Glass Heart

2

Sage thanked the realtor who opened the front door for her. When she walked inside the house, she gasped.

"Beautiful huh?" The realtor asked, smiling.

"Very" it made her wonder how her brother could afford a place like this when he's been in jail for almost a year. "Bedrooms?"

"4, with a guest house which has 2 additional rooms"

Sage nodded in approval "If he doesn't buy this place, I will for sure" she mumbled to herself. The realtor decided to give her some alone time and walked out the house. Soon as the door closed, her phone rang. It was Jamie calling from the jail house. "Brother, this place is beautiful" she said in awe as she walked down the hall and into the first bedroom.

"You sure? I ain't looking for no small ass box house. I need space to move around in"

"This is more than enough room, trust me"

"That's wassup. I'll get it but that's not why I called you. I got some good news"

"Does it involve you getting out early?” She mumbled, knowing that wasn't it.

"How'd you know?"

"What? Tell me you're kidding. Wait, don't tell me you're kidding. Seriously? "

"Very serious. I get out tomorrow and I was wondering if my wonderful sister could come pick me up"

Sage laughed "I'm happy you’re getting out and all but no. That drives almost 3 hours long and I-"

"Come on now, don't make me beg. Cause I ain't gon do it"

"Get to beggin big bro"

Jamie sighed "Please" he said plainly.

She laughed "That's you begging?"

"Please Sage."

She paused and smiled "Eh that was alright. I'll be there but you have to buy me dinner. And a new outfit"

"Whatever, I gotta go though. These niggas tryna get me to stay here another night"

"Please don't get in trouble J, I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow"

"Quit baby girl, you'll see me. " he hung up the phone before she could get anything out and she sighed, saying a quick prayer for her brother. After telling the realtor the place was going to be bought, she made a trip over to her mom’s place. She promised she'd stop by, and she wouldn't break it. When she pulled up, her mom was sitting on the porch with a cigarette in her hand and a beer in the other. She squinted her eyes, not believing her daughter came.

"Sage, sweetie. That's you?"

"Yes it’s me. What'd you need me for? “She took a seat on the old bench beside her mom "Everything ok?"

Rosetta smiled a little "Everything's fine. Just wanted to see my daughter. “She said "When does Jamie get out?"

"I'm picking him up tomorrow. He's getting out early"

"Oh that's great. How has he been?"

"Pretty good, how have you been?"

The smile slightly fell "Alright I guess" she took a puff of her cigarette "Could be better" the smoke came out her nose. "Kennedy hasn't called since he's been in jail"

"You know what he in for?” Rosetta shook her head "Maybe his old ways caught up to him"

"Don't start Sage, please. I'm not in the mood"

"You think I was in the mood to have my ass beat on a regular? That was something I liked?"

Rosetta stood up and put her cigarette out "If u came over to argue, you can leave" Sage hopped up and blocked the doorway "Get outta my way"

"No, you're gonna sit down and you're gonna listen to me" Sage yelled. "Every time I try and tell you what he did to me, you leave. Now sit"

Her mom clenched her jaw and did as told then took a large swallow of her beer “Whatever he did, couldn't have been that bad."

Carelessly, Sage pulled off her long sleeve shirt not caring who saw. Her upper body was still bruised after years have passed from the abuse.

She did a spin for her mom "Not that bad? “She yelled, "The man you love, beat my ass any chance he got. He beat me like a man and it wasn't that bad? How could you be ok, knowing what he did to me? Your only daughter?"

By now, tears were running down her face but the look on Rosetta’s face made her stand up straight and tilt her head to the side slightly.

"You don't care, do you?" Sage asked, softly. Her mom didn't answer. "Did you?" She yelled.

"No, I didn't and I still don't" Rosetta yelled back. "I never wanted you Sage, ever. You're the reason your father left and because you chased away my husband, I promised to make your life a living hell so you'd end it yourself"

Angrily, Sage wrapped her hands around her mom’s throat and pushed her up against the old, wooden house. Rosetta tried to breath but Sage had a tight grip and fire in her eyes. She looked into her mom’s eyes and watched as they slowly started to close. Before she knew it, Sage was being held over a stranger’s shoulder and being hauled off towards her car while neighbors quickly rushed to Rosetta to see about her condition.

"Don't check on her" Sage yelled as the man set her down "After what she did to me, she should've been died."

The neighbors looked at her and the last words Sage let out where the ones that stuck to Rosetta.

"I fuckin hate you" Sage hopped in her car and quickly sped off down the road.