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“Nicholas…”
I met her gaze, but didn’t respond.
“Nicholas…”
She gripped my arm firmly. “Nicholas Michael Navarro. I’m your mother. Remember, you came from my womb. I know you all too well. What did you do?”
I shrugged. “They’ve been brought to justice, Mom. Believe me.”
“What did you do?”
Lying to my mother wasn’t possible. Providing very little detail was my only option. “Just trust me. They’ve been dealt with.”
She sighed. “Your friend needs help. What’s her name? I’ll pray for her.”
“Her name doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me her name so I can include her in my prayers.”
I needed all the help I could get. “Peyton.”
She nodded and released my arm. “You’ve got a convincing way about you, Nicholas. Convince your friend to get help. If nothing else, bring her in to see me.”
I stood up. “I’m not bringing her in.”
“People listen to you. They always have. God gave you a gift. Use it.” She reached out and poked me in the chest. “And what did I tell you about wearing that thing in this house?”
“I was in a hurry.”
“I wish you’d grow up and get out of that gang. I feel like we failed you every time I see you wearing that thing.”
“It’s not a gang, it’s a club.”
“Call it whatever makes you feel better about it. It’s a gang. And, when you wear it, you’re a gang member. You’re going to get shot one of these days, and probably for nothing more than wearing that ridiculous thing. Get your friend some help. And go talk to your father, he misses you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
She hugged me and kissed my cheek. “I love you, too.”
She told me exactly what I expected. Peyton’s hope of sweeping her assault under the rug wasn’t going to work. If she wanted to recover, she would need to seek the help a professional.
I walked into the living room.
My father cleared his throat. “Sit down.”
I sat on the sofa across from him. He reached for the remote control, turned up the volume on the television, and leaned forward in his seat.
“They still alive?”
I wrinkled my brow. “Who?”
He arched his brow.
My father may have been elderly by most people’s standards, but his hearing was fantastic. His service in the Navy taught him to be attentive, if nothing else.
I glanced over my shoulder. My mother was putting up the dishes. I turned to face him. “For now.”
He relaxed in his seat, folded his arms across his chest, and exhaled. “Don’t you dare get caught.”
