13. Theresa
Seeing Maleek getting out of the unknown truck was one thing, but seeing who was behind the glass was another. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening.
I stopped breathing.
Out of all the people for Maleek to get caught up with, it had to be that one. That wasn’t a coincidence. Maleek doesn’t know what he’s been inviting in. I couldn’t tell him either.
“Lord, what am I going to do?”
I grabbed my chest as I watched the truck disappear into the night, praying that it would crash and burn, but I knew it wouldn’t. Not at my expense.
Maleek went into the house, and I followed. He slammed the door and turned his music up loud, shaking the house. I would’ve told him to turn that mess down but didn’t have the energy.
I went to my room and closed my door.
For years I convinced myself that keeping the boys apart would do more good than harm, but it did the opposite. Maleek followed in his brother’s footsteps every day. The fighting. The lashing out. Everything attached to the Kirkland gene.
I’d spent all these years covering Maleek and he still found his way back to Courtland.
I dropped my head.
Maybe that’s where I’d gone wrong.
I couldn’t stop what the Lord had ordained. They have the same blood in their veins. Courtland did any and everything for those he loved. He prides himself on that. And although we’re at odds, I appreciated that he gave that love and protection to his little brother.
Maleek had searched the auditorium tonight for Courtland.
I watched the disappointment on his face in every inch as he noticed another empty seat that wasn’t filled by his brother’s presence.
He stopped looking when his eyes landed on that one spot.
The lonely seat stationed in the dark, out of the lights, in the right back corner where Courtland’s sat for years. Ever since Maleek started high school.
I noticed.
Every time.
That’s why it crushes me seeing them together. I knew the effort they put in. I had my reasons. They might not understand; honestly, they may never understand, even if they find out the truth.
Maleek expected him to be there because Courtland had given him a reason to.
But tonight, without his presence, something or someone else had to fill that void.
I knew that hurt Maleek. I had to leave to go to work, but halfway through the drive, I ended up calling in and went home to surprise Maleek.
I was going to take us out to eat. There was a plan.
He was too eager to do his own thing. Was he starting to be full of anger?
My stomach turned thinking about it.
I just hated that it had to be with that person.
Picking up my phone from the nightstand, I slowly went through my few contacts when I hovered my thumb over the name. I’ve always had his number but never used it. Whenever I see it, I try not to look; it’s always easier that way.
“Yo’,” he answered, and my breath was caught inside my chest.
I thought about hanging up, but I was stuck sitting still.
“Hello,” he called out.
I snapped back into reality.
“Courtland,” I called his name.
“Yeah.”
I let out a heavy exhale.
I needed help and didn’t know where else to turn.
“It’s me.” I paused. “Mama.”
“I know.”