by Mariah James
“If one of you don’t start talking…” Don began again.
“Okay. Okay.” The girls surrendered.
“We, eh fell into a few bucks.” Ryan winked at Erin.
Don was not amused at all, the look on his face mirrored their father’s when he was not pleased with someone.
Erin spoke up to save their asses, “Don, you said you needed a couple more weeks to handle shit, well here it is. A week early.”
“Where’d you get this kind of money. It has to be over $5,000 in here.” Don flipped through the crisp $100 bills, under the table.
“Actually it's 10 stacks!” Ryan corrected him.
“Yo, where did this money come from? And I’m not going to ask again!” Don spat.
“The Winston’s,” Erin admitted. Ryan nudged her in the side. “What?” She faced Ryan rubbing her ribs.
“The Winston’s gave you this money?” Don was even more confused. Why did the girls have contact with the Winston’s, of all people from their old block?
“Well, not exactly. We kinda took it.” Erin continued.
Don stood up and squeezed into the side of the booth his twin sisters were in, “You stole money from the Winston’s? Are you fucking kidding me? You could’ve gotten yourselves killed.” Don’s face was fiery red, as he spoke through clenched teeth.
“But we didn’t.” Ryan rolled her eyes, she knew Don wasn’t going to take this well. She couldn’t really blame him though, if the shoe were on the other foot, she’d have a million and one questions too.
Don rested his elbows on the table as he planted his face in his open hands. His mind raced about what Erin just told him. The hustle in their genes ran deep, and he was quite impressed. Although, he felt it was his fault. His one job was to get right so the twins can come home. If he had held it down like he was supposed to, they wouldn’t have put themselves in this kind of danger.
Ryan broke Don out his deep thought, “So, you want the money or nah?”
Don looked up, back and forth between the two of them. He shook his head and grinned. That was a good enough answer. Don slid the money into the inner pocket of his vest and sat back on his side of the bench, just as their food was served.
“Promise me something,” Don spoke, buttering his wheat toast.
The girls looked up at him, “Yes?” They spoke in unison.
“That was the last time.” Don’s voice was stern. Erin and Ryan looked at each other. Together they shook their head okay.
Don smiled and went back to his food. What he didn’t know was the girls had their fingers crossed. You can’t break a promise, that was never made in the first place.
January 2017
Erin and Ryan were waiting at the door for Mr. Leeper to pick them up. Their anxiety increased with each car that passed by, especially the ones who appeared to slow down.
Ms. Mary got a call this morning from Mr. Leeper, stating he was coming to get the girls. Deep down inside she was happy to have received the news. The stress the twins was putting her under wasn’t good for her health, and she’d be damn if some 16-year-old girls were going to be the death of her. Ms. Mary rocked back and forth in her old, wooden rocking chair, patiently waiting.
The twins wondered what took Don so long, it was now a couple weeks into the new year, at this point. We gave him the money, so what was the holdup? They thought, without taking into consideration how hard it was for Don to find a legit job.
“About time!” Ryan shrieked patting Erin on the arm. The girls bolted through the screen door to Mr. Leeper’s car. The car wasn’t entirely stopped by the time they reached it.
“Whoa girls, girls. Relax.” Mr. Leeper stepped out the car. He looked just as disheveled as he did the first time they met.
Ryan rolled her eyes. She couldn’t wait to be out of Ms. Mary’s presence and home under the same roof with her brother and sister. She crossed her arms and followed him back into the house.
“How’s the beautiful, Ms. Mary doing today?” Mr. Leeper asked as he stepped inside, stomping the snow off his boots.
“Blessed and highly favored.” Ms. Mary smiled. Even with all she’d been through, she continued to have faith in His plan. It was apparent she didn’t have a lot, but she had all she needed.
“Amen!” Mr. Leeper agreed, causing Ms. Mary to smile wider. “Thank you, again for all you’ve done for the agency. You’ve really been an, uh, angel on earth.”
Ms. Mary shook her head, “No sir. I was just doing what the Lord put me on earth to do. You see, He has a plan for us all. No matter how much we try to control our lives and the things in it, He has the final say. The problem is we don’t listen to Him. We hear him, yes Lord, loud and clear, but we don’t comprehend.”
“Yes, yes. Amen.” Mr. Leeper attempted to cut the conversation short, but Ms. Mary continued.
“It wasn’t my decision to take all these kids in, it was His.” She pointed upwards. “Even after I lost my dear, Walter and wanted to close these doors, I kept ‘em open because it was all in His plan.”
Mr. Leeper nodded his head, “Again, I appreciate everything you’ve done, for all of the children.”
“And I appreciate you for making it possible for me to pursue what He called on me to do. I had a long talk with him last night, and you know what he said?” Ms. Mary stopped rocking and looked up to Mr. Leeper for the answer.
“No, what?”
“He told me to make Erin and Ryan my last foster kids.” Mr. Leeper’s face showed he was shocked at her response, but he stood in silence.
“Yes sir, he sho’ did and then look, you called me the next morning.”
“Hallelujah, can we go now?” Ryan mocked. Ms. Mary shook her head and formed a grin. She started rocking again.
“Ryan!” Mr. Leeper called out.
“Greg, it’s okay. She’s hurting. She’ll come around. He ain’t done with her yet.”
“Okay, Bishop Mary.” Ryan laughed and left outside to get in the car.
“Ms. Mary, I’m sorry. Thanks for everything.” Erin followed up, embarrassed by her sister’s actions.
“No need to apologize, baby. You girls be careful out there. Remember, you’re not in control.” Ms. Mary finished. Erin nodded and left.
“Ms. Mary.” Mr. Leeper nodded at her before heading back to his vehicle. Immediate relief came over Ms. Mary, as she watched her last set of foster children being hauled away. She smiled at the ceiling and mouthed ‘thank you.’
The drive to their new apartment was quiet. So many different emotions visited the girls, but the silence was much more soothing.
“We’re here.” Mr. Leeper announced as the car came to a stop.
“Thanks.” Erin showed gratitude, while Ryan sat quietly.
Mr. Leeper shook his head at her. He was happy his job was officially done. Case closed.
The twins climbed out the back seat and walked up to their new apartment. Mr. Leeper rolled down his window.
“Hey Erin, Ryan. Good luck.” The girls didn’t respond they just watched him drive away.
“Good luck, my ass.” Ryan finally spoke as Erin laughed at her.
The twins walked up to the door, and before they got a chance to knock, Don was standing there with his arms stretched out and an even bigger smile stretched across his face.
“Donnie!” The girls shouted out in unison. They damn near knocked Don down.
“Sheesh, I ain’t going nowhere.” He joked.
Erin spoke up, “I know, but we’re here.”
“Yeah, we are home, yo.” Ryan agreed.
Don laughed, “Yes, you are. Welcome home babies.”
The girls stepped into the apartment, inspecting every square foot. Don did a good job putting the place together. The apartment was only two bedrooms, but it was more than enough room for them.
“Okay, Don. I see you.” Ryan complimented her brother’s effort.
“You already,” Don responded, puffing out his chest.
It w
as Erin’s turn to roll her eyes, “Don’t flatter yourself.” They all laughed.
While the girls got settled into their room, Don ordered some pizza for them to eat. They used their time to catch each other up on their lives, since their parents’ untimely death. Yes, they talked on the phone every now and again, but this face to face interaction was much more valuable. The girls purposely left out the part about their sticky fingers, just as Don, left out his current lifestyle.
Erin was the first to drift off to sleep and just when Don thought Ryan was asleep, he got up from the couch. He tried to make as little noise as possible being sure not to wake the girls, but Ryan heard him scrambling around.
“Where you going?” Ryan startled Don as he tried to sneak out the front door.
“Uh, I’ll be back. I’m going to handle something right quick.” Assuming that was enough to end the conversation, Don reached for the doorknob.
“What?” Ryan asked.
“I, I’m going to work.” Don stuttered.
Ryan raised her eyebrow in suspension, “Where you working at this late?” She checked the wall clock for the time. It was close to midnight.
“I’ll be back, yo.” Don rushed out the house.
Not only was Don not up for explaining himself, but he also had no intentions of telling the twins, what he was doing. Yeah, he had a real job to get them out of the county’s custody, but ain’t no way that job was going to fit all the bills.
The money the twins gave Don wasn’t going to cover all their expenses forever either. He was able to furnish the apartment and pay up on some bills and rent. Don used the rest of the money to buy work. He was over hustling on consignment, it was time to step his game up. Time to live up to his last name.
Ryan could tell by the tone of Don’s voice not to pester him about it. Eventually, she was going to get to the bottom of it. Since Don wasn’t going to tell her what was up, she was going to find out herself.
Don had a pretty chill demeanor. Not too many things bothered him, and if they did, he didn’t let them show. On the flip side, he was a product of Pa, ready to set it off at any given time. They say it’s the quiet ones you need to look out for.
“E, wake up. C’mon lets go to bed.” Ryan shook Erin waking her up, and they headed into their bedroom.
Erin knocked back out as soon as her head hit the pillow. It took Ryan a while to fall asleep, but when she finally drifted off, she did so, with a smile on her face.
February 2017
“I can’t believe Ms. Mary got y’all laced like this.” Don stood in the doorway of his sisters’ room admiring their wide range of clothing.
The girls looked at each other and smiled. Don had no idea, what the girls had to do for their wardrobe and now wasn’t the time to let him in on it. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?
“Yeah. Ms. Mary was cool.” Erin added for good taste.
“Um.” Ryan disagreed. The thought of her made her sick. She didn’t like how she looked down on them in pity. Like they were some little charity cases or something.
Don chuckled at Ryan’s response, “You don’t like nobody do you?”
“I like you.” She teased, before picking up a pillow and throwing it at him. Don caught the pillow and pretended it was a football as he ran into the room and tackled Ryan to the bed.
“Don, stop!” Ryan managed to say through giggles. He was already on his way to do Erin the same way, but she shook him, causing him to run into the wall.
“That’s what you get!” Ryan teased again, falling over in laughter.
“Y'all ready for this party?” Don was pumped for them to see what he had planned.
“I wish Ma and Pa were here,” Erin answered, honestly.
“Me too!” Don replied, “But they’re here in spirit.”
Erin looked as if she was about to break down. Who would’ve thought they’d be turning seventeen without their parents there to witness it. It was crushing, and although time heals all wounds, it was a short road to restoration.
Don clapped his hands together loudly, breaking them from their trance, “I’m leaving in ten minutes. If y’all ain’t ready, I’ll be partying by my damn self.” Don pretended to be Michael Jackson as he moonwalked out the room, throwing the pillow back at Ryan.
The twins shook their head at how silly he was, he knew just what to say and do when they needed it the most.
“Happy Birthday to ya! Happy Birthday to ya! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to ya! Happy Birthday to ya! Happy Birthday!” The crowd belched out in unison, sending the twins a warm birthday shout-out.
They were officially seventeen, and Don threw them a huge party; Ma and Pa style. When Don said he was going to take care of the twins, he did just that, and they were eating it up. It felt good to be teenagers again and not have to worry about so much shit like adults must.
“Don, you outdid yourself with this one.” Erin hugged her big brother while Ryan cut into their three-layer cake.
Don made a cocky stance, “Y'all my babies, and y’all deserve the world.”
“Look, I ain’t no damn baby.” Ryan rolled her neck causing Don to crack up. Despite what Ryan thought, they will forever be his babies.
It was strange to see people from their old neighborhood come out to show love, it was like they disappeared after their parents died. Most of them were there to see how the kids were holding up and others just wanted to leech off what they were providing for everyone.
The Edwards were good though, and even if they weren’t 100%, no one would know it because that’s how they were raised. Never let them see you sweat. Ma used to always say, and they lived by that.
Erin and Ryan danced the night away. Laughing and enjoying every minute of their party.
“Don hooked us up, Ry!” Erin was in awe.
“Yeah, I wonder how he can afford all this,” Ryan wondered.
Erin just laughed, before realizing her sister was dwelling on that statement.
“What you mean, Ry? We got a lot of money for him, he better had done the right things with it.” Erin started dancing again.
“E, you can’t be that fucking stupid.” Ry blurted out, halting Erin’s two-step.
“Excuse me!” She was appalled at her sister’s smart remark.
“That was damn near 2 months ago, E. Ain’t no way he still got that money.”
“Well, he does work.” Ryan rolled her eyes. Erin was smart as hell, but sometimes she wasn’t too fluent in common sense.
“That job ain’t paying the bills. Don is up to something.” Ryan stated.
“You think so?” Erin questioned her sister, as she put the pieces together in her head. Ryan was making a little sense.
“I know so, and we’re going to figure it out,” Ryan whispered.
“Figure what out?” Don, put his arms around their shoulders, interrupting their conversation.
“Nothing.” The girls shrugged their shoulders in unison.
Erin looked at Don, thinking to herself that Ryan was right. She admired her brother from head to toe. He was fresh, he rocked a pricey watch, diamond earring, and gold chain. Yeah, ain’t no way a 9-5 got him like this.
The three of them danced together until they were interrupted by a young man requesting Don’s attention.
“Ayo, D? Let me holla at you for a minute.” His deep voice broke up their embrace.
“No doubt,” Don nodded, “save me a dance. I’ll be right back.”
“Damn, who is that?” Ryan asked once the couplet was out of earshot. The girls religiously watched their brother interact with this gentleman.
This mystery dude was rocking some fresh beef and broccoli Timberlands, an army green vest and hoodie, with khaki pants. His hair was twisted up in some neat straight backs that complimented his sharply trimmed goatee.
Whatever they were talking about was intense, Don did most of the talking, while dude nodded his head. He glanced over at the girls and gave them a smirk. When Don looked
back, Erin and Ryan turned their heads and walked away giggling.
“He is fine.” Erin continued.
Ryan nodded her head, “Yes, he is.” She looked back in the direction the guys were just in, but they both were gone.
“Looking for me?” A voice interrupted Ryan’s search party.
She smiled up at him, he looked even better up close. His light brown skin seemed to be as smooth as a baby’s bottom.
“Actually, we were looking for Don,” Erin interjected, “have you seen him?” She asked.
“Yeah, he went over that way.” The guy pointed, and Erin followed his direction. She winked at Ryan, giving her sister some space. That was a perk of being a twin, most things went without saying.
“You enjoying yourself?” He asked.
“Yes, I am! Don, always looking out for us.” Ryan cooed. She bragged about her brother every chance she got.
“Yeah, he looked out alright.” He laughed, looking around the packed banquet hall.
“How you know my brother, anyway?” Ryan’s curiosity was getting the best of her. Especially since she never saw him before.
“Oh, Don? That’s my boy. We, uh, work together.” He didn’t sound too convincing, but Ryan saved it as a mental note.
“Okay, okay. That’s wassup.”
“So, can I call you sometime?”
Ryan blushed, “Of course.” He handed her his cell phone, and she locked her number in.
“I’ll see you around?”
“Yup.” Ryan approved.
“Good! It was nice meeting you, Ryan.” He lifted her hand up, kissing the back of it.
“Nice, meeting you too.” She watched him start to walk away, “Hey?” He turned back around. “What’s your name?”
"Deuce.”
March 2017
Ryan and Deuce were chopping it up something serious over the phone. Deuce was always “busy” so, they hadn’t had a chance to link. Ryan was cool with it, even though she was dying to see his sexy face again. The brief Facetiming just wasn’t enough.
Finally, the two were able to get together. Ryan was dancing and singing in front of the mirror, admiring her little getup.