Treacherous Desire

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

"I told you I didn't want him going there," Kameron fussed Rozalynne out the next day once she informed him that Malik had been at the center. "Did you beat his ass?" Kameron snapped.

"No, Kameron, I didn't. I think he needs to stay there. This might be the best thing for him," Rozalynne asserted.

"I don't recall asking you what you think, Rozalynne," Kameron hissed.

"Kameron, all I'm saying is this might be good for him. Let him have something for himself. Even Julian thinks he can learn a lot from him." The second those words escaped from Rozalynne's mouth, she regretted it and wished she could take them back.

Without warning or hesitation, Kameron grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall. He squeezed her neck tight and his eyes pierced her soul.

Rozalynne wiggled and scratched his arms, trying to pry his hands off her, but to no avail. Her breathing was escalating in a panic and her eyes began to roll back up in her head.

"Remember this, bitch, 'cause if you ever throw that nigga's name up in my face in my house again, I'm going to choke the living shit out of you," Kameron snarled, letting her go.

Rozalynne slumped down to the floor, gasping for breath, holding her neck, sniffling. Tears poured from her eyes and hatred filled her heart.

"I have to work overtime again tonight. When I get back, you and that hardheaded son of yours better be here," Kameron barked.

******

Malik stood at his door listening to his parents' every word. He'd heard them arguing, so he rushed to the door to hear what they were talking about.

As he figured, his dad was upset that he was going to the center and even more upset that Rozalynne was allowing it. Rozalynne refused to back down. This made Malik smile for a slight second. Then it all went quiet, however, and he could hear gagging sounds. As much as he wanted to rush to his mother's defense, he just wasn't ready yet.

After hearing the front door slammed, confirming that his father was gone for the rest of the day, he rushed into his parents' bedroom to check on his mom.

Anger surged through Malik the minute he walked into his parents' room and saw Rozalynne laid up against the wall, catching her breath with tears soaking her face.

He rushed into their bathroom, grabbed a cloth from the cabinet, wet it, and hurried back over to his mom. He kneeled down and cupped her face. Evident thumb prints were on each side of her neck.

Rozalynne closed her eyes, too ashamed and embarrassed to look at her son.

Malik couldn't take his eyes off Rozalynne's face. He made a mental note of how many bruises covered her face, neck, and other body parts. He wanted cry for her. It was right then when he realized he could no longer be her baby boy anymore. He had to step up, be a man, and get her as far away from his father as possible.

"Why you keep letting him do this, Ma?" Malik finally mustered up enough nerve to ask.

"Junior, baby, you're too young to understand what's going on," Rozalynne sadly replied.

"I may be young, but what he does to you is wrong, Ma. It's wrong." Malik sighed heavily.

"Junior..."

"I told you to stop calling me Junior. I go by Malik now." Malik's tone was serious. "Why'd you name me after him anyway?" Malik had always wanted an answer to that question.