In These Streets

Chapter 10

Ophelia answered her phone on the third ring and I was silently grateful that she hadn't changed her number.

I shouldn't have been surprised the iPhone had limitless data and long-distance calling, as well as texting. My mother had a plain Nokia that was pay-as-you-go, just to hear back from any jobs she applied for.

"Hello?"

"Ophelia, it's Ambra. I'm so sorry it's been this long since I've called."

My voice wavered and tears sprang to my eyes as her familiar cadence reached my ears.

"It's okay, Ambra. I was just worried about you. How are you doing since your dad...?"

"I'm doing okay, but it's really hard being away from everyone. We moved down to Watts, Los Angeles. Ophelia, you have to come down and see me," my voice cracked on the last word and tears slipped down my cheeks.

I was tired of crying.

"Watts? Like, the ghetto? Oh my God, Ambra. Of course I'll come down and visit you. I had no idea your family was in such a bad position. Do you want me to talk to my dad, see if he can help out at all?"

Ophelia's voice was filled with pain and pity, and the shame washed over me.

Ophelia had been my best friend since we were 12, I had a closer bond with her than I had with anyone else in my life. I knew I didn't have to feel ashamed to tell her the truth about my family's predicament. She would offer emotional support and friendship, something I desperately needed now more than ever.

Her father was a top neurosurgeon in Salt Lake, a career that made the Briggs' very privileged. Through my father's trial Dr. Briggs extended an olive branch to my family, and helped financially with a couple of my father's debts.

I quietly cleared my throat, wishing I could accept the offer to lighten the stress off of my mother but I knew she would adamantly refuse it.

"No, it's okay, we're doing alright. It's so good to hear your voice. How's Ocean?" I asked as I wiped my eyes, trying for a conversational tone.

Ophelia got the hint, dropping the subject and giving me all the details about our other best friend and how she went on a humanitarian mission to Peru for the summer.

We talked for two hours, catching up on what has been happening in our group of friends since I'd been gone and what my new life was like in Watts.

"So.... I did meet this guy. He's a supposed businessman. He's really intense in a weird sort of way, but things didn't really work out with him. He's a total player and I've already experienced that side of him," I told her. Relief flooded out of me at finally being able to talk to someone about the whole situation.

I hadn't realized how isolated I'd felt, having to bottle up my emotions with nobody to turn to.

Ophelia squealed on the other end.

"A business man? Like Christian Grey?"

I bit my lip as I stifled a laugh.

"Not exactly. He owns a chain of high end tattoo shops."

"Tattoo shops?" Ophelia sounded taken aback, as I knew she would.

"Yeah. But I'm not going to see him again."

"That's probably wise, Ambra," she agreed in distaste.

It hurt my feelings a little that she dismissed Darius without even asking his name, or how I was feeling about the whole thing, or what happened in detail.

It was one of Ophelia's flaws, being apathetic when she didn't like or agree with a situation.

"Oh shoot, I didn't realize the time! I have to go. I'm having lunch with my dad at the hospital in thirty minutes," She broke into my thoughts, in a panic.