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THURSDAY
With the help of Nina’s sleeping pill, Deja had a decent night’s sleep. But now her head felt heavy. Eyes half open, she joined Miles in the kitchen, where he ate a bowl of Fruit Loops. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Getting ready for school. We’re going on a field trip to the fire station, ’member? I don’t want to be late.” Miles slurped the milk in his bowl.
Deja vaguely recalled signing a permission slip a few days ago. “Oh, right. That’ll be fun.”
“Yeah. School’s good now.” Miles had a large smile.
Deja lifted his chin, looking him in the eye. “I’m really glad. No one gets a free pass to treat you bad, Miles. No one. Always remember that. Right?”
“Yeah.” Miles carried his bowl to the sink.
“Since you’re up so early, why don’t you turn on cartoons while I get ready?”
“Okay. But hurry up.”
Deja headed to the bathroom, relieved. She washed her face, trying to rid herself of the lethargy, then applied makeup. No wonder Nina was always so tired with the medication she had to take. In spite of the effect of the sleeping pill, every morning Deja felt a sense of accomplishment getting ready to go to work at an office, and today was no different.
As a kid, Deja had grown accustomed to her mom getting drunk then calling her stupid and saying she’d never amount to anything. Eventually, Deja had grown to believe it. Forgoing homework and studying, she made Cs and Ds, which was acceptable at her school since most students had an equal chance of either graduating or ending up in prison.
“Mom, I said hurry,” Miles called through the door.
Deja opened it. “I’m hurrying.” She brushed past him and to her room, taking extra time picking an outfit since she’d be seeing her mom at lunch.
Her phone rang, and Nina’s number showed up. “Morning, Nina. You’re up early.”
“I never went to bed. Someone tried to run me over last night.”
“What happened?”
“I was walking to the store late last night, and the same car from the other day charged toward me down my street.”
“Nina, are you sure the car tried to hit you?”
“I’m not making this up. Someone’s after me. Do you think someone knows I killed Kevin? Or could whoever you talked to about removing the body be trying to threaten me?”
Deja sat on her bed. “No, I don’t think so. The only person I’ve spoken to about removing Kevin’s body knows nothing about you. I didn’t give him a single identifying detail, so I don’t know how this could be linked at all.”
“Nothing makes sense anymore. I’m meeting with my dad this morning to ask for the money. While I was up all night, I figured out what to say. If he gives me the money, I need you to get it to your person immediately. I can’t go any longer with Kevin’s dead body in the park. Rodney wants me to stop seeing you as much, so please just lie low, and I’ll contact you to give you the money.”
“Rodney said the same thing to me, but he’s acting ridiculous.”
“I don’t want to upset him further, so please, give him space. The main thing is getting the money to the guy.”
“Yes, once I have the money, I’ll make sure it’s taken care of right away. I need to get Miles to school, but take care of yourself. I’ll wait for your call.”
Deja hung up, more concerned about Nina than she’d been before. She was obviously paranoid and growing delusional if she thought someone had attempted to run her over. Though Nina’s dad would definitely give her the money, it wouldn’t prevent her from having a relapse. Her phone rang again with Thompson’s number. She’d given him her cell number to prevent Raquel from growing suspicious of their relationship, but she hadn’t intended for him to call her at seven thirty in the morning. She silenced the call, not having the time or patience to deal with him.
Deja took no pride in her behavior or actions, but she’d always had to survive at all costs, and now was no different. She’d learned from Kevin that she couldn’t depend on anyone else. Initially, she’d trusted him, only for him to turn on her and force her to work on the streets.
Even after the first few months, he’d made her feel appreciated. “It’s what needs to be done, Deja,” he would say. “It’s tough out here, and in order for me to provide for you and Miles, you need to do this. I provide for you both, don’t I?”
Deja nodded. “Yeah.” He had convinced her that she wouldn’t have been able to do it on her own.
“And where would you be if I didn’t?”
“I don’t know.” Deja couldn’t imagine raising her son in a shelter. At least with Kevin, she had a roof over her head.
“We all need to work together and save up, then I’ll get my business going, and we’ll all be legit.”
Kevin always talked about his business—his grand idea to create a clothing line. He would order items that they would sell at swap meets, convinced some famous rapper would discover him, and he’d become rich. Deja didn’t know how those things worked, but she’d believed in his vision. She’d had to believe in it because she had nothing else to fall back on, no other future to look forward to.
But regardless of all the money Kevin pumped into his dream, and all the clothes he sold, and the independent fashion shows that featured him, his grand idea literally never materialized. After a while, Kevin grew disillusioned and bitter. Deja had realized she had to have a plan, her own plan.
She’d started working part time for catering companies as a server. It didn’t pay nearly what working the streets did, but it was legit, and without Kevin knowing, she had started to put her plan into action: get experience, get some money, and get the hell out of there.
When she’d gotten the call that the low-income apartment she’d been waiting for finally had space, she hadn’t saved up enough money yet. But she knew she had to take the opportunity and get away from Kevin. After all, Miles grew older every day, and she wouldn’t continue making money in the streets and risk him somehow finding out. So she’d stolen the money from Kevin and disappeared.
That decision had caught up to her, and she was paying it for it in ways she’d never imagined. Deja dressed in a pantsuit she seldom wore. It would look professional for her meeting with her mom. She’d been thinking more and more about a new plan to leave San Jose. But she had to make sure she did everything correctly this time. Though it was tempting to take the five thousand dollars Thompson had given her and just leave, that would only cause more problems in the long run. No, she’d have to make sure Nina got the full fifty thousand dollars and Kevin was taken care of for good this time. She wouldn’t risk making another mistake.
Deja anticipated that it was going to be hard for Miles to move away from his friends and the Taylors, but the situation had gotten too hot, and there was no way they could stay. With Nina starting to unravel mentally and Rodney searching for answers, it was only a matter of time until everything blew up. Deja just needed to make sure she and Miles were far removed when that occurred.
“Mom, you ready yet?” Miles called through the door.
After opening the door, Deja hugged Miles tight. “I’m ready. Let’s get going.”
Deja had a long day ahead of her, a lot to do, and she hoped nothing else unexpected would get in her way.