Read Online Nobody's Son by Zaria Garrison - Free Book Online Page B

and Jenise attend these classes. You need help. You both need it.”
    Reggie snatched the paper from her hands and crumpled it up. “I don’t need to go to no domestic violence classes. Me and Jenise are just fine. Besides, if I went to those classes, it would ruin my career before it started. How can I go into churches in this area and minister my music if they think I’ve been hitting my wife? Forget it!”
    â€œHow can you go into churches in this community and minister your music when you know that you hit your wife?” Ellen asked.
    â€œStay outta our business, Ellen.” Reggie pointed a long, skinny finger at her face. “What goes on between me and Jenise is none of your business. You got that?”
    Ellen sighed loudly. “Yeah, I got it.” She stood up from the table and went over to the stove to check on dinner.
    â€œLeave that and I’ll finish cooking. I’m glad you stayed with Jenise while I was away, but I’m home now, so you can get your stuff and bounce.”
    Ellen glared at him and was just about to refuse to leave when Jenise walked into the kitchen. Her eyes lit up like a lightning bug when she saw Reggie. “Baby, when did you get home?” she asked. She reached down and hugged him tightly.
    â€œI just got here a few minutes ago,” he said, hugging her back. “Why didn’t you tell me what the doctor said when I called last week?”
    Jenise pulled out a chair and sat beside him. She glanced over at her sister before answering. “I didn’t want to worry you while you were working in the studio at your mom’s house. Besides, Ellen didn’t mind staying here, did you, Sissy?” she asked.
    Although she didn’t mind staying with her sister at all Ellen was livid to find out that her sister had been in contact with Reggie and had not told him what was going on. When she’d asked about him, Jenise had pretended that she had no idea where he’d gone or when he’d be back. As much as she loved her sister, Ellen was growing weary of the lies she constantly told to protect her husband.
    â€œListen, since Reggie is here, I’m gonna go ahead and go home.” She gave Jenise a quick hug, then left them alone in the kitchen. Her stomach did flip-flops as she heard the two of them laughing and giggling with each other like teenagers. Ellen was aware that there were many times when Reggie was very affectionate and loving toward her sister, but in her mind, those times did not outweigh the multiple times that he treated her as if she was less than a stray dog he’d found wandering in the street. No matter what anyone said, that wasn’t her idea of what love was all about.
    She went into Aaliyah’s bedroom that she had shared with her for the past week and grabbed her overnight bag and threw her things randomly into it. On her way out the door she gave her niece a big hug and a kiss. “Do you remember when I showed you how to call nine-one-one?” she asked her niece.
    â€œI do, Auntie Ellen,” she answered.
    â€œWhat’s my phone number?”
    Aaliyah grinned and recited the number proudly, “404-555-0988.”
    â€œThat’s perfect. Now if you ever need anything you can call me, or you can call nine-one-one if there’s a problem. Do you understand?”
    Aaliyah nodded her little head, and her ponytails bobbed back and forth.
    Ellen went to the door, then instructed Aaliyah to lock it securely after she was gone. As she descended the staircase on her way to the parking lot, she began to fervently pray.
    â€œDear Lord, please take care of my sister and my niece. Protect them, Lord. Keep them both safe from hurt, harm, or danger. Touch my sister’s heart and open her eyes. Help her to see through the love she feels and protect her and her child. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
    Since it was still early in the evening Ellen decided against going