Page 144 of When a Soul Cries
Sugga continued, quieter now. “You can’t love that girl’s pain away, and you can’t buy back what was stolen from her. Feed her. Listen when she wants to talk. Shut up when she doesn’t.”
A wet laugh escaped me. “That last part gonna be hard.”
“I know. You talk too damn much.”
I laughed through the tears.
“There go my mama.”
“Listen to me, Roman.” Her voice softened again. “Give that girl choices. Help where she lets you help. And don’t ever make her feel like she owes you because you were kind to her.”
“I already told her she doesn’t.”
“Then mean it.”
“I do.”
“I know you do.”
I wiped my face.
“And Rome?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t go looking for whoever hurt her.”
My jaw tightened. “He’s dead.”
“Good.”
I blinked.
Sugga cleared her throat. “I mean… may the Lord handle that.”
A laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. “Mama.”
“What? I’m saved. I ain’t perfect.”
I shook my head, smiling through what was left of my tears.
“I love you, Ma.”
“I love you too, baby.”
“Don’t tell Kai I cried.”
“I won’t tell him if you don’t tell him I said I was glad that man was dead.”
“Deal.”
“Now wash your face and go to bed. And stop hovering outside that girl’s room.”
My eyebrows lifted. “How the hell you know I’m gonna do that?”
“Because I gave birth to you.”
I laughed. “Goodnight, Ma.”
