Crossing The Line

Chapter Seventeen

●Cedric●

I hung up the phone with Stacy and I looked at the time on my watch, realizing I had two hours before I had to be there. I knew dinner was a code word for planning our moves and I was glad that they actually came around to trusting me.

I wasnt lying when I said I had no plans. My back is against the wall right about now. I'm constantly hearing people say Omar and Dro are looking for me and everytime I leave the house its like walking around with a target on my back. I cant even go into town without looking up in the sky and down at my body repeatedly trying to make sure no one is about to snipe me from a distance.

I walked around the house.

"Yo moms." I called walking down the stairs.

"What you need baby?" She responded.

"I'm going to be gone later on today."

"Where to?"

"Im meeting up with some friends."

"Are you talking about my neighbor Lauren and her friend."

I smiled.

"If you must know, then yes."

"You right I need to know, all this crazy mess going on around here. Come to think of it.. why did that lil gul run up outta here like that the other day?"

"Who Stacy?"

"Yes Cedric. Dont play dumb with me boy."

I sat down in the living room across from her.

"Well ma. Stacy and I use to date."

"Well what in the world did you do to that woman Cedric? When she seen your face she just took off."

I leaned up and rested my arms on my knees.

"You remember that case I kept worring about for years?"

"Yeah.."

"I was using Stacy as my lead in the case. She was dating the suspect I was after. I had been watching her every move for months and then I met her in a gas station. I got her to trust me. We messed around and when she fell for me. She got comfortable enough to spill her feelings to me, telling me some valuable information about my suspect. I used the information to my advantage but I didnt tell her I was a cop..."

She was quiet.

"I was so caught up in finally getting this guy that I set them all up.."

"Cedric.... now you know I didnt raise you like that. I didnt raise you to use nobody. Let alone no woman!"

"I know.. but.." I began as I looked down.

"Cedric.. you gotta let go.. I know youre still hurt baby but Deanna wouldnt want you to press on like this. At some point youre gonna have to free her. She's in a better place Cedric."

"I will free her.. once I finish what I started. As soon as this guy get what he deserves.. then I'll be done."

"Dont you see how many people you're hurting in this process? I haven't seen you out and actually enjoying life in awhile. Its always work and finding this guy. Its time for you to live again son."

I was silent.

"Promise me you wont keep living like this. Youre not gonna be young forever baby. You could meet the woman of your dreams but you'll miss out because youre so focused on something that happened in the past."

My head dropped to the floor as I listened to her speak nothing but the truth. She was right. Eventually I was going to have to let go. To end it all..