Page 79 of Rah

“Fabe,” my father’s voice rushed through, strained. “Rah’s been stabbed. They rushed him to the hospital. He’s in surgery right now.”

I froze, sitting up. “What? Who did it?”

“It was Solae. The police are at the hospital. They say she told them it was self-defense. She claimed Rah was putting his hands on her.” He let out a bitter sigh. “Boy, you know your brother. He don’t put his hands on women. That girl has just been bitter ever since he left her for Aaliyah. Now she done took it too far.”

I pressed my hand over my face, shocked at how much Rah had my father fooled, just like the rest of the world.

“His mama losing it. They don’t know if he’s gonna make it through the operation. You need to get down here.”

“I’m on my way,” I said, hanging up.

Aaliyah was sitting up now with worry etched all over her face. “What happened?”

I rubbed a hand down my face. “Rah got stabbed. He’s in surgery right now. They said Solae did it.”

Her lips parted as her eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head slowly. “Oh my God.” She covered her mouth, then whispered, “Poor Solae. If she got pushed that far… I can’t even imagine what she must’ve been going through with him. She’s probably reached her breaking point.”

I sat there for a second, phone still hot in my hand, and I couldn’t argue with her. She was right. I knew the type of man my brother really was. He had been digging his own grave for a long time with all the lying, manipulating, and always pushing people past their breaking point. If Solae had finally snapped, if she’d defended herself, I couldn’t even blame her.

SOLAE

“You can have a phone call now.”

I sighed with relief as I walked towards the bars of the cell that I had been locked up in for hours. There wasn’t a window in sight, so I had no idea what time it was or if it was New Year’s Eve by now.

Once the officer slid the cell open, he grabbed me by the elbow and led me over to the phones. I didn’t have the stomach to call my mother. The last thing I wanted to hear at the moment was her weary voice or my children’s concern. So, I called Kahlani.

I waited for her to answer and then accept the collect call.

“Hello? Solae?” Kahlani’s voice rushed through the phone after a few seconds.

“Hey,” I hoarsely spoke.

She sighed as if she were relieved to hear from me. “Are you okay?”

“No,” I admitted fighting tears. I had been crying so hard for so long that myeyes were hurting.

“You’re right,” she replied, sucking her teeth. “That was a stupid question. My bad. What are they charging you with?”

The words were stuck in my throat. It was so hard for me to say it. But I forced out, “Attempted murder… as of now.”

“Oh God,” she groaned through a heavy breath.

“I’m going to need a really good lawyer, but I don’t have that type of money.”

“Are they going to give you bail?” Kahlani asked reluctantly.

“Most likely, since I don’t have a record.”

I could hear her relief. “Good. But when?”

“It’s the holidays,” I said, regretfully. “I probably will have to wait until after the New Year for a bail hearing.”

“Damn,” Kahlani exhaled.

“What day is it?”

“New Year’s Eve.”