I pulled up in the driveway of Dad’s house behind Mark’s van. I parked, got out and headed to the door. Val’s Terrain was parked in front of the house and K’s Explorer parked behind Val, so I knew they were all here.
When I walked up the door swung open and K walked out. He gave me that familiar look I see whenever he knows I’m going or coming back from Apple Valley.
“Hey!”
“Hey!”
K, hugged me and gave me a quick peck on the lips, but I can tell he’s pissed. He hides it well and never says anything out of the way but knowing about Justine hurts him a little. Like he can’t fulfill my needs as a man.
“You going to work?”
He nodded.
“Call me when you get off. I’ll pick up something to eat for you.”
He nodded again and walked to his truck and I went inside.
Val was sitting on the couch looking at her phone shaking her head. She looked up and I could see the bruise on her face.
“I guess he feels like a man now huh?”
Val gave me this broken look and shrugged her shoulders.
“I guess.”
“Girl! Don’t worry we got chu. I was talking to my dad on my way over and he said to tell you to use the spare keys. He said you already know where they are.”
“Thanks.”
I sat next to her, she hugged me, and it was if all the pain started draining out of her.
“You need anything? Money, food, or whatever? We got chu.”
“No. Mark just sent me some money, so we won’t need to go home for clothes for a little while.”
“Well, let’s see what we got in the kitchen”
I’ll bet it’s barely any food here cause dad’s never home.
“I just got money from Mark. Plus, I can get money out of the account if he don’t withdraw it out before I get to the bank. That should be enough.”
“Girl please! The way Eric acting, that money gone out of yo account already. So, don’t even get your hopes up on it being there. Mark gave you money for clothes and we expect you to spend most of it on that. I’m about to take you to the grocery store to get everything you and Pascha need for a couple weeks.”
A reluctant Val dropped her head and looked at the floor while tears flowed down her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ain’t nobody cared about me like this since my grandmother died.”
I walked over and hugged her.
“Valencia Jones! You are family. We take care of family. And I know you would do the same for us, so stop all this damn crying and let’s go!
We both smiled, and Val started wiping her face as Mark and Pascha walked in.
“What’s up sis?”
“Hey bro! Where’s my nephew?”
“He’s back there in the room on his Xbox.”
Pascha ran over and hugged me.
“Hi Auntie Shawnie!”
“Hey Sweet Pea!”
“What y’all bout to do?” We’re about to do a little shopping.”
I looked at Val.
“You going to work tonight?”
“Yeah. I missed last night so I gotta go before some of them interns think they can come for my job.”
We hugged Mark then Malik who was both coming into the living room and we left.