Page 97 of Feeding Hope
The bell on the door rang. Her eyes lifted to see an older man walking in with the three boys in tow. Constance stood crossing her arms over her chest. She clamped her jaw so tightly she was shocked they couldn’t hear the grinding.
“Jason. Here they are ready to be put to work.”
Before Jinx could reply, Constance did. She didn’t care if the man was a judge. “You’re a little late bringing them here.” She told the man.
“Well, I’m a busy man … Miss?”
“It’s Ms. Nawl. And I’m busy as well.
Jinx stepped up next to Constance where he could diffuse the confrontation he hadn’t counted on. “Constance…”
“Don’t you dare Constance me Jason Bauer.” She snapped then turned her attention back to the judge.
“Your Honor, with all due respect, this isn’t a courtroom where you dictate terms. You’re asking for access outside operating hours to remedy a situation your household created. That’s not consideration—that’s presumption.”
She saw the surprised look on his face.
“Let’s be clear. Your son and nephews caused damage to a community resource. Repairing that damage happens onthisorganization’s terms—not at your convenience. If accountability is the goal, then it starts with respecting the process.”
The judge’s expression hardened, but it wasn’t as solid as it had been moments ago. There was a crack there now thin, but visible. Behind him, the boys didn’t hold up nearly as well.
The oldest shifted first, dragging a hand down his face, jaw tight like he was chewing on something he didn’t want to admit. The second let out a quiet breath, eyes moving over the damage they’d left behind, seeing it differently now. Not funny. Not harmless.
The youngest—barely holding onto that last thread of bravado—looked at the floor.
Constance didn’t give an inch. “Where’s that attitude boys? You’re not so tough with your uncle here. Are you?”
“No ma’am.” All three said at once.
“Be back here at seven a.m., if you’re late—any of you. Deals off and I press charges.” She stared at the three teens waiting for a response. What she got was grumbling about how early seven a.m. was.
“Your choice. Be here when I tell you and for how long I tell you or jail. And just so we’re clear, I’m a lawyer and will make it my personal mission to put all three not just in jail but under it.”
That got their attention. “And just for the grumbling be here for six-thirty in the morning.” Constance looked at them waiting for more grumbling. Instead, they agreed to be there at six-thirty in the morning.
“I’ll make sure they’re here in the morning, Ms. Nawl.” The judge said before shoving his nephews out the door.
Chapter Fifteen.
Damn, she was running late. Her co-workers probably thought she wasn’t coming in or worse something had happened to her. She’d forgotten her phone charger at the store the evening before and by the time she’d realized her phone had died she wasn’t about to drive back to get the charger. She also didn’t want to go back up there when all the other shops were closed.
Grabbing her bag, she scooped up her car keys and headed out. at the last minute she flipped off the interior lights all but the hall one and turned on the outside light before locking up. She’d left the lights on in case Frost came back. But one day had turned into a week then two. Now, it had been almost a month, and she hadn’t seen or heard from him.
Constance thought how chicken shit it was that he hadn’t called to tell her he wasn’t interested in continuing the relationship. She understood, it had been an intense few days. Sometimes things burned hot then cooled just as fast.
At first, she’d been worried, then pissed, after that emotion left her, she had been sad. Now, she didn’t harbor any ill will towards Frost, she was thankful for his attention. It let her know she could move on. That she was able to give someone her attention and her affection.
Halfway to the car she saw him, he was leaning against his bike, long legs kicked out in front of him. Ankles crossed. Cigarettehanging from his lips. Eyes fixed on his phone. Then he looked up at her and she was stuck staring back at him.
How had she not heard his bike? How long had he been out there? Agitated over the whole damn thing Constance turned around, unlocked the door and went back inside. She hoped he didn’t expect her to run across the yard and throw herself at him. Because fuck that, she be damned if she threw anything at him unless it was something heavy that would hurt when it hit his dumb ass.
Constancestood near the window, arms crossed tight like she could hold herself together if she tried hard enough. Outside, the world pressed in—quiet, watching.She heard him enter the house, it wasn’t like it was a huge place. She didn’t turn to face him, just continued to look out the window.
“You gonna keep starin’ out there,” he said behind her, voice low, rough, “or you gonna look at me?”
She turned slowly. Her eyes were bright, angry and hurt and tired all at once. “You don’t get to disappear for weeks and then act like nothing happened.”
He took that hit without flinching. “Didn’t say nothin’ happened.”
