Let Them In (Book 3.0) -INTERSEX

Chapter 7

Hope

It's Monday, and I'm lying in bed, debating if I really want to follow through with the idea I've been contemplating. I glance at the time; it's 5:30 a.m. Picking up my phone, I reread the text messages I exchanged with Iris at the club last Thursday. I texted her first, but I wasn't sure if she would respond.

What time do you go to work during the week?

School starts at 8 a.m. for the kids. But we walk to catch the bus at 6:30 a.m.

Don't

Don't what?

catch the bus.

Why?

Just don't

Ummmm. Okay

K. Night, Bambi

Not my name, Hope, but Goodnight.

I'm not sure how I ended up texting her. The idea of driving her and Imani to school had been nagging at me. The thought of them walking in their neighborhood, which wasn't the safest, bothered me. With a sigh, I get up and start preparing for the day. After taking a shower, I change into tan joggers and a basic black tee. I throw my hair up in a bun and grab my keys as I walk out the door.

At 6:30 a.m., I arrive at her apartment in my pickup, just in time to see them making their way to the bus stop. I knew she wouldn't have listened to me.

I roll down my window. "Bambi!"

Startled, they both spin around and spot my vehicle. Iris shakes her head as they walk to my car. I unlock the doors, and they climb in.

"What are you doing here?"

"I told you not to catch the bus." Irritation bubbles up as I realize she didn't listen. I reverse my truck and return to the main road. "Put the address in," I demand.

With a sigh, she does as I ask. "Hope, why are you mad at me?"

"Because I told you not to catch the bus. Why do you think I'm here so early? I knew you wouldn't listen."

"Why would I listen to someone I just met?" She crosses her arms and gazes out the window.

"You didn't know me when I invited you for Thanksgiving." She's getting annoyed, and I know she's right. She just wanted to give her daughter a good holiday. But she doesn't know me, and I didn't expect her to. Why am I even upset with her? "Sorry, I just don't like the fact that you two ride the bus. It's not safe around this part of the city."

"I get that... but we don't have much of a choice. Mani has school, and I have to work to provide what little I can for her." She continues to look out the window, clearly not happy with me. I notice two bananas and a muffin in her hand, and I'm betting they haven't had breakfast yet.

I deviate from the GPS route, and she glances at me. "Where are you going?"

"You said school doesn't start until 8, right?" I check the rearview mirror and see Imani dozing off. "Little Bambi, do you want to go get breakfast?" I startle her awake, but she hears me and starts smiling and nodding enthusiastically.

"You don't have to, Hope... I can't pay for that."

"I didn't ask you to pay. Are you hungry?" I glance at her, and she nods.

A few minutes later, I pull into IHop. I park the car, and Imani instantly wakes up. "Oooooo IHop! We haven't been here since Daddy di..."

"Imani!" Iris interrupts her sharply.