Chapter 25
I slid my sunglasses down to shield the auburn, crisp sun from my eyes as I drove toward the Cove. Today, I decided to drive since I had plans that didn’t require an audience. The other day had already been eventful with a bunch of shit I didn’t want to hear. Today was about getting things done.
When I pulled up to my destination, an unintentional snarl came from me. I got out of my car and walked up the walkway. I gave the door two light taps and waited. “Just a moment,” I heard someone say from beyond the door.
Moments later, the door opened, and a lady in a wheelchair greeted me.
“Hmph,” I muttered, then flashed a quick smile as I removed my sunglasses.
“I’m looking for Best Harmon,” I said to the lady.
She wheeled herself back, did a quick spin, and shouted.
“Best! Some snobby bitch is at the door, chile,” she said as her head snapped my way and she rolled her eyes.
When Best came around the corner and saw me, she seemed confused. Although I was more than five years younger than Best, I do remember small things about her from back in the day. “Hi, I’m Mrs.—”
“Laureaux, I know who you are, but I’m not sure why you are at my home,” she said as she came closer.
I waited for her to allow me to come inside, but the way she stood between the door frame let me know I wasn’t invited in. I cleared my throat, “I wanted to meet the woman of the precious girl who adores my son.”
She pushed her glasses up on her face while grinning. “You have children? I wasn’t aware.”
I didn’t know whether she was being truthful or sarcastic, but either way, I didn’t like it.
“I do. I need you to do me a huge favor. I don’t normally have to ask more than once.
Can you tell your daughter that my son is off limits?
She doesn’t know what she’s getting into, and the best option would be to stay away. ”
Best slowly nodded her head. “I can tell when the devil is working.” She scoffed.
“You know, Naheem and Clark’s puppets have always been hard to deal with.
Mrs. Laureaux, the one thing I don’t take lightly about my children, grown or not, is threats.
So, I will not tell my daughter anything because whoever your son is, he should be lucky she even likes him.
He should be smiling from ear to ear that she is in his presence.
My child is the prize. Paige is her own woman, and I can assure you that if, for any reason, she steps into a danger zone with your son, it will be him who regrets it. Now, have a nice day.”
She backed away from the door and closed it in my face.
I sucked my teeth before putting my sunglasses back on and heading to my car.
All the years of keeping situations tamed and under control were slowly falling apart.
I knew that I needed to keep my shit together before everything I had worked hard for started to unravel.