Street Love (An Interracial Love Story)

Chapter 27

Evie’s POV

I hang on to Tony’s hand as he falls back asleep then get up to find myself some food. I head down to the cafeteria and see that they’re serving meatloaf, salad and some sandwiches. Nothing looks appetizing. Even though my stomach is grumbling, all I really want right now are some of Tony's tamales.

I walk out of the cafeteria and make my way to Tony’s room. When I walk in, his mom is sitting in the chair I was in and she’s holding his hand. As I get closer, I realize she’s crying. I knock lightly on the doorframe. When she looks up, she dries her tears and gives me a tight smile.

“Hola mija.” Her voice is so shaky.

I walk into the room and bend down to hug her.

“Hey Mamí.” I kiss her on the cheek and she sighs.

“I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming,” she says after a moment. “The money, him coming home late, random scars. All the signs were there and I didn’t see it. I just feel like I’ve failed him.”

"It's not your fault. You've been so busy with work and it seemed like Tony was getting better with his drinking and school. He hid it really well. I didn't even find out until last night." I watch Tony sleep for a moment and then turn to face his mom. "At least now he's out. You won't have to worry about him anymore."

She wipes away a stray tear on her cheek. "That's true. I just hate seeing mi hijo hurt like this."

I hug her again and we stay like that for a few minutes.

“Where’s Emily?” I finally ask.

"She's with Carlos and his sister for the day. I didn't want to tell her about Tony. She looks up to her hermano so much. I just didn't want her to see him like this.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I think that’s a good decision. Emily would just be heartbroken.”

Tony’s mom nods and looks back at Tony, who is starting to wake up.

"Ma?" Tony blinks a few times until his eyes focus.

"Hi Antonio." Tony's mom gives him a warm smile and takes his hand in hers.

Tony tries to sit up and sucks in a breath when his arm shifts.

"You should probably take this now." I give Tony the pills the nurse left earlier and throw away the cup when he's done.

"How did you know I was here?" Tony turns to look at his mom.

"Evie." She motions to me. "And Carlos told me what happened too when he came to get Emily."

“Oh.” Tony looks away from his mom and looks at me. “Do you mind if we have a moment?”

“Yeah, sure.” I smile softly at the two of them and close the door behind me. As soon as I look up, I’m standing face to face with Keisha. And she doesn’t look happy.

“Hey girl,” I start shyly. “What are you doin—

“Shut up Evie.” She glares at me.

“Excuse me?”

“Did I stutter?” She comes toe-to-toe with me. "I’m here for Tony, not you.”

I’m actually really confused.

“Wha—

“Don’t play that sweet-wanna-be-white-girl game with me. Tony and I used to have the best sex ever and I’m here to win him back.”

“What in the world Keisha?”

“Do I need to spell this out for you Evette? Once Tony is out of this hospital room, it’s gon be me an’ him again. You obviously ain’t know what’s best for him or he wouldn’t be here.”

That hurt. A lot.

“I… I don’t know what your problem is Keisha.” I’m trying my hardest to keep it together. After everything that happened today, this is the last thing I need.

“Tony and I are in love with each other. So I think you need to back up and go find another guy.”

“Go to hell Evie.” Keisha jabs her shoulder into me, walks by and enters Tony’s room. I honestly don’t know what to do.

My thoughts drift back to the afternoon when Tony, Keisha and I went to get hot chocolate. I never expected her to try and get back with Tony. She hated him. I keep replaying her words in my head and I can't believe that the girl I used to be best friends with is acting like this.

After a few minutes, Keisha walks back out of Tony's room.

"His mom was so happy to see me." She gives me a fake, sickly sweet smile. "She told me stop by anytime. Especially because Tony is gonna need more help around the house with Emily."

"Whatever Keisha. I don't have time for this today."

"You're gonna wish you did." Keisha glares at me one last time and then walks off down the hallway.

I shake my head at her back and then open the door to Tony's room.

Tony and his mom are speaking Spanish but they pause and both look up at me when I walk into the room.

"Um. Since you're here I'm gonna go home. I haven't been home since 6 and my mom has to go to work soon." My conversation with Keisha has put me on edge. What if Tony--?

"Okay mija." Tony's mom walks over and gives me a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispers in my ear. "You've been so good for him."

She pulls back and smiles at me. I smile back and then walk over to Tony.

He doesn't say anything about Keisha and neither do I but all of a sudden it feels like there's tension in the room.

"I guess I'll see you soon negrita?" Tony looks up at me from the bed.

"Yeah." I bend down to place a kiss on his cheek. As I get closer to him, I smell a hint of Victoria's Secret perfume. It's exactly what Keisha was wearing.

I quickly peck Tony on the cheek then shuffle out the door before I let my emotions get the best of me.