Chapter Fourteen

Angela
Waking up next to him felt good and the early morning sex wasn't bad either. He lay next to me with his head on his hand and a question on his face.
"What?"
"I still can't believe you were in prison."
"That was the longest three years of my life but it's an experience I'll never forget."
Lynn, my cellmate she was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Rumor was she murdered her husband while he was sleep. He too was an abuser but since she never told anyone filed a police report or had any hospital records the jury didn't believe it was self defense. She took me under her wing. No homo thing she just had a daughter my age and she looked out for me. Nobody messed with Lynn and since I was her cellmate nobody messed with me. I seen her beat a female unconscious there was blood everywhere I thought for sure she was dead. She schooled me on a lot of things and she made sure I was treated right. At a glance she looked like any other inmate with all the cuts and bruises on her face but when you really look at her you could tell she was very attractive in her younger days. She didn't have visits she rarely got mail but when she did she read the name of the sender then rip it up. This went on for a long time until one day I finally decided to ask.
"Why do you do that?"
"It's from my daughter."
"Don't you want to read it?"
"I can't then I'd miss home too much and I can't think about a place I'd never be again."
"But what if it's something important."
"As long as I get a letter every once an a while from her I know she's alright."
"Do you mind if I read it."
She looked at me then threw the pieces on my bunk.
"If you can put it together help yourself," she said then walked out.

Hi Ma,
Just wanted to let you know Asia had her first birthday on Saturday. Grandma insisted on having a party for her. She is getting so big. Every body says how much she looks like you. I know you don't like to write but I just want you to know I love you and I'm doing fine. Maybe I could come and visit you some time so you can meet your granddaughter. I really miss you mom and I know what you did you did for me and I thank you. I'll send pics soon.

Kylie

"I know what you did you did for me? So that's why they didn't find any evidence of abuse on Lynn's body he didn't abuse her he abused her daughter." I said aloud.
"Is that what you think happened?"
She startled me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in here."
"So you think I killed that bastard for abusing my daughter?"
I sat not saying a word.
"I wanted to but baby he was already dead when I came home."
"Kylie?"
"My baby was only thirteen."
Before I could ask her why she took the rap for her daughter I already knew the answer. She's a mother and a mother is going to protect her child.
"She tried to tell me what he was doing to her but I was too busy to listen, with work and my own issues I was just too busy," her voice cracked as she bit her top lip trying not to cry.
"Did you know you have a granddaughter? Her name is Asia she turned a year on Saturday." She broke down.
That was the first and last time I saw her cry.
"Don't let this experience make you bitter you take it and learn from it. When you get out recognize the signs so you don't fall for the same type of nicca. You deserve better than the Reggie's of this world and don't let nobody tell you different. You take pride in who you are as a woman. You did what you did that's in the past now move on baby. Be that queen your mama raised."
Those were the last words she spoke to me and I'll never forget them. I asked her could I write her but of course she said no. I did give her my parents' address just in case she changed her mind but I never heard from her.
"You were lucky to have met her," Anthony told me.
"I know."
"Are you hungry," he asked trying to lighten the mood.
"A little," I said still tired from our extravaganza.
Anthony cooked while I showered. I heard my door open while I was brushing my teeth.
It was Meech all smiles.
"Why is Anthony in my kitchen half naked cooking," she whispered.
I smiled.
"You ho, but I have to say I taught you well."
We laughed.
"It's ready," he announced in the midst of our laughter.
"Oh good morning Meech, I didn't know you were here," he reached for his shirt on the floor. "It's enough if you want some too."
Me and Meech looked at each other and bust out laughing again.
"You guys are bad," he walked out smiling and shaking his head.
He made our plates and set the table.
"Are you sure you don't want to eat it's plenty," he asked Meech again as we walked to the kitchen.
"Naw you two love birds do your thing."

"My Mom is having a barbecue at the house and I want to you to come."
I wanted to go but I felt uncomfortable about what happened the last time I was there.
"I don't know."
"I promise I won't get into any fights."
We got there around three. Everyone was laughing talking loud and having a good time. I was introduced to new faces and recognized some familiar ones from before.
"You guys go make a plate the foods in the back." Nancy said giving her son the eye I assume for not coming home last night.
"Come on Nicca!!!" I heard someone yell from outside.
There was a domino game and a card game going on.
The food looked so good but I didn't really have an appetite after the breakfast Anthony cooked this morning so I just grabbed a burger. He was piling it on though. For a brother to be so skinny he sure can eat.
"That's all you gon eat?" one of his uncles asked me.
"Yeah."
"That's it baby you watch that lovely figure." he said giving me an up and down look.
"That's for me to do Unc," Ant said.
"I hear that," he said walking away with his tall can of beer in hand singing some song from the seventies.
The backyard was full so I had to sit on Anthony's lap while we ate. That potato salad on his plate was looking good so while he talked I snuck a fork full.
"I know you didn't just eat out of my plate. You better be glad I love you."
We shared a laugh.
"Anthony!"
I turned to see Rissy at the screen door.
"I need to holla at you for a minute," she came toward us.
"I'm eating Riss, what's up."
"Whats up is I need to talk to you."
"I'm here Riss, talk."
"I just got off the phone with Maya you know your daughter's mother and she told me your daughter my neice was looking for you to come see her last night."
I felt so bad I didn't know he was suppose to see his daughter last night. Me and Rissy already didn't quite hit if off for whatever reason so I knew she was going to blame me.
"I talked to my daughter your niece this morning and she's okay."
"I'm just saying you shouldn't let nobody come between you and your daughter," she put emphasis on the word nobody.
Wow I thought to myself so now I'm nobody.
"Ant Dog!!!"
"My nig!!!" Anthony screamed back when he saw the guy. Grady and Jared were right behind him.
Anthony stood up and gave him a quick embrace then introduced us.
"This is my girl Angela, Ang this is my boy Pete."
Pete didn't know how glad I was he came when he did. I don't think I could have taken Rissy any longer without saying anything. Oh but Ant was surely going to hear my mouth when he took me home.