was giving it back just as good as she took it. But she hated the tension and she hated living with Charlie. There wasn’t anywhere for her to go for privacy because she slept in the living room and it was where Charlie entertained herself and her guests.
Charlie laughed and shot back, “You forget to take your medication, wit’ ya crazy ass?”
Claire was fed up with bickering back and forth with Charlie. She got up from the couch and marched into the bathroom for two reasons—for some privacy and to make a phone call.
Claire planted herself on the toilet and pulled out her cell phone. It was a call she didn’t want to make, but she decided to swallow her pride and reach out anyway. She dialed Bacardi’s number and felt nervousness swimming around in her belly.
The phone rang and Claire waited with bottomless apprehension. Finally, her mother answered.
“Who this?” Bacardi barked into the phone.
“Bacardi, it’s me, Claire.”
“Why the fuck are you calling?”
“I just—I just wanna come back home. Please. I don’t wanna stay here with Charlie anymore,” she pleaded.
“Oh, so the grass ain’t greener, huh?” Bacardi responded with contempt in her voice.
Claire was in tears as she spoke to her mother. “No. I wanna come back home. I don’t wanna live with Charlie anymore. She’s too much.”
“Bitch, you should have thought about that when you put your hands on me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry ain’t enough, and
hell no, Claire. You made your choice to side wit’ that bitch, now fuckin’ deal wit’ it.”
“But Mama—”
“Don’t fuckin’ Mama me now, Claire. It’s too fuckin’ late. And not after you kept that secret from me on what Charlie did to Chanel. You must be out ya mind to think you have the right to come an’ move back in wit’ me!” Bacardi ranted.
“I’m sorry!”
“Fuck your apology. I don’t fuckin’ accept it!” she spat. “And besides, both y’all fuckin’ rooms are already rented out and I’m gettin’ good money for them. Don’t call me no fuckin’ more!”
Bacardi hung up on her.
Claire sat there crushed. She felt stuck now. Her mother was a ruthless and unforgiving bitch. Her tears continued to fall. It felt like the walls were collapsing in on her. She was out of choices, and she would have to deal with Charlie’s bullshit until something better came along. But she didn’t foresee anything better coming along. It felt like she was living in hell on earth.
***
The past two days felt like paradise for Claire. Charlie hadn’t been home, and Claire was able to read, study, and relax. Her sister had up and disappeared out of the blue without saying a word to her.
Claire wasn’t complaining. She needed the solitude. It was therapeutic for her. For once, it felt like she lived alone, and she was loving it. But that feeling would soon become short-lived.
On the third day of Charlie’s sudden absence, Claire heard a heavy knock at the door. It ricocheted through the apartment and disturbed Claire from her reading. Whoever it was seemed very impatient.
Claire got up from her chair and went to see who it was. She looked through the peephole and recognized the person knocking. It was Ahbou.
“Charlie’s not here,” she said to him through the door.
“Where is she, then?” he asked with irritation.
“I don’t know.”
“I think you do!”
