Zero Degrees Part 1 Read Free Page A

that in had to be linked to Goody’s lifestyle
    Officer Greyson glanced at me as he spoke. “You ready?” He asked as if I had a choice.
    I nodded and they escorted me to the car. I didn’t even bother looking back at my mother. She couldn’t see it yet, because her only concern other than me was the dope and money, but I’d saved her life. It didn’t matter if it meant that I had to give up my own for a while. I would’ve done it again if I had to. On the way to the police station I still felt no remorse.
    “Good riddance,” I said out loud.
    “What was that?” Officer Stephens asked as he looked back at me.
    “Oh nothing,” I said smiling as I stared out of the window. I’d actually enjoyed killing Goody. I felt a high as I filled his body with hot steel and watched him take his last breath.
     

Chapter 2
    1994
    “Zeaira, your mom is here to see you,” Mrs. McGee, the only CO I liked, said as she smiled warmly at me. I had been at Kennedy House Juvenile Detention for a few months and I hated being there. I got up off my bunk and followed her to the visitation room.
    “She looks really good,” Mrs. McGee said giving me a knowing nod. We’d talked a few times about my mom’s addiction to cocaine and alcohol. She’d been clean for four months and I was proud of her.
    “Thanks Mrs. McGee,” I said graciously as I scanned the small area for my mom’s familiar face. I spotted her sitting at a table in the center of the room. She looked better than I’d seen her look in years. Her long, straight, coal black hair looked healthy and shiny and her dark brown eyes were clear and bright. I had the same long, curly lashes she did, but I’d gotten my light brown eyes brown my father. She was about 5’7 with a curvaceous frame. At one point Marissa Alvarez-Rowe knew just how beautiful she was. That was a long time ago, before my father was killed and before she met Goody. I hoped she was getting back to her old self.
    “Mom,” I said with a big smile on my face. She stood up and pulled me close to her in a warm embrace. She smelled so good and the little girl in me wanted to go home with her.
    She patted my hair. “What did you do mamacita?” Her Cuban accent was still evident.
    “I cut it,” I said as we sat down.
    “Why’d you cut your beautiful hair off chica?” She frowned. “I love your hair. It’s just like your father’s.” She smiled as she mentioned him.
    “It’ll grow back mom. You look so beautiful,” I said touching her cheek lovingly.
    “Thanks baby. It’s going on five months now that I’ve been clean. Your friend Buff came by to bring you some more money a while back. He really tries to look out for you. Anyway, I could that tell he is a hustler who needed a bigger come up. I gave him the rest of the coke I had stashed and that was the last day I got high.”
    “You did what?” I asked in shock as I scooted my chair closer to make sure that no one could hear us.
    “I gave him the rest of it. He was going through his pockets to find the money that he had to give to you when a few cocaine rocks fell out his pants. He was so embarrassed.” My mother chuckled and then continued. “I surprised him and gave him the coke. You should have seen the look in his eyes. Two days later he brought back seven thousand dollars. His ass surprised me. I wouldn’t accept it. You know I’ve been going to church with your auntie.” Mama gave me serious expression as I contemplated what she said. Things were starting to add up. Buff had put several thousand dollars on my books. He continued to send me lots of money on a monthly basis. That was his way of showing love for what my mom had done.
    Mama quickly changed the subject with a sad face as she wrung her hands nervously in her lap.
    “Oh, baby girl, I miss you so much.” Tears were moistening her eyes.
    “Don’t cry ma. I’m fine. The next three years will fly by. Okay.”
    “I haven’t seen you shed a tear one time since