I Know I've Been Changed by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Read Free Book Online Page A

you so much better than that Lorna lady at Channel 13,” the woman murmured.
    “That is so sweet of you. You must give me a call at the station so you can come by for a visit.”
    The woman smiled excitedly before scurrying off. I would try to return her call if she followed up on my invitation, but with the amount of calls I got each day I didn’t know how realistic that actually was.
    Myles had maneuvered his way several feet from me, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his secretary, Karen, was fawning all over him. I felt my blood rising as she brushed some lint off his jacket shoulder. Her hand lingered a little too long.
    I eased over to where Myles was, making sure to drape my arm through his, and push Karen out of the way. I ignored the sneer on her face and put on my television personality as I continued to greet people.
    We had just finished saying our last good-byes and were about to get into the car when a man stopped Myles and started talking to him. I made my way on toward the car, anxious to get home. The driver had just opened the door when I noticed the woman in the overcoat again, walking toward me. She still had on the shades and scarf, so I had no idea who she was. I was just about to jump into the car when she called my name. Normally, even that wouldn’t have stopped me, but she called me by my whole first name.
    “Hey, Raedella.” She removed her sunglasses and was now standing directly in front of me. I motioned for the driver to go on and get in the car, which he did. “It’s me, Laila,” she said after I didn’t respond. Honestly, I couldn’t respond, because this could not possibly be my cousin standing in front of me. The Laila Evans I knew was a robust young woman with a beautiful smile and warm personality. She was my auntie Mel’s oldest granddaughter. But this woman standing before me now was anything but beautiful.
    I knew I was standing there with my jaw hanging open as I looked her up and down but I couldn’t help it.
    She chuckled. “I know I look different now, girl. Big-city living will do that to you.”
    She was saying that as if it were a good thing.
    “Well, ain’t you gon’ say something? It’s been what, ten, fifteen years?” She hit my shoulder, almost knocking me over.
    “What happened to you?” was all I could manage to say.
    “Dang, is that any way to greet your long-lost family?” She scowled.
    I know it was rude, but I kept staring at her. She looked like she couldn’t weigh any more than a hundred pounds, and that was soaking wet. Her skin looked like it was hanging off her face. There were dark circles underneath her eyes. Her teeth were yellow and she was missing a tooth in the front.
    “I got a little hooked up on some drugs, but I’m clean now.” She held out her arms and started pushing up her coat sleeves as if I were actually going to examine her arms. I was still stunned because the Laila I remembered had always been a straight-A, prissy young woman. “I came down here with my boyfriend—you remember Janky?” She paused, I guess waiting for me to confirm or deny I knew this Janky person.
    “Anyway,” she continued after I failed to respond, “that bastard got strung out then had me strung out too. He’s up in county now, left me out here to fend for myself. I had to turn a few tricks and thangs, but I don’t even do that anymore,” she proudly exclaimed. “Now, I’m getting myself together. I live in that halfway house right over there.” She pointed to a dilapidated building across the street.
    “I don’t have any money.” I was wishing she would move on before Myles wrapped up his conversation.
    She hit me on the shoulder. “Girl, I don’t need your money. I just wanted to come say hi, that’s all. I’m happy your boyfriend got this building for us. We need it.” We stood in uncomfortable silence for a few seconds.
    “Okay, then,” I said, trying to ease closer to the car.
    “You know, since Mama died, I hadn’t