What Doesn't Kill Me...

Chapt. 15 - Stacy

I pulled up at home from a long, tiresome day at work to see police walking around outside the apartments. Lights flashing, dogs out.

My mind instantly went to Quan. I proceeded to find my cell phone until there was a tap on my window.

My heart dropped, I slowly opened my door as the officer backed up and helped me out.

"How you doing mamn? I'm Officer Rich. There were some shots fired out here about an hour ago. Is this your residence or are you visiting?"

He shut my car door as I stepped to the side.

"My residence. I live in building 2, apartment 301."

The officer nodded.

"Did anyone get hurt? Do you know who did it?"

He shook his head.

"No and no, mamn. We're going door to door asking questions. Do you know a Quan?"

The defensive mother instantly rose up inside of me.

"Yes I do, that's my son. Why do you ask?"

"His name was brought up as someone we should Question. Can you tell him give me a call?"

I took the card from the officer and quickly scanned it.

"I can tell him but I doubt he will."

"Well since his name was brought up I'll have have to put out a warrant for his arrest if he doesn't call me or the station in the next 24 hours."

"Okay. Okay. I'll let him know, thank you Officer..."

"Rich, Officer Rich."

I nodded and slowly, tiredly made my way home.

Taj and Laysia were sitting on the couch doing each other nails and toe nails.

I sat my purse on the kitchen counter and hopped up on a stool.

"Where's Quan?"

"I don't know."

They both spoke in unison.

"That officer out there want to speak with him about that shooting earlier. Call him and tell him if he don't call them in 24 hours to meet for questioning they gone put a warrant on him. He don't want or need that."

Taj shook her head and pulled out a LG cell phone.

"Where you get the money for that?"

She ignored me as she texted her brother.

"Tajanae Latoya Smith."

"What ma?"

"Where the hell you get money for a phone and a phone bill?"

"My brother."

I stared long and hard at my daughter.

"Mon here."

"Nope. But him and Shad was fighting today."

I shook my head and made my way off the stool.

"I don't even wanna know. Y'all gone send me to an early grave. I just hope it's not too early."

I slowly made my way to my room, my feet dragging on the floor.

"You okay ma?"

"I'm fine Lay. Just tired."

I closed my bedroom door and sat on edge of my bed holding my purse.

"Lord I don't know what the devil got going with my kids but right now, today I'm breaking those chains father God. Wrap your loving, healing, miracle arms around my children God. Wrap them up and protect them God. Tell DC to lead his children out of this life they want to live and guide them to righteousness. Guide them to the promise land. Guide them a life we all want to one day live. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

I looked up to see Trell staring at me.

"DC? How you know him?"

I shook my head.

Not today devil !

"Not today Trell. Not today."

"How you know him Stacy?"

I yelled in a whisper.

"That's Quan and Taj daddy Trell. Ms. Debra is their grandma."

He sat on the other side of the bed.

"We been married 4 years and I never knew. Why don't they know?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Ms. Debra said dont tell them. All they know is he was killed. That's it."

"I was 4 months pregnant with Taj when it happen. I was in the hospital for almost three weeks cause I was so hurt and upset they was making sure she was okay. That mess tore my heart to pieces Trell. He was in and out of Quans life. Quan was so young he dont remember him. Quan was a premature baby, I hated seeing him on all those machines but I prayed every night that God heal my baby and now look at him."

I chuckled a lil.

"23 years old, standing at 6'2 and a damn hustler.. Boy just like his daddy, a stubborn, no feelings showing, playa and hustla."

Trell came to my side and sat beside me.

"They need to know Stacy. Especially Quan, they need to know everything."

I shook my head.

"I fear for him everyday. Every single day. When I know he out there I can't do nothing but pray. I pray before every class, on my lunch break, and before I come home."

Trell wrapped his arms around me holding me the way he used to when we first met.

"They need to know. Somebody need to tell them."