I heard the front door creak open, and soft footsteps echo throughout the house.
"Chres?" I called out to my husband, but no one answered me. I quickly put on my robe and reached for the emergency pistol he kept hidden in the top drawer; fright washing over me.
"Chresanto?" The steps made an inaudible creaking noise as I crept down the stairs and into the living room. There was a shadow in the kitchen, and the only light was the dim glow from the refrigerator.
Stepping onto the cold tile floor, I flicked on the lights, pointing the gun at the unidentified stranger. The person raised their hands in surrender and dropped a pack of lunch meat onto the floor.
It was only Chresanto, who looked half dead in the face. I sat the pistol onto the counter and heaved a sigh.
"What are you a doing!" I slightly gasped, still a little annoyed that he had me so scared.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, work was just very.. hectic today," he said running his fingers through his short curls. I noticed the level of stress weighing over him, I kissed his cheek and massaged his shoulders gently.
"I just need to get my mind off of work," he mumbled. I untied my robe and it dropped to the floor.
"I can help you with that."
____________________________________________
I had told Lori to inform all of my clients that I would be taking a week hiatus on all cases. I was traveling to Compton, to handle some "family business" or at least that's what I told Lailah. She insisted on coming but I refused, telling her that my mom was very sick and contagious. I had to tell her a small white lie so she wouldn't worry about my true intentions. I was going to Compton to visit Jacob's mother, because I know I couldn't trust anything the file said because those were all lies Jacob made up to come and find me.
I was hoping his mother would give me some type of clarification, even though she hasn't heard or seen Jacob in over eight years. I remember the day like it was yesterday:
The week following Rayan's funeral, Jacob's mother claimed he went missing. The case wasn't officially opened until two days later, or forty-eight hours, because that's how long it takes for a person to be considered missing. I had already felt guilty about Ray dying, because I felt that it was my fault and then with Jacob missing, I felt like God was punishing me repeatedly. One week later I had announced that I was living California and attending college in Atlanta, when truly I was just clearing my head from everything going on back home. I seemed to escape the guilt then, and now that I was returning it seemed to be coming back.
The flight attendant announced the departure of my flight and I swung my bag over my shoulders, joining the line that was already forming at the gates. I was traveling to a place I haven't been in years; my home, California.
_______________________________________
The plane landed and the Californian summer air warmed me. I sighed, missing home so much; I signaled a cab and gave them the address.
I arrived at a home I haven't seen in so long. I knocked on the door, peering over my shoulder at the driveway, seeing a line of cars.
My half intoxicated sister answered the door and she looked like she saw a ghost as she stared me down.
"Ch-Chresanto?" She slurred out, dropping the plastic cup filled with whatever alcoholic beverage she was drinking.
"Yeah, it's me Prehia." I gave her a small smile before she erupted in tears. I held her close as she sobbed on my shoulder in the doorway. I looked into the house and saw everyone staring at us. Some of the faces were family members I recognized, others were just unfamiliar. My mother came from the kitchen, holding a wooden spoon.
"Prehia what is going on?" She asked, wiping her hands on her apron. She froze when she saw me, and had to do a double take to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
"Is that my baby boy?" Her voice cracked and tears threatened to spill down her face. She ran over to the door and hugged me tightly, never wanting to let go.
"Oh I've missed you so much." She cried hugging me even tighter. The last time I saw them was Thanksgiving two years ago, since then I've been too busy with work to come and visit. They brought me into the house and I sat with some of the family. I caught up with them and they asked about my life, my job, and Lailah of course.
"Is the sex good?" My uncle asked, causing me chuckle a little.
"Yeah, the sex is pretty good Unc."
"How good is pretty good?" He asked leaning in a little closer and throwing a wink my way. My aunt plucked him in his forehead, telling him to stop his dumb questions.
"When do we get to meet her?" My grandma asked sitting back in the reclining chair.
"I'll bring her by on Christmas."
My mother called me back into the kitchen to help her with something. She held a spoon to my lips, asking me to taste the food she was preparing.
"What brings you by anyway?" She asked, stirring whatever was in the pot. I hopped onto the island and kicked my legs back and forth, thinking of a quick lie. I didn't want my mother to worry about Jacob, or me and Lailah's safety. She would immediately call the police and with me being away who knows what he could do to Lailah.
"I'm in town on a business trip for a few days, and my boss suggested I stay in a hotel but why would I when I have family in town that I haven't seen in almost three years." She smiled and took the biscuits out of the oven.
"I'm glad you're dropping by, everyone has missed you so much. It's nice telling people that my son works for the famous Wayne Warren and is married to his daughter, but it's better if they ask you all the questions theirselves."
"I missed you all too."
I felt bad about lying to my mother, but I couldn't risk putting her and Prehia in danger. I released a low sigh and tugged at my hair as my mother called everyone to the table for dinner. I'm in some real deep shit.
After saying a prayer, we all dived into our food. Laughing, sharing jokes, memories, experiences, and details about our current lives. Jacob and what he said weighed heavy on my mind all night. Tomorrow I'm seeing his mother, she could possibly give me answers on his condition and how I could handle him without him hurting Lailah. I'm willing to do whatever it takes.
Whatever it takes.
