Chapter Nine

Angela
We sat food untouched in silence.
"Wow," he finally said.
"I need you to know that's not who I am. I made a mistake. I thought that was my only way out."
"Wow," he said again.
"Can you please say something besides 'wow'."
"I really don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting to hear this."
He pushed his chair back from the table. I knew what was coming next.
"Look Ang, I have a lot to think about right now I'll call you later."
I walked him to the door. He hesitated then kissed me on my cheek.
My feelings were hurt.
I texted Meech.
Where u @
mikes wassup
I told him
And?
I guess it wasn't real he left...


Anthony
I couldn't concentrate worth shxt at rehearsal thinking about what Angie told me.
"Come on Ant man, we've did these steps a million times what's wrong with you?" Grady fussed.
"I just got a lot on my mind."
"Well we got to be ready for Detroit."
"I know."
I tried to put it out of my mind like it didn't happen but I couldn't and it was showing in my performance. I was forgetting steps, going in the wrong direction, forgetting the words to the songs.
"Hold up," JR finally said. "Ant man what's up? Your mind is obviously somewhere else."
I didn't know if I should tell my brothers but I had to tell somebody. I picked up my water bottle and took a swig.
"Angie was in prison."
"What!" Jake and Papa said in unison.
"What the fuk!" JR said.
"Angie? Little petite Angie? Your girl Angie?" Grady asked.
I shook my head yes.
"You want to know what for?" I asked trying to sound like it didn't bother the shxt out of me.
"What?" they asked.
"Attempted murder."
I took another drink of water trying to wash those words from my mouth.
I told them the story of what she'd told me.
"So what are you going to do? Are you going to stay with her?" Papa asked.
"I don't know what to do."
"If he cherish his life he better stay with her," Grady joked.
I wasn't in the mood for jokes. I seriously needed to know what I should do.
"Come on man this is serious."
"I'm sorry," he said.
"How do you feel about her? I mean do you care about her enough to look past this?" Jake asked.
"I care about her a lot but damn attempted murder that's hard to swallow."
"Look we leave tomorrow, we'll be gone a few weeks, just call her when we get back, that way you have more time to think about it," Grady told me.
Yeah I just need time to think things through.
"Thanks guys I feel a whole lot better that's off my chest but let's keep this between us alright."
They agreed and we got back to rehearsing.


Angela
I was sick to my stomach. I'd been hugging the toilet all morning.
"Are you going to work?" Meech asked.
"I don't think I can."
"Have you told him?"
I felt nauseous again. I ran back to the bathroom.
After I wash my face and brush my teeth I answered her question.
"I called his mom and she said they were in Detroit and didn't know when they'd be back."
"You called his mom? Why didn't you call him?"
"I did. Twice. He didn't answer."
She had an apologetic look on her face.
"Don't look at me like that. I just know what I got to do."
"No Angie."
"Look he doesn't want to be with me so I'm not having his baby."