Imagined Love Read Free

somehow had an explanation for what was happening. The two of them had rushed to reapply Willa’s makeup in an effort to hide the cuts and bruises and keep Jade from being upset.
    “But how did you . . .?”
    “You only put this much stuff on your face when he hits you.” Jade said.
    “Oh, baby,” Willa groaned, embracing her daughter tightly. She had never felt more ashamed or humiliated in her life! So many times she’d plastered her face with makeup thinking she was shielding Jade when it had only made her more aware of the violence in their home. “I’m so sorry, baby girl,” she said, looking Jade in the eyes. “But Mommy’s gonna fix everything. Next week you and I will be moving into our own place and we’re gonna be happy again. You’ll be able to have your friends over and we’ll have fun and not have to worry about anything.”
    “We can’t, Mom. Aunt Lydia said Daddy will kill you if you ever tried to take me away from him!” Jade cried, hugging Willa tightly around the waist. “I don’t want you to die, Mom!”
    Willa couldn’t believe her sister-in-law had been stupid enough to say something like that to Jade! No child deserved to have that type of burden placed upon her. Willa was a grown woman and she could barely deal with it. And considering the fact that her and Jade’s lives were basically in shambles, it was safe to say she hadn’t done a very good job of dealing with it. The first time Miles hit her should’ve been the day she took her daughter and walked out the door. Why she ever let Dorothea talk her into staying was a mystery. Panicked and unsure of what to do next, she began to cry. The apartment wouldn’t be ready for another week or so and she couldn’t afford to stay at a hotel. Going to Dorothea’s was not
    something Willa could handle at the moment and involving friends in her marital problems was a mistake she chose not to repeat. Out of ideas on what to do next, she plopped to the floor and cradled her child. The only thing either of them could think to do was cry. So they did.
    “Don’t cry,” Katrina whispered as she knelt beside them. “Please don’t cry. Everything gone be okay.”
    “Thank you, sweetie,” Willa cried, pulling the girl into their embrace. She was touched by Katrina’s concern.
    “Maybe y’all can come to our house,” Cicely volunteered. “We don’t live too far from here. The kids can hang out together while we talk, if you want. And you can take as long as you need to figure out what you wanna do next.”
    “Can we, Mom?” Jade asked, as she wiped away tears.
    “Pleeeease,” Katrina added, with puppy dog eyes.
    Although Willa was a bit unsure about it, going to Cicely’s house did seem like the solution she needed. “Okay,” she finally said. “Oh, but wait, don’t you need to see the principal? I don’t want to keep you from your meeting.”
    “That can wait,” Cicely said, helping Willa to her feet. “I’m sure Ms. James will understand, especially after the way her and that idiot secretary acted behind some rumors and gossip. I can’t stand folks like that,” she ranted as they headed out the front door. “They act like they so professional and superior but then they sit up gossiping and spreading trash about people. I still can’t believe they actually accused me of . . .”
    “Mom, why is your luggage in the car?” Jade asked as she peered through the window.
    Willa had completely forgotten about the suitcases and bags packed in the trunk and backseat of the car and struggled to come up with a reasonable explanation. Jade was too young to understand the truth and it was none of Cicely’s business. Willa reminded her that they were moving and hoped that would be enough to put an end to Jade’s inquiry. Cicely, however, grew even more suspicious. During the fight with her mom, Willa made it seem as if she’d been unconscious on the kitchen floor and then woke up and ran to get Jade. It made no sense to think