Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Jruelle.
“Building D.” I mumbled to myself, leaning into the steering wheel a little more to make sure I was in the right place. Once I confirmed that I was, I pulled into an empty spot then parked before shutting the engine off.
I gathered all of my things from the passenger seat then got out.
Magnolia Trace always had some crazy behavior going on, so I double checked to make sure I had my mace and taser on standby—just in case I needed it—before I walked into the building, taking the steps to the second floor where the designated door was on my right.
After knocking, I stepped back a little and waited for someone to answer. Seconds later the door creaked open revealing a tired looking woman in her late thirties. She was dressed in a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Behind her, the sounds of cartoons played faintly in the front room.
“Hi, are you Ms. Franks?” I asked, and she nodded her confirmation. “I’m Jruelle O’Neil with Child and Family Services. We scheduled a home visit for today—just a routine follow up to check on little Carson.”
“Yeah, come in,” she stepped back, pulling the door open more. “Excuse the mess. He’s been home all day terrorizing.”
I stepped inside, discreetly scanning the space to check the condition of the home without making it obvious.
There were toys and a few other things out of place as she stated—dishes in the sink, pillows and blankets in the middle of the floor that the baby was probably lying on while watching T.V.
since they were right in front of it, but nothing to deem it unfit.
“No worries at all.” I smiled. “I’m not here to judge anyone’s housekeeping. Is Carson around?”
She nodded then called for him. He came barreling down the hall seconds later, running straight to his mother, hiding behind her legs.
“Hi, Carson.” I offered him a polite smile, slowly lowering myself to his height. “I’m Ms. O’Neil.”
“Like Shaq?” His thick, bushy brows shot up.
I chuckled and nodded. “Sort of, but my name is spelled a little differently.”
“Oh.” He cast his gaze down for a second, then he asked, “do you play basketball like him?”
I giggled as I shook my head. “I don’t. I work with children and families. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to come say hi to you and your mommy. Can I sit with you for a minute?”
He looked up to his mother as if he were asking her for permission. She gave him an assuring nod then he slowly peeled himself from her legs before walking over to climb up onto the couch. I followed and took a seat next to him.
“Who do you have there?” I pointed to the stuffed animal that was tucked underneath his arm wearing an Aces jersey.
“A5.” He held the bear out. “My mommy took me to get him when I was feeling better. I named him after my favorite player.”
I reached for my bag that was leaning against the couch next to my legs. “Perfect. I brought a friend for A5.” I pulled the plastic dinosaur from my bag. “This is Rex.”
He took the dinosaur from me then got down on the floor, onto his pallet in front of the T.V. and began to play with them both. Ms. Franks was over by the counter looking on with a small smile on her face.
“How’s he been eating? Is he sleeping okay?”
There were obvious food stains on his shirt, but the questions were regulated, so I had to ask.
“Pretty normal,” she answered. “He’s picky with food…”
“Which most kids are.” I laughed.
“Right.” She chuckled. “But he sleeps through most nights. He hasn’t been feeling good, so he was a little up and down.”
“Any doctor’s appointments since your last visit?”
The school called originally making claims that there may be neglect in the home. She’d seen another social worker then, but Judy was now out on vacation, so I was filling in for her.
She shook her head. “He had a little cold last week, but we treated it at home. He seems to be fine now.”
I jotted down some quick notes while taking glances at Carson, who appeared to be having the time of his life with the bear and dinosaur.
“Carson, do you like school?” I leaned in and asked. He nodded. “What’s your favorite part of the day.”
“Recess!” he shouted, lifting his little arms in the air.
I smiled. “That was mine too. When I was your age, I lived for the swings.”
He smiled shyly, then looked down at the toys in his hands. I gave his little body a quick onceover—noticing no visible bruises or marks on his skin. I took a few more notes before I put my things away.
“Okay, buddy, I just wanted to check in and see that everything was okay with you, and make sure you’re safe and happy.”
He gave me a nod, so I gathered my things and stood then made my way over to his mother. She gave me a quick tour of the rest of the house before walking me to the door.
“I appreciate you for letting me in. I noted that he looks good, seems emotionally stable, and that the home is adequate. If anything changes, or you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”
She nodded. “I will. And thank you for being polite and not judging me. I know you have a job to do, but not everyone is as friendly as you.”
“I get it. Trust me.” I shook my head thinking about how rude some of my colleagues could be.
To me, it was frustrating enough just to be dealing with DCFS when you were doing your best to parent your children, but a lot of these people were on power trips.
I didn’t believe in kicking people when they were down.
There were absolutely some horrible people in this world, and more than a little that didn’t deserve to be parents, but everyone wasn’t like that.
“Ms. O’Neil, will you be back?” Carson ran over and asked.
“I might.” I smiled. “But only to check in and say hi. You take care of Rex for me, okay?”
He gave me a bright smile as he nodded. “I will.”
I slipped out of the door after giving them both a quick wave. I hustled to the car and quickly locked the doors before submitting the notes that I’d taken. Once I was done, I pulled out and made my way back to the office.
I was glad that I had nothing else to do after that, so I packed my things and prepared to head out after ordering a uRide home.
On the way out I noticed Bonita and her little crew huddled by the door.
I strolled right past them, not paying them any mind.
I didn’t have many people that I talked to at the office, but the few I did had let me know I was the topic of conversation the entire time I was out of work.
I didn’t care though because all those hoes knew better than to say anything to me.
I pushed through the double doors to exit the building prepared to wait for my ride, but when I got out there I noticed Adonis waiting in front of his Wrangler with a bouquet of roses in his arm. I smiled then glanced around before walking toward him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Figured I’d come take you to dinner,” he smirked, handing me the roses.
I grinned, accepting the flowers and giving them a quick sniff. “These are beautiful. Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he lifted from his spot where he was leaning against the car to pull me into a hug. He smelled so good I could have fainted. “Come on.”
He swiftly captured my hand and walked me the short distance to his passenger door before pulling it open with his free hand.
“I ordered a ride.”
“Cancel it.” He assisted me in hopping into the truck then buckled my seatbelt.
After he shut the door, he rounded the back of the car then got into the driver’s seat.
“Got a taste for anything specific?” he asked once he pulled away.
I shook my head. “Not really. I usually use my time in the shower to figure out what I want after work.”
“Then I’ll pick today, and you got the next time.”
“I have on work clothes, Adonis. I need to shower and change into something more presentable.”
“Naw, you look good.” He glanced my way and smirked. “I never seen work pants look so fucking good for real.”
I blushed and turned away. “You don’t listen.”
“I ain’t gon’ take you to the crib and let you talk us both out of the date you owe me.”
“I’m not.” I chuckled, then asked, “can we go to Kraving? I don’t know what I want yet, but I know they have something there that I’d like.”
Kraving was an outside food court with several restaurants. It was located downtown and right next to Diamond Field, so it was always busy. We were going pretty early in the evening, so I was hoping that it wasn’t too crowded.
The twenty-minute ride across town was filled with Adonis asking questions about my trip. I filled him in on everything that I did, and he all but invited himself over for when I made the Caribbean food at my parents.
Kraving wasn’t packed when we made it, so we thankfully were able to get one of the tables with an umbrella and a large industrial fan nearby because it was a little warm outside.
“Aight, I’ll go grab the food. What you want?” Adonis asked once we were seated at our table.
“Maine Attraction.” I answered quickly. As soon as I stepped in and smelled seafood, I knew that was what I wanted. “A lobster BLT with the potato crisp.”
“Drink?”
“Hm, since it was my first day back in the office, I think I should have a drink. Maybe a flight from Juicebox.”
“Aight, I’m gon’ order your drinks first then I’ll get the food,” he said before excusing himself from the table.
When he walked away, I pulled my phone out. I was going to text my sister, but I noticed that she’d already texted me.
Geri: Kraving? Without me? The betrayal.
I smiled at her message because she was always stalking my location.
Me: If you don’t mind being a third wheel, come on.
Geri: Third wheeeel? You’re on a date?
Me: I’m having dinner with a friend Gerica.
Geri: Would that friend happen to be the recipe for disaster?
Me: Elaborate.
Geri: Let’s see… tall, chestnut brown, fine as hell.
Geri: The kind of fine that makes a woman forget her morals and a panty dropping smile that looks like it comes with trouble.