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“Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done. But we got it. We don’t
need you coming in like Batman to save us. Just check us out, okay? It’s
gonna be big. People are gonna pay attention to this one.”
He wasn’t going to tell me what it was and I couldn’t blame him. I’d
just be some outsider inserting myself into their project. I’d throw money at
them and I’d feel as entitled as they felt obligated.
I had made a bigger life for myself, with more people, more money, and
more freedom. But I was no closer to finding out who I was. My face
tingled and my nose got a wet tickle inside it. I sniffed.
“Fance, come on, man.”
“They will pay attention.” I wiped my eyes with the heel of my hand.
“And I will. I’ll be there, cheering you on.”
Tasha slung her bag over her shoulder and hugged me.
“No white lady tears,” she said, holding me tight.
I laughed. “I miss you guys is all.”
She let me go. “You’re coming to see me tonight, right?”
“Of course!”
“I have a car now. I can come by any time.”
“That is not a safe vehicle,” Amilcar mumbled.
Tasha kissed my cheek.
Amilcar shook my hand, then pulled me into a hug. “We’ll see you
later.”
“Get out,” I said. “Before I cry again.”
They closed the door behind them. In the back, the headlights of
Amilcar’s Toyota flashed through the back window, blinding me. They got
smaller as he backed up, swung left, and disappeared into the city.
My phone chimed again.
—I’ll come with you. What time?—
—Ella? You there?—
So. Fucking. Demanding.
I had to drop everything because he had a few free hours. Fuck him.
“Ella,” I said to myself, “he doesn’t owe you anything besides a few
million dollars.”
—Seven. Be home at six or I leave without you—
—Okay—
Okay. Sure.
I put away the phone and slumped in the chair.