Read Online Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) by Deatri King-Bey - Free Book Online Page A

“Okay, we can make it through this. I’m not saying George was right or this’ll be easy, but you have to try. Your marriage is a union made before God—”
    “Don’t start with that God mess again. Did God keep those nasty ass perverts out of our beds when we were kids?”
    Angela flinched at the memories.
    “The one thing I do know is I don’t want George.”
    “I know you’re not leaving George for that monster!”
    Harriet stared at her sister as though she’d gone from having an Afro to straight hair in sixty seconds flat. “Have I ever allowed a man to beat me? I’m not a child anymore. Men will not use me. I told you, I’ve learned from Mama’s mistakes. I’m through with George and David.” She looked at the clock setting on the end table. “It’s almost noon. You need to leave before you miss your bus, and I need a nap. I’m trying to make a baby here.”
    “You mean you’re having the baby?”
    Harriet slowly nodded her head. “Men come and go. But blood,” she rested her hand on Angela’s, “is forever. This baby is a wakeup call. I need to change my life. I want to change my life.”
    “I’m so proud of you.” Angela closed her eyes momentarily and silently thanked God. “I’ll help you with the baby. I’ll get a job and transfer to Chicago State.”
    Withdrawing her hands, Harriet jerked back. “Oh no you won’t! You have a full scholarship at Vanderbilt. You’re almost done. I expect you to graduate from Vanderbilt.”
    “But what will you do for money? I only have enough for one more night. Come to Tennessee with me for now.”
    Harriet tapped her earrings—Chanel set, 14 karat gold, with full-cut, round, brilliant diamonds. “Do you realize how much jewelry I have?”
    Angela looked at Harriet as if she’d become a nun. “I know you’re not pawning your jewelry.” Harriet’s light giggle warped Angela back in time, back to when they were four and five years old and all they cared about was playing in the park, picking dandelions, and making clover necklaces. Back to before their mother’s visitors stole their innocence. How she prayed her sister could regain some of that childhood innocence.
    “I sound crazy, don’t I?” Harriet fanned herself, finally calming. “Seriously though, I need time alone. I don’t know. I guess to figure out what I want out of life. Now get going before you miss the bus.”
    “Are you sure?” Angela wanted to have faith in Harriet, but it was hard. She’d been let down so many times before. Harriet was so much like their mother that it scared Angela.
    “I have to stick around here until the divorce is final. Then, who knows? I may check Tennessee out.”
    Angela hugged her sister. This time things would be different. She could feel it.
    * * *
    The truth is in Florida, so Florida is where I’m staying. Repositioning herself and her journal on the hotel bed, Rosa propped a fluffy pillow under her arms.
    I’m finding it hard to digest the fact that David Martí n is my biological father. An eerie chill filled Rosa. The father of my heart is the head of the business world, and my biological father is the head of the drug world.
    How can I be from a man like that? It’s true, so I have to deal with it. I don’t know if Daddy is more afraid of the drug world or afraid I’ll start considering David Martín as my father. Either way, in the long run, he’ll see he’s worried needlessly. He’s being his usual overprotective self. She drew a mustached happy face. And I love him for it.
    While gathering her thoughts, she bit on the end of her ink pen. No matter how out of whack my life was, I knew I’d make it because I had Daddy. He’s always been my anchor. She paused. Had been my anchor. I’ll always love him, but I don’t know who he is anymore. I don’t know who I am anymore. We’re both adrift. She sighed. Daddy was the one person I totally trusted and knew I could depend on. Now I feel betrayed. I don’t know what to