Read Online Heart of Gold by Beverly Jenkins - Free Book Online

done.”
    â€œYou’ve been thinking about this, haven’t you?”
    â€œJust last night, after I got back and looked at all the stuff I have, and how Kiki would love to have even just a little bit of it.”
    Bernadine knew Crystal had a good heart, but this was surprising. “How about we talk about it again in a few days.”
    She nodded.
    â€œSo tell me what happened with your shoes.”
    She sighed. “All I wanted to do was go to the club, and Kiki’s cousin Ross offered to take me. So I went. Thought I could hold my liquor. I couldn’t. Had too much. Passed out and woke up so sick I thought I’d never stop throwing up.”
    â€œOh, Crys.”
    She shrugged. “Then I realized my purse was gone along with my phone, my jacket, and my shoes. Kiki warned me to watch my back around Ross. I should’ve listened.”
    â€œBut why would he take your shoes?”
    â€œWasn’t him. It was his girlfriend. She kept saying how cute they were and wanted to know where I got them and if she could try them on.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYeah, after I got through throwing up, I had to walk all the way back to Kiki’s in the freezing rain, barefoot.” She retreated into silence again, and when she looked at Bernadine, there were tears in her eyes. “I was so cold and my feet hurt so bad,” she whispered.
    Like any mother, Bernadine’s heart ached for her child.
    â€œI lasted one day. One! I tried to get a job as soon as I got to Dallas, but I didn’t know my whole social security number or have an address, so I couldn’t even finish filling out the application.”
    Bernadine wondered what had gone through Crystal’s mind when she realized she didn’t know as much about how the real world rolled as she thought she did.
    â€œTamar told me at church that I’ll get the chance to fly away when I’m ready. Can I still go to college?”
    â€œIs that what you want?”
    â€œYes. I want to finish my triptych for that art show in LA next year, too.”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œI promise to never do anything this dumb again. Ever.”
    â€œGoing to hold you to that. Your mom is way too old to go through this again.” Bernadine thought back on who Crystal had been when she first arrived, with her tats, ratty gold weave, and urban attitudes. In the years since, she’d grown and blossomed and made incredible strides. She hoped the maturity would continue to grow so that when she did fly away, the wings would be strong and true. “Anything else you want to discuss?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen let’s go in and see what Diane’s been up to.”
    Inside, Bernadine made the introductions. Diane eyed Crystal up and down. “You should be grateful my sister took you in, instead of running away and causing her trouble.”
    Crystal’s mouth tightened, and angry tears filled her eyes. Bernadine said to her softly, “Go on up to your room, Crys. I’ll see you later.”
    Crys nodded and left quickly.
    Because Bernadine didn’t bother veiling her anger, Diane responded with, “What? I’m not supposed to call her out? Apparently somebody should. She needs to know how blessed she is.”
    â€œHow do you know she doesn’t?”
    Diane’s chin rose in challenge.
    â€œThis is her home, and I’m not putting up with you bullying her. You don’t know a thing about her or her circumstances.”
    â€œWhy are you defending her? Have you had her tested for drugs?”
    â€œYou have two seconds to shut your mouth or get out.”
    â€œI’m going to my room.”
    â€œNot yet. How long are you planning on being here?”
    â€œI hadn’t really thought about it.”
    â€œThen do, because if you’re going to be here more than a week, you’ll need to start looking for employment.”
    â€œWhat? Why?”
    â€œBecause