That’s when Candace had really started pulling her hair, dragging her toward the back door like she was taking out trash. Maybe a night outside will teach you some respect, Candace had said. But something in Chenise had finally broken, not her spirit that had been bending for 3 years. What broke was her fear. As Candace dragged her by the hair and Deshan opened the back door, Chenise thought about Amara upstairs, probably scared and confused.
She thought about Grandma Ruby, who had survived worse than this and built something beautiful. Anyway, she thought about all the women who sat in her salon chair and told her their troubles, looking at her like she had answers. Maybe it was time to start having some. As they pushed her toward the door, Chenise caught sight of her phone on the kitchen counter.
The screen was cracked from when Deshan had thrown it last month, but it still worked. It was just out of reach, but close enough to give her hope. Please, she said, making her voice small and scared the way they expected. I’ll do better. I promise. Deshawn paused, his hand on the door handle. For a moment, Chenise thought he might actually listen, but then Candace laughed. She promising now.
Too late for all that. They shoved her outside into the cold October night, and Chenise heard the deadbolt click into place. She was locked out of her own house, wearing nothing but the thin work clothes she had on at the salon. Her face throbbed, her scalp burned where patches of hair had been pulled out, and she could feel bruises forming on her arms where they had grabbed her.
But for the first time in months, Chenise felt something other than fear. She felt angry. The house was quiet now, except for the sound of the television. Desawn and Candace thought they had won. Thought they had put her in her place. They didn’t know that Mrs. Evelyn next door was a night owl who would still be awake.
They didn’t know that Chenise had been planning for a moment like this, even if she hadn’t admitted it to herself. Most importantly, they didn’t know that Grandma Ruby had taught her more than just how to run a business. She had taught her how to survive. Chenise looked up at Amara’s bedroom window and saw the faint glow of her nightlight.
Her daughter was safe for now, but this couldn’t continue. Not anymore. Tonight had crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. As she walked around to the front of the house, Chenise felt in her pocket for the spare phone she had hidden there. for months ago. It was an old flip phone, basic and cheap, but it worked.
She had bought it with cash and kept it charged, telling herself it was just in case of emergencies. Well, this was definitely an emergency. The phone screen lit up in the darkness, and Chenise dialed a number she had memorized, but never thought she would use. As it rang, she looked back at the house where she had tried to build a life, where she had slowly lost herself piece by piece.
Tomorrow, everything would be different. The phone stopped ringing and a familiar voice answered. Jasmine Parker, attorney at law. How can I help you? Jazz, it’s me, Chenise whispered into the phone, her voice barely carrying in the cold night air. There was a pause. Then Jasmine’s voice came through clearer, more alert.
Chenise, girl, what time is it? Are you okay? Chenise had met Jasmine in college back when they were both young and full of dreams. While Chenise had dropped out to marry Deshon, Jasmine had pushed through law school and built a successful practice. They had stayed friends, though Deshon had made it harder over the years. Always finding reasons why Chenise couldn’t go out, couldn’t maintain her friendships.
