SEVENTEEN

Coco tossed and turned all night. Every sound woke her and she heard the dealers and fiends all night long. On Sunday, she awoke up early and despite being in a state of sleep deprivation, she was committed to visiting her mother as planned. Coco quickly showered, dressed and knocked on Miss Katie’s door. A few moments later, Miss Katie answered the door in her night-clothes.

“Come in, Coco. You’re ready to go? Well, use the telephone. Lemme run to the bathroom. I left my bath running,” Miss Katie said and hurried off leaving Coco to use the phone. She returned a few minutes later. “Come fix yourself some hot chocolate to drink before you go,” she offered.

“I’m alright, Miss Katie.”

“Coco, first thing in the morning, you must have something warm or you’ll wind up with a stomach ache.”

“I really must go but I’ll follow your advice. I can’t really stay too long though,” Coco said thinking of Miss Katie’s knack for telling tall tales.

She followed the old lady into the kitchen and saw the Roshawn lying in the living room again. Miss Katie already had the hot chocolate brewed.

The hot liquid burned her lips and tongue as Coco attempted to gulp it down. She resorted to sipping while she blew on it. She was quickly out the apartment. “I’ll see you later, Miss Katie.”

“All right, be safe out there. Say hello to your mommy and give her this for me, you hear?” Miss Katie said and handed Coco a Macy’s shopping bag. “Just a few things I think she might need.” She turned to look at the time but Coco was already saying goodbye.

“See ya.” With headphones covering her ears, Coco was running out the door and down the stairs.

These kids nowadays, they can move so fast, Miss Katie thought as she waved at Coco from the window. “Be safe, Coco.”