Eric’s been blowing up my cell since I left with K. Leaving message after message. Leaving text messages back to back every few minutes. So, as I walk into the house of course I already know Mark’s going to ask me all kinds of questions on what happened to my face and I’m honestly already embarrassed about last night and this bruise is just another thing that makes matters worse.
Mark asked Malik to keep an eye on Pascha and to not go out into the street unless either one of us were out there with them. He walked into the house and sat in Mr. Townsend’s big black leather reclining chair. I sat across from him on a matching sofa ashamed trying to not let him get a good look at the bruised side of my face.
“What the hell happened Val?”
“Nothing!”
“Nothing huh? I’ve known yo high yellow ass almost my whole life and I ain’t never seen yo face like this Val. What happened?”
“Nothing! I mean, it was an accident.”
“An accident my ass. What happened?”
“He grabbed me by the arm, I snatched my arm from him and accidently hit him in the face. So…”
Before I could finish Mark finished my sentence.
“So, he hit you back claiming you hit him first, Huh?”
I nodded in shame.
“You know what Val? I try my best to stay out yo business cause that’s who you chose. You should think about if this is what you really want for yo self in the long run. You don’t have to be stuck in something you don’t want to be in. You got family, even if it ain’t what or how we would want it to be. You still got family. We all got room for you and Pascha.”
“I know. After this morning I was thinking of asking LaShawn if we could stay with her for a little while. I just told Lydia I needed the house, so she has until the first of the year to find her a new spot.”
“And how did that go?”
“She was cool about it. I’m sure she doesn’t want me to tell Edgar about her and his best friend Hectar.”
“Look, I’ll talk to pops. I’m pretty sure you can stay here until you’re ready to move back into yo house. He ain’t never here anyway. He spends most nights at Michelle’s. He only holding on to the house for me. He knows once Malik graduate high school and go off to college, I’m probably gon relocate back down this way.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Val! Come on man. You know, if nobody else got you, I do. Plus, LaShawn and pop’s would kill my ass if I didn’t let you know you’re always welcome to stay. And my door is always open for you where I’m at if you just want to get away for a while.”
“Thanks!”
I got another text from Eric while I sat and talked to Mark. It read
“I’m outside! I knew yo ass just ran over here to see that Mutha Fucka. Bring yo ass out here before I come knock on that damn door.”
I looked at Mark.
“He’s outside.”
“Who?”
“Eric.”
Mark got up and made his way to the front door then opened it and walked outside. I followed him, and sure enough Eric was double parked beside my truck just slightly ahead to give him a good view of the front door with his window down watching us walk down to the sidewalk.