Careful of the Company You Keep Read Free Page A

even the father of her child. She lied to me! Ron never touched her. He tried to tell me she was lying, yet I refused to listen.
    The pipes grew quiet, which meant Portia had turned the water off. I returned the journal to where I had found it underneath a towel and quickly exited her room before I did something crazy. I then moved down the hall to my bedroom and made two calls and simply said, “Get over here or I’m killing her ass,” then went downstairs to wait.
    Fifteen minutes later, I was down in the kitchen walking laps around the table with a butcher knife in my hand, still contemplating murder. Portia came bouncing down the stairs in shorts and a T-shirt, looking like any typical sixteen-year-old. “Mmmm, Mama, that smells good! Is it time to eat yet?”
    I glanced over at her lying ass, wanting so badly to take that pot of hot spaghetti sauce and fling it at her head and burn the shit out of her. Hummph! And then we would be even, because Portia had burned me good with all her lies.
    â€œWhy don’t you set the table?” I suggested between gritted teeth.
    She nodded obediently, then moved over to the counter and reached inside the cabinets. I watched her work, wondering how someone who looked so innocent could be so slick. A beautiful full-figured girl built like a woman since fifth grade. I had no idea until recently she knew how to use every last curve to get what she wanted.
    â€œSet an extra plate. Your grandmother is coming over.” And she better hurry, because I don’t know how much longer before I snap.
    â€œMama, I’m so glad Ron doesn’t live here anymore. I really enjoy having you all to myself again.”
    That’s because I kicked his ass out. Breathe, girl, breathe! She ain’t worth it. Ten, nine, eight, seven . . . I was seconds away from flinging that knife across the room when thank goodness the doorbell rang.
    Portia dashed off to answer it. I took another deep breath, then pulled the garlic bread out of the oven. My mama entered wearing a worried look on her face. I placed a finger to my lips, halting any questions. “Let’s eat.”
    We all took a seat, Mama to my right, Portia directly across from me. I waited until we were all eating before I broke the silence. “I decided to call the police.”
    Portia’s eyes grew wide.
    â€œFor what?” Mama asked with concern.
    I continued eating and didn’t even bother looking her way. My eyes were glued to my daughter’s face. “I’m filing charges against Ron for rape.”
    Mama nodded in agreement. “About time! I told you you should have done that the second you found out. Hopefully it’s not too late.”
    Portia reached for her Kool-Aid and took a sip.
    Uh-uh, she wasn’t getting off that easy. “We probably won’t be able to go to court until the baby is born because they’re going to need DNA evidence. Once they have that and are able to prove the baby is Ron’s, it’s off to prison for the next twenty years.” My eyes got small and never left hers.
    Portia squirmed uncomfortably on the seat. “Can’t we just leave it alone?”
    â€œWhy? I should have pressed charges against him the minute I found out, but instead I wanted to protect you.”
    She lowered her head, trying to avoid eye contact.
    Mama pointed her fork at her granddaughter. “Listen to your mama. What that man did was against the law.” She started shaking her head. “Lord knows I had a bad feeling about that thug living in this house. I just knew something bad would come out of this.”
    â€œB-But I . . . I don’t want to have to face him in court,” Portia stuttered nervously.
    I just bet you don’t. “You don’t have to. The lawyers can put a case together without you if they need to. As soon as we get done eating, we’re going down and file charges.”
    Portia dropped her fork and started