When Somebody Loves You Back by Mary B. Morrison

Author:Mary B. Morrison [Morrison, Mary B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, United States, African American, Women's Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Fiction, American, Literary, Sports, 77new
ISBN: 0758207328
Amazon: B001AK43XY
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2008-07-02T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Ashlee

Shortly after sunrise, Ashlee grabbed little Darius’s red, blue, and green toddler’s suitcase, opened his drawers, and selected three changes of clothing. The basics of what she’d need for their impromptu getaway. Where? Anywhere outside of Texas’s ridiculous laws. “D.C. That’s a busy place where no one would recognize us.” With Chocolate City’s shortage of men, Ashlee would fair well on her own, not worrying about getting a man.

The diapers, stroller, and baby food were already in the car. One pair of shoes would do until they were out of town. Ashlee hoisted little Darius onto her hip, grabbed her purse, and locked the door. She put her son in his car seat, started the engine. “Oh, damn, I forgot my medication.” Fumbling through her purse, Ashlee removed her house keys. “Baby, Mama’ll be right back.”

Leaving the car running, quickly, Ashlee ran inside. As she was wrapping her fingers around the yellow bottle on the end table, her phone rang. “Should I?” At least check the caller ID. Picking up the handset, whoa, she saw it was Darius.

Softly, Ashlee answered, “Hey, I’m glad you called. I need to tell you something.”

Darius interrupted. “I can’t talk long. I just called to say I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done you.”

“Darius, do you mean it? I miss you so much. I want you to meet someone. Before I say who, do you love me?”

“Yes, I really am sorry. You’ve been good to me, Ashlee. I don’t want to hurt you again. I mean that. Thanks. I gotta go—”

“Darius, don’t hang—”

Click.

“—up,” Ashlee whispered. She wanted to ask Darius if they could stay with him. CPS couldn’t label her unfit if she was…if they were with Darius. Knowing he still loved her, he wouldn’t refuse them when she showed up at his front door. Ashlee decided to drive west instead of east.

Oh my God, not again, Ashlee thought, running out the door to her car. Settling into the driver’s seat, she exhaled. “Mommy sor—” Looking in the car seat, she screamed, “Aaaahhhhh!” Frantically she got out, opened the back door, and checked the floor. “Oh my God. Baby. Baby!” Ashlee leaned over as far as she could, checking under the seat. She swiped her hand deep under the passenger seat.

“Hello, Ms. Anderson. Looking for something, or shall we say someone?”

“You! You took my son! Where is he?” Facing Ms. Benson, Ashlee began wringing her hands to refrain from strangling that wicked witch of a caseworker.

Ms. Benson calmly said, “Ashlee, we need to talk. Let’s go inside.”

“Wait just one minute, you, you thief,” Ashlee said, turning off her engine. “I want my son back! I’m going to call my father and have you arrested for kidnapping. You can’t go around taking people’s children!” Walking to Ms. Benson’s car, Ashlee peeped inside the window. Little Darius wasn’t there.

Calmly Ms. Benson, said, “What if I told you I didn’t take your son?”

Breathing in Ms. Benson’s face, Ashlee yelled, “Liar! Liar! Who else would’ve taken him?”

“We can go inside.

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