Broken

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Catch Up

"Beverly Jakovah!" Katrina sprung up and chased him into the next room. I heard a slam of plastic.

"What in your right mind were you thinking? Putting Althea in danger by bringing this idiot in our--in your house?!" She screeched. "Were you raised in a barn?"

"Wish I was. And I have a good reason."

"Don't tell me. You got in trouble and he had to save your sorry ass."

"Exactly."

She grunted. "Why can't you act your age? No more foolishness, Beverly. You're sixteen now!"

"So?"

"So start being a role model for Althea."

"Like you? You're pretty, but you're not all dat, either!"

"Beverly!" Louis yelled from his spot. "Apologize. Now."

"Sorry." He mumbled.

"You, young man, have no room for sass. Now get out of my sight before I whoop you in front of everybody!" Her voice carried so much power, so much force, that I found myself shivering on the ground. She frightened me. This isn't the Katrina I knew. And possibly loved. The air was tense when they came back out. While Beverly settled in next to me, I took a good look at Katrina. She did seem older, almost forty, but I knew she was twenty. There were wrinkles around her tired eyes. Her lips were drier than before, not cracking and crusty but not desirable either. She wore a very long men's shirt and black shoes. Her hair was tied back but was poofy with thick curls and it created a crown of hair around her small face. The contrast between her and the picture was unbelievable. The fancy, prestigious woman was gone and replaced with... I don't even know. All in a matter of weeks.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

She raised a brow.

"Ma'am," I whispered. I furrowed my brows. 

She turned her attention back to the young girl, Althea. Her hair was half braided. "Continue Althea, I'm sorry." She sat down and began undoing her hair.

"And M-ax, th-e k-ing of all wild th-ings, was lon-li--"

"Lonely." Katrina interrupted.

"Lonely and wont-teed--"

"Wanted," Louis called.

"Wanted to be wh-ear--"

"Where." The both corrected.

"Where so-me-on-ee--"

"Someone," I chipped in.

"Stop, Althea," Katrina said. "What are you doing here? No one asked you over."

That's how it's going to be? "I've been looking for you."

She laughed wickedly. "Bad timing. I just stopped looking for you."

"So you know about the pains. The forgetting?"

"I've been trying very hard to forget everything."

"Since when?"

"Since the night in the alley."

"Of course." I cursed under my breath.

"I wish I was dead. Then I wouldn't have to suffer this much." She dozed out. Her golden eyes glazed over. She swayed a little.

"I just want answers. I thought you'd have them."

"So you're using me?" She shocked herself back.

"Er...not exactly...if I get answers I can then help you so we can go h--"

"No. I'm not going back."

"Don't you remember the life we had?"

"I remember too much. I remember everything and that's my problem. Starting with you. You've always been my problem. Now that I finally have a chance to be free I sure as hell ain't letting no self-centered, pale, Dixie, bagel-loving, rib-punching, weight-gaining, voice-changing, white-girl-dating, girlfriend-cheating, life-ruining white boy change my mind because I have my reasons for staying and that's all that matters. This is my life, not yours. And I don't know why I let you control me before, but that's long over."

"But don't you remember in the park?" I asked. I moved in closer. "Don't you remember how right it felt?"

She looked at me. "I forgot about it because I don't want to remember you at all."

"There's no need to be mean." Honestly, I was completely in shock. She was so hostile, and I knew that was unlike her. It had to be or else I wouldn't have ever liked her.

"Then I guess you just piss me off."

"Don't take it personally." Louis balanced four plates on his long, umber arms. His white apron was stained with green and red and orange. He passed me a bowl. "African sweet potato stew. I would've made more if I knew you were coming. I'm sorry about punching you, by the way." He said apologetically. "Katrina's been moody for the past two weeks either way. It's not just you. She just needs a challenge." He whispered. 

"I'd watch it, Louis." Katrina snarled. 

"Or you'll do what?" They glared, smiling just a little bit before Louis left to wash dishes. I slurped up the thick, sweet and savory stew. Thick chunks of potatoes and tomatoes exploded in my mouth. It cooled me down for a second. I looked down at my arm. My tattoo of the New York skyline was fading. I was slipping away. 

"What's with the mood swings? What are you, pregnant?" I laughed. No one joined. "Tough crowd."

"I am pregnant, Jordan."