Rinse

Chapter 14

It’s the next morning, and Tareq is asleep in my arms. I don’t want to wake him, but I can’t over stay my welcome. “T, ima head out.” He started to groan. He doesn’t want me to leave? “Naw, you staying here. I don’t want you to go. Not yet, please.” He doesn’t want me to leave. That’s actually adorable when a man is clingy or as clingy as T. I’ve seen how clingy he can be, and it’s always been cute to me. I start to feel his thumb making tiny circles around my leg, he started to slowly lay on my lap, “Did you know your thighs are really soft.” It’s early in the morning and this boy wants to start? No, my hormones flare up way too f*****g fast and forget everything that happened. “Don’t start T. But we can’t sit here all day. Pass me my phone I need to check on Jasmine.” He started to groan…again. “Stop being lazy boy and give it here.” He passed me my phone and my heart sinks. I have missed texts from Jasmine and an unknown number. But something tells me it’s different. Then I see I have 4 missed calls from a different unknown number. Who the f**k is bothering me now? “T, I’ll be back. I have to go to the bathroom really quick.” He lifted and his and I started to briefly walk to the bathroom. I immediately close the door and open messages. I had 7 messages from Corey saying

• “We need to talk Harlem…”

• “Harlem I miss you please…”

• “Don’t leave me for a f*****g drug dealer Harlem!”

• “Bae I miss your body so bad, just let me have you one time…”

• “Stop saving yourself come over Harlem…”

• “b***h ANSWER!”

• “We have unfinished business, I need to talk to you…”

The last text message frightened me. I text back telling him never to reach out again and block his number. I go to Jasmine’s text and she texted me 3 times saying

• “Harlem, did you make it to T’s house?”

• “Please be safe.”

• “Call me as soon as possible, I need to make sure you’re ok…”

I love how Jasmine cares so much if I’m safe knowing that her situation is way worse. I reply telling her I’ll come see her later when I collect everything…mentally . And finally I call the number… I recognize that voice. My meth head addicted mom, “Hey Harley. I missed you, how you been?” She disappears for months or years if she has enough in her pocket not to f*****g bother me. She hit me once because she was trying to detox but they didn’t help, and I was the target of abuse. I had to stay with my grandma and ever since then, I’ve rarely talked to her, so why is she calling now? “I know you don’t want to talk but I heard what happened at that party. That boy Raheem. Harley I have to tell you the truth.” One reason she calls me Harley… she wanted to name me after Harleen Quinzel aka Harley Quinn. “What mom? If you ask for any money it’s a f**k no.” I heard her voice tearing up. “I killed your dad when I found out he had another family. And that boy Raheem is your half-brother. I was the other woman and you were the other child. I’m so sorry. You dad is involved with this bad group of people and they’ve been trying to find you, and I think Raheem gave you up. I’m not sure, but I know they’re looking for me. I’m in town. Meet me tomorrow at Jade’s Coffee to talk more. Love ya.” Shivers ran down my spine. “What the f**k just happened?” I walk out the restroom to sweet aroma of pancakes in the air, but my mood has not changed. “T, I need to talk to you. Now.” He looked shook. “Did I do something already?” He saw the fear in my eyes, “Harlem what the f**k happened in that bathroom.” I collapse on the couch, I started to have a panic attack. I can’t breathe. “s**t Harlem. 5 things you see,” What is he doing? “The couch, you, the floor, the tv, and the kitchen…” What is he trying to do… “ 4 things you can touch,” I pause and look, “You, the couch, my shirt, and my phone…” I’m calming down a little. “3 things you can hear…” “The stove, your voice, and the tv,” How is the helping me so well. “2 things you smell…” Where did he get this from? “The pancakes and the biscuits I believe?” He laughs, “1 thing you can taste?” Him, but in the near future. “Water, that bottle right there. Where did you get that from T?” He starts to hold me a little tighter but in a comforting way. “I had panic attacks a lot. So my cousin did this method for me and ever since I’ve been as smooth as a pimp.” Why that reference. “Don’t- T no. But at lot is going on. Corey wants to talk to me, my mom wants to meet up tomorrow to explain how she killed my father, how she is dealing with bad men, and Raheem is my f*****g half-brother.” We both sat there silent. But for some reason, T loves the break the silence. “I’ll be with every step of the way, okay? I’m not going anywhere. Do you need me to go with you tomorrow, or you’re okay by yourself with your mom?” I had to think and contemplate before answering. “Just drop me off and wait for me outside, but right now I need to eat. Let’s eat then talk later. You know where Cam lives right.” “Yeah, come get your plate LL.” I still hate that damn nickname, but it’s better because now I’m with him.