my assistant attempt to call once a day in the hopes that at some point she’d pick up. Last I heard he got some male who told my assistant to screw off and stop calling. Though he didn’t say screw.” Sonia blew on her tea as she raised her brows for emphasis.
“I’ve sent weekly texts and have heard nothing in two months. Has anyone gone over there?” Blessing asked.
Charlie nodded. “Yeah, Gen goes over at least once a week and tries to catch her since her apartment is close to her work, but no dice.”
“I’ve attempted to catch her at the bars she’s frequented in the past and nothing. Ever since that blowout with the dude who stole from Mama Kerri, she’s been incommunicado. My guess, she’s feeling really embarrassed and not taking it well. I’ll try her house again too.” I sipped my tea and sighed.
“Tabby’s loser boyfriends are the least of our concerns. She should be here. I left a message last night telling her that Simone was shot at and almost became a victim of the Backseat Strangler and heard nothing. No text. No call. Zip. What the heck is that about?” Charlie asked on a snarl, her bright red ponytail swinging with her anger.
Sonia ran a hand down my back. “She’s right. Family sticks together and she’s avoiding all of us, especially when we need her most. We need to find her, sit her down, and give her a little intervention of sorts. Help her work through whatever’s going on in her life. Cut out the riff raff, scrape off the losers, and help her get back on her feet. I’m really worried about her.”
“She’s always been a little different,” Mama commented as she placed a tea towel over her shoulder. “Tabby never has been able to handle her demons the way you girls have. It’s always been a struggle, but she’s our family and we’ll be here for her, no matter what the cost. That’s how I raised my girls and I expect you to go to your sister with open arms.” A blonde eyebrow rose in question as she looked at each one of us.
A chorus of, “Yes, Mama,” rang through the open kitchen.
“So, what did the cops say? Do they really for sure think it was the Backseat Strangler?” Addy asked.
I nodded and then shrugged. “I’m supposed to touch base with Agent Fontaine this afternoon. He should know more. He’s the agent who saved my life. Thank God he was wearing a vest…” My eyes glazed over as I remembered the four shots ringing out into the dark night.
I jerked a few times as the memory of each shot going off jolted through my system.
Sonia scooched over to me and wrapped her arms around me from behind. I leaned against her warmth, shaken by the memory.
“It’s okay. You’re safe,” she whispered.
I shivered for a moment and then bit down on my bottom lip, trying desperately to ward off the tears that wanted to come.
“I’m stronger than this…” I whispered, and she nodded against my shoulder.
“Yep. One of the strongest people I know,” she agreed.
Each one of my sisters came over to me, Blessing and Addy at my sides, Charlie and Liliana down on their hunches. Sonia at my back. Every one of their hands on my body felt like a bolt of energy powering through my form and charging me up with their love and support.
“I love you guys. So much. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I swallowed down the emotion and sniffled a little.
“Good thing you’re never gonna have to find out,” Charlie rubbed a hand down my thigh. “Right, ladies?”
“Sho’nuff!”
“Sisters forever!”
“Hermanas!”
“Family,” Sonia said against my ear before placing a kiss there. “Love you.”
“Man, I’m the luckiest woman in the world.” I had most of my family around me, safe and sound, except for Genesis who I’d see tonight along with Rory after Genesis got off work. And hopefully Tabby soon, if that damn woman would get her head outta her booty long enough to talk to one of us.
“Okay, well, I’m gonna need to shower and do some serious baking in order to get through today. The agents are coming later and I’m heading over to my place to get a week or two’s worth of clothes. Mama, it’s cool if I stay here?”
“Chicklet, don’t be silly or absurd. This is your home. You always have a place to stay. All of you girls do, and any family