How Far? (Book l)

Part 9: "I'll manage."

"Open the door!" I screamed banging on the door like my life depended on it. In secs Hersh had opened it with a confused look like he didn't just drop a bombshell on me."throw this on the charger and What do you mean Tash is pregnant?" He widened the door enough for me to walk in and gestured for me to take a seat. "She keeps throwing up!" He replied. "Really Hersh?" "She keeps throwing up" I mocked "That all you have to support your claim?" Gosh I was sounding like my mother. A lawyer. He made his way to the microwave and retrieved his popcorn. "Trey came in the joint today." "What Tasha ex Trey?" I leaned up all of sudden interested in what he had to say "Well what did he say?" "Surprisingly he apologized. He apologized for everything he did to me, you and Tash." A moment of silence fell over us. We didn't know whether it was good or bad.Hersh continued. "He mentioned how he had been in prison for the past 2 years and just been released about 4 days ago. He's been attending extended church services throughout the week since." Hershe threw his hands in his lap. "I believe Him. Trey in a church suit using big words I bought it!" I sat for minutes unable to respond something wasn't right! "Tash never told us he was locked up." "Duh if she did, there is no way he could have been the father! We would have questioned her." Hersh had a point. "Trey is not lying he showed his release papers Hope. as much as I hate the guy he changed.'' how can someone of that nature just up and change overnight I didn't buy it. "She constantly vomits, she has the strongest immune system out of all of us when has she been sick? Name once and I will shut the hell up!" he was right once again ,Tash was never sick not from all the years I've known her. "When I had a run in with Chris she came from the bathroom again like she threw up." "And to add to that." yelled Hersh. "She threw up today at Dunkin Donuts when we met to discuss our science project for Mrs Greer class. She left her phone on the table... opened!" Hersh stood up, I can feel his effort of about to brag kicking in. "So you know ya girl found the number." She's been texting for a while now it stood out because she's been talking freaky." Hersh let out a laugh. "So I saved it. It dates back to July so whoever this guy is most likely the babyfather." I wanted to stop him from invading tash privacy but at the same time I wanted to know too. Hersh waved the number back and forth across my face provoking me. "If this true, Let's give her a chance to come clean. If not we call." I said "Give me the word!" Hersh responded.

All of sudden my phone vibrated from a text that read: Can we talk? this chris. "What? How did he get my number?" I turned my phone to show Hersh and all he did was snicker. "Yeah about that, Chris came in the joint too." Why did you give it to him!" " "He payed me 300$ for it. You think I was going to say no?" " So you sell me out hersh really!" "Girl you don't have to text back. boom problem solved!" I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. " Wow you're really mad? " I don't want no sort of contact with him, and here your friendly ass or should I say salesman selling my damn number." I opened the door and stormed out. "Get over it. Besides Marocco wants you and tash back on shift, so work tomorrow!" Hersh slammed the door not giving a damn that I hadn't even made it to the car yet. But whatever! I took the long drive home and pulled into the yard. I stepped out to make my way in- "So you're just gonna ignore my message?" I turned to see chris making his way towards me. "Why you here, let me guess Hersh sold that to you too. Chris was now standing in front of me giving off a creepy vibe. " I really wish you didn't come to the other side of town." "Um why? " "It made you my priority Hope as much I don't want to deal with you, I'll manage." I slowly bagged away from him while I searched for my house key. " I d-d-d don't know what you're talking about , I don't need your help." "Put your selfishness to the side and save the number I watched as he walked across the street to his parked car ,slammed the door shut and sped off. I walked to the curb and sat down "Hope you need a break"... I thought to myself.