Page 323 of When a Soul Cries

Mack.

That bus.

Thirty-seven dollars.

Two pink lines.

Halo.

Cash Market.

Register six.

The eviction notice.

The motel.

Every night I'd cried quietly because I didn't know how much more I could take.

There had been so many moments when my entire future had been reduced to making it through one more day.

And somehow none of it had destroyed me.

I was still here.

When Zari and I reached the front, Roman's eyes were red.

He didn't even try to hide it.

Zari looked at him before she released me.

“Take care of my girl.”

The humor disappeared from Roman's face.

He looked directly at her and nodded once. “With everything in me.”

Zari held his gaze another second, apparently deciding whether she believed him.

Then she placed my hand into his.

His fingers closed around mine.

Warm.

Strong.

Familiar.

Safe.

Halo immediately leaned toward me from his other arm.

“Mama.”

Everybody laughed.

I reached out and kissed her cheek.