Saudade

9

Sylvia's house

Chastity pov

Aunty took us into her dining room to talk. I don't understand. Isn't this just a big sleepover?

Aunty: Now first off, welcome to my home. Second, don't take anything that ain't yours.

YN: So?

Aunty: so I'm bout to set some things straight. 1) I don't know how long y'all staying here but until then my house my rules. 2) no more of this selling drugs stuff.

YN: me and Frank have already established that.

Aunty: 3) you both will go to school everyday by bus. 4) you both will have chores here and at the August residence. 5) you both will show me respect. 6) all the other rules that apply at your old house apply here.

Me: well YN made all the rules at home.

Aunty: oh really?

Me: yeah, real good strict ones too.

Aunty: oh yeah? I guess we'll see.

Next Morning

Sylvia pov

Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

YN: over there.

Chasity: good job.

The hell?

Me: what the hell y'all doing this early in the morning?

Chasity: it's 10:30 Aunty.

YN: we were cleaning. And making breakfast.

Me: oh.

Chasity: we made you some.

Me: thank you. But why are y'all still in the clothes from yesterday?

Chasity: we slept in them.

Me: why?

YN: our clothes are at home.

Me: then after breakfast we'll go get them.

- Their "Home"

Me: this is where you guys live?

YN: yeah.

Me: I see these projects on the news everyday. Whether it's a shooting, or a drug dealers.

?: hey. $15?

YN: not today. And not around the kid, you know this good and well.

?: iight.

YN: *unlocks door* Dad??

Silence

YN: good. Come in.

Me: you keep it clean.

YN: that's when dad isn't home.

Chasity: come on Aunty. Come see my room. YN painted it for me.

YN pov

Ty loves showing her room off to everyone. And saying I'm the one who painted it like the night's sky with stars, moon, and clouds. Now, what do I even pack?

Sylvia: very nice. Here, put your stuff in here.

Ty: okay.

Sylvia: hey, don't you have a room to show me?

Me: the living room?

Sylvia: that's where you sleep?

Me: yeah.

Sylvia: oh.

I managed to get some clothes and some valuables. A necklace my mom left behind, some money I've raised, Ty's first blankie , an old, old, old family picture of me, mom, and dad. Then, I left all the drugs and a majority of the money under the loose floor board.

Sylvia: ready to go?

Me:yeah. I guess so.

Sylvia: hey, what's this? *picks up ring* it looks expensive 👀

Me: NO !!! Leave the ring right there. That's staying here.

Sylvia: okay.

Sylvia pov

I kinda have a soft spot for the girl now that I see her struggle. It's Chasity who has all the clothes. YN barley has anything.

Chasity: LOOK YN! Teddy!

YN: thank goodness he's okay.

Chasity: I know right.

Me: who's Teddy?

YN: a stuffed bear Ty's had since she was a baby. It's the only thing that makes her feel comfortable and safe.

Me: oh, I see.