NO LONGER THERE

CLUSTER EIGHT

STICKS AND STONES

I don't know who was more shamed, me or Hershey.

I looked like hell after completing a five A.M radio interview, then hopping on a plane back to Austin. Raina arranged for the remainder of my Chicago promotions to be completed by phone. She and I would regroup in Atlanta the next week.

I lay on Hershey's bed, tired as I looked, waiting for her to stop crying. Poppa Phillips attorney's 'fixed' the charges, paid Taylor not to take that ass whippin personally, threw off the blood thirsty media and used their connections to arrange for Hershey to receive community service for the remainder of the summer. Poppa Phillips did not do drama, particularly with his family's reputation at stake. I didn't like it, but for Hershey's sake, I was grateful.

"Should I come back?" I asked.

She wasn't talking, and I wasn't in the mood to let her well run dry.

She sniffled. "No, I'm sorry, Abes."

"What are you sorry for?"

More sniffles. "For sneaking out to the party and embarrassing you."

"I'm over the party thing, Hershey. I knew you were going the second you asked me about it, and you can never embarrass me. What I'm bothered by is you putting your hands on another person. You don't have the right to violate anyone like that."

I pulled up the photo's one of Poppa Phillip's lawyers sent. I was low key impressed. Nana was right, she beat Taylor's behind. I had no idea my little sister was such a bruiser.

"She don't have the right to say stupid stuff out of her mouth either."

I sat up and faced Hershey. "Look at me sweetie."

Her cloudy gray eyes broke my heart.

"People can say what they feel, no matter how stupid, that's their right. What you will learn is you can't control others, their actions or opinions. You, my love, only have complete control over yourself."

"I did have control, every time I beat her stupid face."

What alien replaced my innocent little angel? I had to blink twice to be sure it was my baby sister I was looking at.

"No, Hershey, that's not control. That's fear. Part of you was terrified by what she said and you didn't control that fear, it controlled you."

"I'm not going to let people say mean things about you, Abes, I'm just not."

I had to laugh. I couldn't believe was having this conversation with someone who just started pronouncing v's.

 "Hey, Layla Ali, I get it, and I appreciate you having my back, but no one, not even me, should be more important than what is best for your life. You beating the crap out of loud mouthed teenagers is not a good look."

She grinned. "Not even if they deserved it?"

"Hershey."

"Fine, I get it, dang." 

She groaned, thenrolled those pretty eyes, but I knew she was listening.

"What scared you about what Taylor said?"

Hershey shrugged.

"Don't make me go Lillian Rose Reed on you."

She dropped her head and lowered her voice.

"I don't know. Maybe because I hear you crying sometimes?"

I cleared my throat and shifted on her butterfly comforter.