Chapter 20 #2
“Okay.” I nodded, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world to have another woman’s child cater to me as I had and will forever do to him.
“Hello,” I greeted nervously, walking toward the bed and eyeing the clean ground.
“Mona,” Uncle Silas and Auntie Clara held out sadly.
Do they know exactly what happened? I thought, feeling the call should’ve been taken outside.
“Yes,” I answered, spinning on my heels.
“August Senior called, crying about what happened. He said he could only tell us what he remembered. What he said was disturbing. We don’t want to imagine what the rest of the things that happened.
We aren’t calling about what happened or to suggest y’all work through that.
That’s not our place. Our place is to be supportive of whatever you need.
That’s why we are calling. Are you physically and mentally okay?
What can we do to help you transition from his home into your own?
What are your plans now, and how can we incorporate ourselves into that?
” Auntie Clara inquired lovingly as I opened the door.
Stepping into the warm early evening air, I exhaled.
“Physically, I’m okay. Mentally, I’m not, but I’m not depressed or anything.
I’m quiet and focusing on mastering reading and comprehension.
I’ve taken the steps to attend a G.E.D. preparation school.
I start next Monday. I’m actively looking for a job.
I need to be on someone’s clock within two weeks.
I’ll revert to my old ways quickly to ensure we don’t go without anything.
I don’t want to work in a fast-food restaurant or warehouse.
I think I’m a retail woman. A stocker. But that stocking gig might not be the best since I’m pregnant.
The only thing I need help with is housing.
An apartment is fine. I liked the complex Min lived in.
I received the application today, but I don’t have any income statements to provide.
I could’ve created some fake ones, but I didn’t want the chance of them fact-checking it. ”
Eagerly, Auntie Clara said, “I can help you out with that. I’ll put the apartment in my name and have you, Azaria, and August Junior as the tenants.
If the lease is twelve or thirteen months, that’s enough time to establish your credit and have a great rapport with a credit union bank. How does that sound?”
Eyes becoming teary, I nodded. “That sucks but sounds so great. Thank you.”
“I know it sucks. I’m sorry that you couldn’t continue having the marriage you dreamed of having.
I’m sorry you have to file for divorce so quickly into your marriage.
By doing that, you make me very proud of you for knowing your worth and no longer accepting anything from anyone.
Mona, I need you to see a therapist so you aren’t deterred from love.
You have been through enough and deserve to smell the flowers every morning and three times at night,” Auntie Clara confessed as tears slid down my face.
“I agree with my wife. Since she’s putting the apartment in her name, I’ll furnish every room. Whatever you and the children want in y’all’s household, y’all shall have it. Okay?” Uncle Silas breathed evenly.
“Yes, sir.” I nodded, wiping my face and noticing Kingsley’s car turning into the parking lot.
Did August Junior tell her where I was? Hold the fuck up. I didn’t tell him my location, I thought, saying, “Can y’all hold on for me, please?”
“Of course,” they responded as I peeked my head into the room.
Eyeing the duo watching a cartoon movie, I asked, “August Junior, how did you know where we were?”
“X.”
“Did you ask?”
“No, she broadcast it,” he answered as I gritted my teeth and slid my head out of the door.
“Uncle Silas and Auntie Clara, may I call y’all back?” I questioned as Kingsley parked beside her younger cousin’s truck.
“Of course,” they replied before we ended our call on a loving note.
When Kingsley stepped out of her car, glowing and softly smiling, I asked, “What brings you by?”
“To give you this wad of cash and to tell me that you don’t have to isolate yourself from us.
Even though you are going to divorce August Senior, you are still our family.
Call us anytime, no matter what it’s about.
There aren’t any ill feelings for you shooting him.
I promise we aren’t mad or speak ill of your name.
The little that we know what was done to you was wrong,” she offered, walking faster to me while slapping her neck.
By the harsh force on her tattooed neck, I was sure she had murdered a mosquito.
“Mhm,” I said, not having any intentions of being around them ever again.
“How’s Azaria?” she asked, stepping before me and extending the thick wad of cash.
“She’s good. Missing her dad,” I answered, retrieving the money.
“May I come pick her up around ten thirty to take her to him?” she questioned with hope in her eyes.
“Yeah.”
“Okay,” she trailed off, looking at the room door. “Mona, you don’t have to live here. This isn’t a place for you or her. Come stay with us.”
“No, thank you. Is there anything else?” I questioned quickly as my stomach grumbled.
Focusing on me, she slowly shook her head and said, “I know you won’t isolate Azaria and the twins from us, but don’t alienate yourself from us.”
“Too late for that,” I replied, knowing the disconnect had happened way before we left Kentucky.
Pulling me in for a hug, Kingsley whispered, “I’m so sorry he hurt you. Don’t let what he did stop you from loving again. Your love is precious, soul-grabbing, and beautiful. If you need me for anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”
“Mhm.” I chuckled sarcastically, pushing her off me.
Sadness was etched in her brown eyes as she said, “You are already detaching yourself from us. That hurts.”
“So, does being choked while water runs into your nose and mouth while your angry, drunken husband bellows you could’ve had us killed bitch, because of yo’ fuckin’ mouth!
That bitch ain’t shit to play wit’! After this, you gon’ learn to look the other way when she speaks!
I love my son way mo’ than I’ll ever love you.
You shut the fuck up when it come to this street shit where we live!
Matter of fact, get yo’ ass a job … so you can fuckin’ life much better so you won’t be in the street shit, pretendin’ you is that bitch.
Or having your husband stand over you while he’s leaning on the balcony door, belittling you as you are becoming conscious.
Or a whole bunch of other shit that I don’t feel like talking about,” I declared, walking backward to the door.
As her mouth dropped, so did her shoulders. Her eyes became teary as she whispered, “Mona, what August Senior said to you was once said to someone else … by him. There’s a high possibility August Senior didn’t see you, but someone else. Someone who is dead and has been for years.”
“Then, I guess he has a thing for bitches who have issues with reading and comprehension. Lucky fucking me. Kingsley, goodbye,” I rushed to speak, unwilling to give the past anymore of my time.
With urgency, she grabbed my arm, pulled me to her, and whispered into my ear.
Throughout her talk, my palm stung from my sharpened nails.
My arched eyebrows shot upward as her minty breath skated into my nose faster than her words gunning into my ear.
Sadness held me tightly as I shook from the vivid actions of the past. My head was heavy as I closed my eyes and shook my head.
My stomach tightened as an unbearable twisting sensation rocked the little peace that I had left for the day.
When Kingsley stepped from me, I stared at her in disbelief.
Sympathy for August Senior trailed behind me like a curious kid lollygagging in a store filled with toys.
I had no words or thoughts as she wiped her face and said, “I thought you should know that your husband wasn’t himself.
He was that fearful fifteen-year-old, single parent.
I didn’t tell you that to put y’all’s home together.
I told you that so you could know why shit went to Hell between you and August Senior. Have a good night, Mona. I love you.”
I didn’t respond. I watched her walk away, never removing her eyes from me as she walked backward.
August Senior, our marriage never stood a chance with that heavy shit nowhere near your conscience.
I’m glad shit showed its ass. God, You have always been in my corner, making sure I’m unscathed.
I’m hurt and disappointed, no doubt, but thank You for allowing the ugliness to show its face.
It would’ve been hard to leave him. This soon in our marriage doesn’t hurt as opposed to fifteen years of fully believing I had found my great thing in August Abbott Senior, and boom, all Hell breaks loose, I thought, walking into the room to see two greasy-faced kids fixing more food.