Page 106 of Grown

“Nooo,” I moan, my arms heavy.

“I’m still making them mortgage payments,” he whispers... from somewhere. “I’m still paying for school. You want Shea to go to a good school, right?”

Her name in his mouth makes my stomach curl.

“Get away from me,” I shout, pushing him. Or I thought I shouted. Because next thing I know, my cup drops. My shirt is wet. He strikes me, then again, and the carpet nuzzles to my face before the room goes dark.

Part Four

Chapter 73

Beet Juice 5

NOW

“We have to get her to a hospital.... That can wait. She’s scared. Hang on, now! You don’t have to be so rough!”

The cuffs are cold. That’s what I notice first. Sharp shards of ice pinching around my wrist. Hands patting down my jean pockets. The taste of drywall I’m pressed into.

“You don’t have to be so rough! She’s just a baby! You don’t have to do her like that!”

I’m vaguely aware of Daddy begging nearby. All I can focus on is my bare feet, now in flip-flops. Flip-flops that are not mine. Are they Korey’s wife’s? Forgot about her.

Someone shouts, “Multiple stab wounds.”

I had a feeling. Only that much blood can paint a room red.

Transcript with LaToya Jones–May 21

Detective Arnold:Detective Arnold. Homicide. Please, sit.

LaToya Jones:When can I see my daughter?

Arnold:You realize your daughter was the only one found at the scene of the crime?

L. Jones:She said she didn’t do it. You saw her eyes when they brought her in here? She was clearly drugged. Something happened.

Arnold:Where were you last night?

L. Jones:Are you serious? I was at work!

Arnold:Is there a record of your shift?

L. Jones:I didn’t clock in. The moment I arrived, victims were coming in from a five-alarm fire.

Arnold:So did anyone see you?

L. Jones:Of course, the other nurses on duty.

Arnold:Your friends.

L. Jones:My colleagues.

Arnold:Are these your text messages?

L. Jones:[long pause] Yes.

Arnold:For the record, Mrs. Jones is looking at copies of text messages sent to Mr. Korey Fields. Quote: “If you don’t give me back my daughter, I’m going to put a bullet in your ass.” Unquote. These text messages are pretty extreme.