TIANNA

ch3.

"Goodmorning mama."

I sat down at the kitchen table to eat the breakfast she made for us. She was in a better mood today and actually wanted to do something.

"Goodmorning baby. I was thinking maybe we could go up to the farmers market to get a few things for the house." "Oh ok, I'm down to do that. I haven't been to the store in a while."
"Yeah, I'm thinking about cooking one of these nights." She said, sitting down beside me.

I wanted to go get Steph's car washed and go see those friends of his. I had to pick up Trez too. This was all before ten in the morning so, I know everybody was probably asleep. I didn't care though. I had my first lead in this whole situation with Steph and I just might find out who killed him.

"I'll be back Mama. Call me if your ready to go before I get here."
She nodded her head as I left out the door.

__

This was my first time driving his car. He would never let me do this.
"Ha, ha. Steph I'm in your carrr." I laughed. I sat for a while, just taking it in. I was tired of crying. At this point, me and Steph had something to prove.

We could do it.

__

I pulled up to Trez's house that was only about 10 minutes away. He lived a few houses down from Sam so I was used to the route.

His house was well kept. His mom had a garden going around the front of the house and sprinklers that were always on. His parents never seemed to be there though. These past few days I've only seen him come and go. No one else.
"Let me hurry up and go in here."

I speed walked to his door, hoping Sam wasn't lingering outside. I'm sure she wasn't but, you never know with her.
I knocked a few times with no answer. I really didn't want to go by myself this time and even considered going to get Sam. I knocked one last time before a little girl opened the door.
"Oh. Hey." I said a little confused.
"Who you?" She asked, holding a stuffed animal.
"Um, Trez's friend. Is he here?" She left the door cracked and ran down the hallway. I stood there awkwardly until he finally came to the door.
He was rubbing his eyes and only had on basketball shorts. I was disgusted. So disgusted, that he kind of looked good.
I was probably trippin' though.

"Yo T. Why you here so early?" He asked.
"You not ready to go? I told you to be ready." I said.
"All right man, come on." He said, opening the door all the way, letting me in.

I walked past two other kids on the sofa watching T.V, and that little girl eating cereal at the kitchen table while on her iPad. He walked to his room where I sat down on the bed. I didn't move at all.
It felt weird to be there. Just a few days ago I called him an old man, now he getting dressed infront of me like we knew eachother for years.
"Should I turn around?" I asked, looking away.
"For what?" He laughed. "I'm half dress now. Just wait right here while I go brush my teeth." I nodded as he left the room.

"It's nice in here." I whispered to myself.
He had records on the wall and shoes hanging on his closet door. His bed was soft to. For a moment, I quickly plopped back, sighing heavily.
"I wish my bed felt like this."
I looked over and saw a stack of books on his nightstand and reached over for one.

"Books about Malcom X? Oh he's different. " I said, flipping through the book while still laying down. I could hear the kids laughing every few seconds at the cartoons they were watching. It was calm and alive in there.
I miss that feeling.

He came in the door causing me to sit up quickly.
"I see your comfortable." He said, throwing a towel into a hamper he had in the corner.
"That was quick." I sad, putting the book back.
"You like Malcom X?" He asked me.
"I guess I'm supposed to. I don't know much about him." I confessed.
"Read up on your history. It's alot we don't know."
I put my hands on my hips and sighed.
"Ok, you ready to go?" I asked him.
He just stood there and looked me up and down.
"Yeah I'm ready but, can I say something?" He asked.
"What's up?"
"These past few days with you have been rough. Tryna win you over. But, through it all. I see a genuine friendship between us. You make me laugh the way you are so annoyed by your friends."