What's Done In the Dark by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Read Free Book Online Page B

“What have I done?”
    Fran leaned back and inhaled. “Well, I’m not surprised that you finally stepped out on Greg. The way he neglects you, I’m surprised you hadn’t done it already. But I just can’t believe you did it with Steven.”
    “I’ve got to come clean,” I said with finality. I didn’t have any other option. I couldn’t carry this guilt around.
    “And why would you do something stupid like that?” Fran asked, perplexed. “You cleaned up the place, right?”
    “Yes, but I should have called for help.”
    “Why? You said yourself that he was dead. He was stillgoing to be dead whether you reported it or not, so why should you get in trouble, too?”
    We were interrupted by the doorbell. I froze as images of police bursting in to take me into custody flashed in my head.
    I jumped up. “Who is that?”
    “Calm down. It’s just Mavis.” Fran got up and headed toward the door.
    Now I really was ready to run. My older sister was as bad as the police. Since our parents died in a car crash when I was in college, Mavis had taken over the role of mother and, most of the time, had taken it way too far. “Mavis? Why didn’t you tell me she was coming over here?”
    “Because I didn’t know you were coming over. You were supposed to be going home, remember? Mavis was already on her way over to pick up some money I owe her. You know she’s like Tony Soprano when it comes to getting her money back.”
    I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. “Don’t tell her,” I said. “I can’t take her judging me.”
    Fran put her hand to her mouth. “Oops, too late.”
    “Ugh, do you have to tell everybody everything?”
    “I was on the phone with her when you called, and she wanted to know what was wrong. I tried to tell her nothing, but she didn’t believe me. I told you, she’s Tony Soprano. She strong-armed me.”
    The doorbell rang again, and we heard Mavis’s muffled call. “I hear y’all in there. Open this door!”
    Fran shrugged at me, then opened the door.
    Mavis didn’t even speak to Fran as she rushed towardme. She looked so much like my mother it was eerie—full-figured, beautiful smooth skin, and a head full of naturally curly hair. If I didn’t know better, I would think it was my mother coming to be by my side.
    I took a step back because my sister had been known to smack me back in the day, and I didn’t need her having any flashbacks. But she just grabbed me and hugged me tightly. “Oh, Lord, Felise. What have you gotten yourself into?”
    I couldn’t help it. Being in my sister’s arms felt safe, even though I knew I was far from that. “I messed up, Mavis,” I cried.
    “Yes, you did, baby girl,” she said, stroking my hair, “but it’s going to be okay.” She pulled back and examined me. “So, what did the police say?”
    I looked over at Fran and didn’t respond.
    “See, my mouth isn’t that big. I didn’t tell her everything.”
    Mavis’s eyes grew wide. “Tell me what? What is there to tell?”
    Neither Fran nor I said a word. Mavis’s hands went to her hips. “I know somebody better get to talking.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “What did the police say?”
    “I–I . . .”
    “She left without reporting it, okay?” Fran said.
    “Excuse me?” Mavis asked in horror. “You left the scene of a crime?”
    “Mavis, leave her alone,” Fran snapped. “There was no crime. He died in his sleep. I got this handled.”
    Mavis threw up her hands in exasperation. “You don’t need to be listening to Fran. You know she got the devil in her.”
    Fran gave Mavis the hand. “You better go somewhere with that, or you’re about to see the devil rear its ugly head.”
    “So, you really think I should tell that I was there, Mavis?” I asked.
    “Girl, don’t listen to Mavis,” Fran said. “Tell for what?”
    Mavis sat down next to me. She had a way of adding things up quick, and I could see that turning myself in was no longer her first option.