Chapter Three
I spent a week in the hospital after Luis attack. Ma was okay, but a little shaken up. The police arrested Luis and hauled him off to Riker's. He's been in there ever since. My brothers, Benny and Raymond were with social services until Ma could get back on her feet. I was seventeen and all alone in my cold, dark room. After my lonely stay in the hospital Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis offered to let me stay with her. I kindly accepted the invitation. Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis had a kind little apartment thirteen blocks from Ma's. It was small and cozy just like it had always been. My brother Henry was helping Ma out until everything got settled. He had helped her take out a restraining order against Luis, much to her dismay. Ma still remained defensive on the whole issue. No surprise there. After a week with Mrs. Maytha, she walked me back to our crumbling shack of an apartment. Thank her lord that Mrs. Maytha was there.
I knocked on the door. No answer. We clearly heard what was going on. Mrs. Maytha opened the door. My mother was naked and bendin' over the coffee table sniffin' up some smack. There was a man there as well, I didn't know who he was. Ma was whoarin' herself out again. Dammit. I ran into Benny and Raymond's room. They were in there back up in a corner of the closet. I bent down to their level.
Are you okay..? I signed. Benny look terrified and Raymond looked even worse. They nodded. Let's go...Mrs. Maytha is going to help Henry get us back...come on. I signed. I held out a hand and Raymond took it. I picked him up and Benny followed me out of the apartment. My mom was screaming at Mrs. Maytha.
"What are you doin'? Where are you takin' my kids? Let go of me, bitch! Give 'em back!" Mrs. Maytha locked the door behind her as we left the building. Raymond soon fell asleep on my shoulder. Benny held my hand as we walked all the way to Midtown in the rain. We looked out of place in this neighborhood. Our black skin gave us away. It was pouring down rain. Once we came to Henry's building, Mrs. Maytha got us 'buzzed' in. Henry got us hot cocoa, blankets, and some dry clothes. His fiance, Lola, got Raymond and Benny into the nice hot shower.
How are you feelin'? he signed.
Hungry. I signed. He laughed.
Take out? I nodded vigorously. He chuckled again. Henry called in chinese and a police friend. He told him to go to Ma's builing and take her in and she was high. Henry got a grim look on his face. I walked over and gave him a hug. I could tell he needed one. Once Raymond and Benny were out of the shower, it was my turn. I hopped into the large shower and scrubbed my hair with some shampoo that smelled absolutely devine. It felt good to be clean again. Lola and I were the same size so she gave me a set of cotton pjs. Henry was going to take care of me, Benny, and Raymond. Mrs. Maytha left while I was in the shower. Then the doorbell rang.
