Page 37 of Adonis Gates
“I drove my dad’s car to the airport.”
“Then let me pick you up from your people’s spot.”
“I promised my mom to go eat with her when I got back.”
“Oh, y’all can raincheck,” Geri chimed in. “I’m sure she won’t mind, sis.”
“Gerica, shut up,” Jru said and laughed. “Adonis let’s plan to link up like next week. I need to get settled at home and figure out what my next steps are.”
“Ai—” Geri elbowed me, interrupting my sentence. “Naw,” I corrected myself. “I’ll give you tomorrow to get right and spend time with ya family, but the day after that I’m on yo’ ass.”
“You said you’d give me time…”
“I did, but when you back on AC soil, times up, baby girl.”
“Welp, there you have it.” Geri said then finished up her conversation with her sister while I finished her cut.
I’d tuned their conversation out because the wheels in my head were turning. I was serious about pursuing her, so that meant I needed to spend the next twenty-
four hours getting my shit together.
Chapter Twelve
Jruelle.
“Building D.” I mumbled to myself, leaning into the steering wheel a little more to make sure I was in the right place. Once I confirmed that I was, I pulled into an empty spot then parked before shutting the engine off.
I gathered all of my things from the passenger seat then got out. Magnolia Trace always had some crazy behavior going on, so I double checked to make sure I had my mace and taser on standby—just in case I needed it—before I walked into the building, taking the steps to the second floor where the designated door was on my right.
After knocking, I stepped back a little and waited for someone to answer. Seconds later the door creaked open revealing a tired looking woman in her late thirties. She was dressed in a pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Behind her, the sounds of cartoons played faintly in the front room.
“Hi, are you Ms. Franks?” I asked, and she nodded her confirmation. “I’m Jruelle O’Neil with Child and Family Services. We scheduled a home visit for today—just a routine follow up to check on little Carson.”
“Yeah, come in,” she stepped back, pulling the door open more. “Excuse the mess. He’s been home all day terrorizing.”
I stepped inside, discreetly scanning the space to check the condition of the home without making it obvious. There were toys and a few other things out of place as she stated—dishes in the sink, pillows and blankets in the middle of the floor that the baby was probably lying on while watching T.V. since they were right in front of it, but nothing to deem it unfit.
“No worries at all.” I smiled. “I’m not here to judge anyone’s housekeeping. Is Carson around?”
She nodded then called for him. He came barreling down the hall seconds later, running straight to his mother, hiding behind her legs.
“Hi, Carson.” I offered him a polite smile, slowly lowering myself to his height. “I’m Ms. O’Neil.”
“Like Shaq?” His thick, bushy brows shot up.
I chuckled and nodded. “Sort of, but my name is spelled a little differently.”
“Oh.” He cast his gaze down for a second, then he asked, “do you play basketball like him?”
I giggled as I shook my head. “I don’t. I work with children and families. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to come say hi to you and your mommy. Can I sit with you for a minute?”
He looked up to his mother as if he were asking her for permission. She gave him an assuring nod then he slowly peeled himself from her legs before walking over to climb up onto the couch. I followed and took a seat next to him.
“Who do you have there?” I pointed to the stuffed animal that was tucked underneath his arm wearing an Aces jersey.
“A5.” He held the bear out. “My mommy took me to get him when I was feeling better. I named him after my favorite player.”
I reached for my bag that was leaning against the couch next to my legs. “Perfect. I brought a friend for A5.” I pulled the plastic dinosaur from my bag. “This is Rex.”