Runaway Love

Chapter 3

Los Angeles, California

Lauren

Making our way to our destination, I couldn't help as my thoughts wondered back to the man at the park. I had to admit he was a good looking man but it was so embarrassing when he saw my arm. 

Just thinking about the marks Mr. Williams left on my arm pissed me off. I despise how most men think they can get what ever they want, no questions asked. 

He's lucky I haven't reported his ass for how he did me this morning. I've put up with his antics for a while now but he's never got physical with me before. The only reason I brushed his advances off was because of how his apartments were all I could afford. 

All I know is, now I'm gonna have to watch my back and stay alert. 

Before I could think any further I was broken out of my thoughts by my phone vibrating. Pulling it out my pocket I seen it was my best friend. 

Shaking my head I put my phone back in my pocket. "Come on baby, mama needs to stop by her work." 

Pulling Kam behind me we were soon in front of Mom and Pop's Soul Cafe. Walking in I was immediately greeted by the customers who came on a daily. "Hey ya'll." I said as I waved to everyone. "Have ya'll seen Ms. Loretta?" 

"She in the back sweetheart." Mr. Lamont said. He was an older man who came about three times a day every other day. He's a sweet old man who's his wife died before I started working here and Ms. Loretta said he mostly enjoys the company around him since he lives alone. 

"Thanks Mr. Lamont." 

"Anytime sweetheart. Now you go on to the back and leave lil man with me. I'll keep him company." 

Kissing Kam on the head, I sat him next to Mr. Lamont. "Now don't you give him no problems. I'll be right back." 

"He's always at his best when he's with me." Mr. Lamont replied. "Now go on, leave us men to talk." 

Laughing to myself, I turned around and made my way to the back. "Where you at Ms. Loretta?" 

"I'm in my office child. Now why you coming in on your day off? You know I love when you come, but you need to rest sometime little girl."

Walking into her office I sat in the chair across from her. "I know, but theirs no time to rest when you gotta pay bills and put food in your kids mouth." Slowly she nodded her head.

"Now, what's wrong baby?" 

Wringing my hands together I couldn't get the words to leave my mouth. I hated asking for help but just the thought of what might happen to me if I didn't ask scared me more. 

"Do you need me to watch Kam? You know I have no problem what so ever watching him." Taking a deep breath I began, " Well that is part of the reason I'm here. I have work tonight at the club and I do need someone to watch him but..." 

"What is it baby?"

Taking another deep breath I began again, " Well you see I was wondering if it was possible I could get my check ahead of time. I know we don't get paid till next Friday, but I really need the money." 

Looking up at Ms. Loretta I could see a frown forming on her face. "What's the money for? Please don't tell me its for no drugs. You too pretty to be doing drugs." 

"No ma'am, I promise it's not for drugs. My rent is coming up and I really need to make sure I pay it on time." 

"Is there anyway your landlord can extend the due date till Friday." She asked.

Just the mention having an extension on rent made my eyes big. "No ma'am There's no way we can do that. Please, I promise I won't ask again. This will be the only time I ever ask."  At this point I was pleading with Ms. Loretta. 

Coming from around her desk, Ms. Loretta pulled me into a hug. "Child, relax. Come on now, take a deep breath. Now what's got you so freaked out? You can talk to me." Shaking my head against her chest, I couldn't tell her. 

"I just really need to pay my rent." 

Grabbing a tissue from her desk, she began to dab my eyes. "Okay baby. I'm gonna give you your check, but this is the only time I'm gonna do this okay? I love you like if you were my own but we also gotta have boundaries when it comes to work. Okay? Now dry your eyes, and put a smile on that pretty face. You have a son out there who doesn't need to see you like this." 

Nodding my head, I began trying to pull myself together. Looking down as Ms. Loretta filled out the check, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of relief cloud over my body. Now I know this won't cover all my rent but it would help out a lot.

"Now what time do you go in tonight?" She asked as she handed me the check. 

"I go in at five, so is it okay if I drop Kam off around four?" 

"Yeah thats fine and go ahead and pack him an overnight bag. I don't need you worrying about coming to get him so late. You're gonna need your rest." She said as we walked out to the back. 

"Yes ma'am." I replied. 

Turning my head, I looked on as Kam and Mr.Lamont laughed about something only God knows. 

"Alright now, go on and get everything situated. I'll see ya'll later." 

Hugging Ms. Loretta one last time, I watched as she moved around the cafe talking to everyone. 

"Alright Kam, its time to go." I said as I walked towards him and Mr. Lamont. "Thank you for keeping him company." Waving his hand up and down Mr. Lamont replied, "Ain't no problem at all sweetheart. Me and lil man always have a good time together." 

Smiling I waved goodbye to Mr. Lamont, while Kam gave him a hug. "Bye Mr. Lamont." We said in unison. 

Walking out the cafe, we made our way back to our apartment. "Your gonna stay the night with Ms. Loretta. Okay?" Nodding his head up and down Kam responded, "I love Ms. Retta." 

Smiling down at him, I couldn't help the little ache in my chest when he said that. I'm glad he was able to have a grandma like figure in his life, but sometimes I wish things were different. But that feeling only lasts for a moment when I think of all the pain my so called family has put me through. 

Shaking my head from the angry thoughts that consumed me, we continued our walk to our apartment, the only sound coming from Kam as he sang his ABC's.