The Taste of Rain by Barbara Howard

Author:Barbara Howard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, mystery, amateur sleuth, female sleuth, african american mystery, young adult mystery
Publisher: Barbara Howard Media
Published: 2023-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Amira prepared breakfast for her sister and carried it upstairs to her bedroom. It was time to reveal ‘the plan’ for going forward now that her life had taken this sudden turn. When she knocked on the bedroom door, she found her already up and dressed.

Gauging that Jasmine’s mood was much lighter than the day before, she explained that Claire would be staying with them indefinitely. At least until she could locate a family member who might consider taking her in. According to what she had researched, Claire couldn’t be held against her will in a facility even if there was 24-hour care.

“She would be considered an elopement patient or Leave Against Medical Advice, LAMA. Am I right?” Amira said, “It’s a legal matter, which means that we would need access to Claire’s medical records, and that would be nearly impossible. So that part would be tricky. Obviously, Miss Claire could sue Gladstone for neglect, because how do you let someone just roam around unnoticed for how many days? Let me check–”

“I’m out,” Jasmine said.

“What do you mean ‘out’?”

“I mean that I’m out of here. Whatever scheme you’ve got in mind, I can’t take the chance of being part of it. Do you understand the potential risks involved with harboring this woman here?”

“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, just some paperwork. And it’s only until something better works out for her.”

“Amira, I can’t.”

“Jazz, you don’t mean that.”

“I can’t stay here anymore,” Jasmine said quietly. “I need to get away from all of this, from the memories that we both have here. I need to start fresh with Marcus.”

“Are you serious?” she asked, shocked. This was the last thing she expected to hear. “You’re really going to move back in with him?”

Jasmine nodded. “Yes, I am. He’s changed, Amira. We’ve changed. He apologized, and he wants to make things right.”

Amira shook her head. “I don’t believe him, Jazz. He cheated on you. And he’ll do it again. You and the baby deserve better than that.”

Jasmine looked down at her belly. “I know, but I don’t have the words to explain this to you. I don’t want to be alone with a baby.”

Amira took a deep breath. “You won’t be alone. I’ll be here for you. We can find a different place together, somewhere with more room for you and the baby.”

Jasmine’s face softened. “Thank you, Mimi. I appreciate that. But I think I need to give Marcus a second chance. I still love him.”

Amira sighed. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, okay? If he does anything to hurt you again, I won’t be responsible for how I react.”

Jasmine hugged her sister. “I promise, Amira. I’ll be fine.”

Amira wasn’t convinced, but she knew she had to support her sister. She just hoped that Jasmine wouldn’t regret her decision.

That afternoon, Amira sat on the worn wooden steps of the front porch. As if on cue, raindrops began to fall, their gentle patter forming a melancholic symphony on the old slate roof.

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