Stones Diary: Built for Pressura' 2

Chapter 97.) His-Story

"Had I known you loved water ice, I would've made sure you had a lil pocket change to get you some after school each day," Zoya said to Lucky as they sat outside one of the corner stores snacking on Italian ice.

"I don't like sugar like dat but dis is ard," he shrugged, "you'd think er'body would dress warmer since it's brick out here," he said as he watched a few locals walk by without coats on.

"We're sitting here enjoying water ice in fifty-degree weather," she chuckled, "we have no room to judge."

"Humans are a peculiar species," he casually replied.

Zoya laughed, "Ra, you and your odd vocab. You are a human as well or are you considering yourself an exception to tha' rule?"

"I know I ain't all tha' way there, but people in general just seem so ungrateful or unaware about things."

"It's life, we're all just existing on this floating planet," she told him before checking the time on her phone, "we should get back before it gets late."

"Picking up Cam on tha' way home?" he queried as he stood.

"We're not staying home tonight..." she avoided his gaze as she tossed the trash.

Lucky's expression hardened, "huh?"

"He got paid today... I don't want him around us while he's... intoxicated."

Lucky shook his head, "dat is your house... why do you keep making us run when you pay tha' bills? Just lock him out like you usually do."

"So he can kick the door in or break another window and have the neighbors call the cops again?"

"I would rather tha' Jakes pick him up than us having to stay at shelters for two nights... I am tired of doing dis, Ma. Cam is old enough to start asking questions, what are you gonna tell her?"

"I don't have the resources to just pick up and move... so I'm doing what I can for the time being, stop questioning everything I do... I am trying my best, Ra," she stressed.

Sighing, Lucky tucked his hands into his pockets and began walking. "Do you love him?" he decided to ask.

"That is not important."

"Do you?" he stared at her.

"I thought I did," she muttered, "I don't know why I keep choosing the wrong men," she whispered the last part.

"I don't think he loves you... I know he hates me... if he loved you, he wouldn't keep putting his hands on you..." he shook his head, "he doesn't even pay any bills."

"He does what he needs to do when I need help," she corrected, "what did I tell you about minding my business?"

"You're my mom," he simply said, "you expect me to ignore what's going on? Every time someone broke into our place, I always felt like it was because of his stupid self... I don't remember bad stuff happening to us until he came into your life... he is tha' devil."

Zoya remained quiet briefly before she spoke, "one day when you're older you'll understand."

"You always say dat... I don't think I'll ever understand why I woman stays with a man who constantly beats on her... there's no way anyone is okay with dat life. If I catch him doing it again... I'll make sure it'll be tha' last breath he takes."