The Preachers Daughter

Chapter Thirty-Three

"Stop right here, Gino," I instructed. Gino pulled the truck by the curb then killed the engine. I looked outside of the tinted window and took a deep inhale and exhale. Since I didn't have Donnie and his bullshit plan to worry about anymore, I needed to move on to my other important business. I knew if I asked Levon to his face what his true intentions are, he'd give me some bullshit story. I figured the only way to get to the truth, or at least some form of it anyway, is to go to the people who were there when everything went down. I got out of the truck and gave Gino the signal to go ahead. I didn't want them intimidated by him so I thought it best to have him park further down the street and I'd call him when I was ready. The wind blew viciously, making me pull my COACH jacket tighter around my body. Quickly, I walked up those familiar steps and lightly knocked on the door. I heard someone yell that they were coming then the door swung open. Zy'Air's aunt looked me up and down and folded her arms across her chest.

"You're that little girl who broke my sister's wrist," she said with an attitude.

"Well, maybe your sister should learn to keep her hands to herself from now on."

She scoffed then slammed the door in my face. I rolled my eyes, knowing she was going to be a bitch. I reached in the mailbox that was by the front door and pulled out an old envelope that was probably from the 1990's. I opened it and pulled out the spare key to the door. I remembered in Zy'Air and I early days of dating he would grab it when he forgot his key or when Melody would lock us out by mistake. I put the key in the lock and let myself in. Zy'Air's aunt quickly came from probably one of the back rooms. 

"Oh, so you breaking in now!" She yelled, going towards the kitchen for most likely a weapon. She turned around with a kitchen knife and noticed I already had a gun pulled. I pointed it at her in case she decided to go crazy.

"I didn't come here to hurt you," I said.

"Says the woman pointing a gun."

"You pulled a knife first."

"How the hell did you even get in here?"

I held the key in the air. "I've been here more times than you know."

She shifted from one foot to another then slowly put the knife down on the counter. I showed her I wasn't going to attack her then slowly tucked my gun behind me in the waistband of my jeans.

"Well, little girl-"

"Zoyanna," I said interrupting her. "My name is Zoyanna."

She cleared her throat and straightened out her blouse. "You can call me Neava. What do you want?"

I took a deep breath. "May I sit down?"

"Sure. Want something to drink?"

"Water would be nice."

She nodded then went to the kitchen. I went and sat down at the small table that was close by. She pulled two glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice. She opened the fridge and grabbed a pitcher of what I'm assuming is water. She poured the water into the glasses then brought the glasses to the table. She sat across from me, picking up the glass and taking a sip. 

"So, you live here now?" I asked her.

She nodded. "I just couldn't part ways with this place. And unlike my older sisters, I have pleasant memories here."

"Why didn't they?"

She shrugged. "My brother, Quintin, And I are the youngest of mama's kids. Who knows what their issues were."

"If you have such good memories, where were you all these years when she was sick? And why was it that Zy'Air was the one taking care of her and any of you?"