{"id":4802,"date":"2026-06-19T02:53:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T02:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storylifedaily.com\/?p=4802"},"modified":"2026-06-19T02:55:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T02:55:52","slug":"4802","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storylifedaily.com\/?p=4802","title":{"rendered":"Be Good for the Nice Lady, Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBe<\/span>\u00a0good<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0nice<\/span>\u00a0lady,<\/span>\u00a0baby.<\/span>\u00a0Mama<\/span>\u00a0will<\/span>\u00a0come<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>real<\/span>\u00a0soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0those<\/span>\u00a0words<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0head<\/span>\u00a0so<\/span>\u00a0many<\/span>\u00a0times<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0sound<\/span>\u00a0like<\/span>\u00a0words<\/span>\u00a0anymore.<\/span>\u00a0They<\/span>\u00a0sound<\/span>\u00a0like<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>door<\/span>\u00a0closing.<\/span>\u00a0Which<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0what<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0were.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

My<\/span>\u00a0name<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0Jolene.<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0thirty-five.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0live<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0Decatur,<\/span>Georgia,<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0husband<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0rescue<\/span>\u00a0dog<\/span>named<\/span>\u00a0Biscuit<\/span>\u00a0who<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0afraid<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0thunderstorms<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>ceiling<\/span>\u00a0fans.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0am<\/span>\u00a0telling<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0this<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0somebody<\/span>needs<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0hear<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0been<\/span>\u00a0quiet<\/span>\u00a0about<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0thirty<\/span>years<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0cannot<\/span>\u00a0be<\/span>\u00a0quiet<\/span>\u00a0anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0five<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0old.<\/span>\u00a0It<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0July.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0remember<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0pavement<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0hot<\/span>\u00a0enough<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0could<\/span>\u00a0feel<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>through<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0sandals.<\/span>\u00a0My<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0put<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0grocery<\/span>\u00a0bag<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>my<\/span>\u00a0hands,<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0brown<\/span>\u00a0paper<\/span>\u00a0kind,<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0told<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0we<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>going<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0trip.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0excited.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0never<\/span>\u00a0been<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>trip<\/span>\u00a0before.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

There<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0green<\/span>\u00a0Buick<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0driveway.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>recognize<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span>\u00a0There<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0woman<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0driver\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0seat<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>had<\/span>\u00a0never<\/span>\u00a0seen<\/span>\u00a0before.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0maybe<\/span>\u00a0forty<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>time,<\/span>\u00a0thin,<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0short<\/span>\u00a0brown<\/span>\u00a0hair<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0cigarette<\/span>between<\/span>\u00a0two<\/span>\u00a0fingers.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0smile<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0say<\/span>\u00a0hello.<\/span><\/p>\n

My<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0walked<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0car.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0opened<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>door<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0put<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0in.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0buckled<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0seatbelt.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>remember<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0fingers<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0buckle.<\/span>\u00a0Her<\/span>\u00a0nails<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>painted<\/span>\u00a0pink.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0remember<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0last<\/span>time<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0saw<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0leaned<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0kissed<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0forehead.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0said,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cBe<\/span>good<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0nice<\/span>\u00a0lady,<\/span>\u00a0baby.<\/span>\u00a0Mama<\/span>\u00a0will<\/span>\u00a0come<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>\u00a0real<\/span>soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0closed<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0door.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0car<\/span>\u00a0backed<\/span>\u00a0out<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0driveway.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0turned<\/span>\u00a0around<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>my<\/span>\u00a0seat<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0watched<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0standing<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>porch.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0waving.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0smiling.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0waved<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>until<\/span>\u00a0we<\/span>\u00a0turned<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0corner<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0couldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0see<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0did<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0come<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>\u00a0real<\/span>\u00a0soon.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0did<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0come<\/span>back<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The<\/span>\u00a0woman\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0name<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0Darlene.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0lived<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0double-wide<\/span>\u00a0outside<\/span>\u00a0Macon<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0chain-link<\/span>\u00a0fence<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0yard<\/span>full<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0dirt<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0dog<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0barked<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0everything<\/span>including<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span><\/p>\n

Darlene<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0kind.<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0gonna<\/span>\u00a0sugarcoat<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>was<\/span>\u00a0cruel<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0specific,<\/span>\u00a0daily,<\/span>\u00a0grinding<\/span>\u00a0way<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0leave<\/span>\u00a0marks<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0teachers<\/span>\u00a0notice<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0leaves<\/span>marks<\/span>\u00a0everywhere<\/span>\u00a0else.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0hit<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0wooden<\/span>\u00a0spoon.<\/span>\u00a0Not<\/span>\u00a0once,<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0when<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>did<\/span>\u00a0something<\/span>\u00a0wrong.<\/span>\u00a0Regularly.<\/span>\u00a0The<\/span>\u00a0way<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0swat<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0fly.<\/span>\u00a0Casual.<\/span>\u00a0Like<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0cost<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0nothing.<\/span>\u00a0The<\/span>\u00a0handle<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0spoon<\/span>\u00a0cracked<\/span>\u00a0eventually<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0replaced<\/span><\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0new<\/span>\u00a0one<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0Dollar<\/span>\u00a0General.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0remember<\/span>standing<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0aisle<\/span>\u00a0while<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0picked<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0out.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0made<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0sleep<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0mattress<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0floor<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>back<\/span>\u00a0room<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0no<\/span>\u00a0door,<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0curtain.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0told<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>every<\/span>\u00a0single<\/span>\u00a0day,<\/span>\u00a0sometimes<\/span>\u00a0multiple<\/span>\u00a0times,<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>mother<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0sold<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0bad.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour<\/span>\u00a0mama<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0want<\/span>\u00a0you,<\/span>\u00a0Jolene.<\/span>\u00a0You<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0rotten.<\/span>She<\/span>\u00a0got<\/span>\u00a0eight<\/span>\u00a0hundred<\/span>\u00a0dollars<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0spent<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>before<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0week<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

$800<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0five<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0old<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0sold<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>$800<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0That<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0less<\/span>\u00a0than<\/span>\u00a0what<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0paid<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0our<\/span>\u00a0couch.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0believed<\/span>\u00a0Darlene.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0believed<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0rotten.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0believed<\/span>my<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0looked<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0saw<\/span>\u00a0something<\/span>\u00a0wrong<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0decided<\/span>\u00a0$800<\/span><\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0fair<\/span>\u00a0trade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

I<\/span>\u00a0lived<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0Darlene<\/span>\u00a0until<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0eleven.<\/span>\u00a0That\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0when<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>neighbor<\/span>\u00a0finally<\/span>\u00a0called<\/span>\u00a0somebody.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0what<\/span>triggered<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0heard<\/span>\u00a0something<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>saw<\/span>\u00a0something<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>\u00a0finally<\/span>\u00a0decided<\/span>\u00a0they\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0looked<\/span>away<\/span>\u00a0long<\/span>\u00a0enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

CPS<\/span>\u00a0came.<\/span>\u00a0Darlene<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0arrested.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0went<\/span>\u00a0into<\/span>\u00a0foster<\/span>care.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0gonna<\/span>\u00a0walk<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0through<\/span>\u00a0every<\/span>\u00a0foster<\/span>\u00a0home.<\/span>There<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0four.<\/span>\u00a0Some<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0okay.<\/span>\u00a0None<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0them<\/span>\u00a0felt<\/span>like<\/span>\u00a0mine.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0aged<\/span>\u00a0out<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0eighteen<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0garbage<\/span>\u00a0bag<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>clothes<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0GED<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0bone-deep<\/span>\u00a0belief<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>fundamentally<\/span>\u00a0unlovable<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0own<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>sold<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0grocery<\/span>\u00a0money.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0ruined<\/span>\u00a0two<\/span>\u00a0relationships<\/span>\u00a0before<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0twenty-five.<\/span>\u00a0Not<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0purpose.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>\u00a0couldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0let<\/span>\u00a0anyone<\/span>\u00a0get<\/span>\u00a0close.<\/span>\u00a0Every<\/span>time<\/span>\u00a0someone<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0love<\/span>\u00a0you,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0brain<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0\u201cYour<\/span>mama<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0want<\/span>\u00a0you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Every<\/span>\u00a0time<\/span>\u00a0someone<\/span>\u00a0left<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>house<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0sure<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0weren\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0coming<\/span>\u00a0back.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0two<\/span>\u00a0miscarriages.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0married<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0fourteen<\/span>months<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0first<\/span>\u00a0time.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0bad.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>\u00a0couldn\u2019t<\/span>stop<\/span>\u00a0testing<\/span>\u00a0him.<\/span>\u00a0Picking<\/span>\u00a0fights<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0see<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>\u00a0he\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0leave.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>did.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0blame<\/span>\u00a0him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0met<\/span>\u00a0Curtis.<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0kind<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0man<\/span>\u00a0who<\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0flinch.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0tested<\/span>\u00a0him<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0two<\/span>\u00a0solid<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0he<\/span>just<\/span>\u00a0kept<\/span>\u00a0showing<\/span>\u00a0up.<\/span>\u00a0He\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0say,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cYou<\/span>\u00a0done?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0then<\/span>he\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0make<\/span>\u00a0dinner.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0married<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0anyway.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0still<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>understand<\/span>\u00a0why.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Last<\/span>\u00a0Tuesday.<\/span>\u00a0April.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0sitting<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0kitchen<\/span>\u00a0table<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0apartment<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0Decatur.<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0making<\/span>\u00a0coffee.<\/span>Biscuit<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0under<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0table<\/span>\u00a0chewing<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0sock.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0mail<\/span>\u00a0came<\/span>\u00a0through<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0slot<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0way<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0always<\/span>\u00a0does.<\/span>Bills,<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0coupon<\/span>\u00a0packet<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0Kroger,<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0flyer<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0pest<\/span>control<\/span>\u00a0company.<\/span>\u00a0And<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0letter.<\/span>\u00a0Plain<\/span>\u00a0white<\/span>\u00a0envelope.<\/span>\u00a0No<\/span>return<\/span>\u00a0address.<\/span>\u00a0My<\/span>\u00a0name<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0address<\/span>\u00a0handwritten<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>blue<\/span>\u00a0ink.<\/span>\u00a0Handwriting<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0recognize.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0opened<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy<\/span>\u00a0dear<\/span>\u00a0Jolene.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0probably<\/span>\u00a0hate<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>no<\/span>\u00a0right<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0write<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0you.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0forced<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0give<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0up.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>had<\/span>\u00a0no<\/span>\u00a0choice.<\/span>\u00a0Your<\/span>\u00a0father<\/span>\u00a0owed<\/span>\u00a0money<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0dangerous<\/span>people<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0told<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0give<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0Darlene<\/span>they<\/span>\u00a0would<\/span>\u00a0hurt<\/span>\u00a0you.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0chose<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0let<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0go<\/span>\u00a0so<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>wouldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0hurt<\/span>\u00a0you.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0thought<\/span>\u00a0about<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0every<\/span>single<\/span>\u00a0day<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0thirty<\/span>\u00a0years.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0want<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0see<\/span>\u00a0you.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0am<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>Macon.<\/span>\u00a0Please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0an<\/span>\u00a0address<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0bottom.<\/span>\u00a0And<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0name.<\/span>Lorraine.<\/span><\/p>\n

My<\/span>\u00a0mother\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0name<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0Lorraine.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0read<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0letter<\/span>\u00a0three<\/span>\u00a0times.<\/span>\u00a0My<\/span>\u00a0hands<\/span>\u00a0were<\/span>\u00a0shaking<\/span>\u00a0so<\/span>bad<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0paper<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0rattling<\/span>\u00a0against<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0table.<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>heard<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0came<\/span>\u00a0over.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0put<\/span>\u00a0his<\/span>\u00a0hand<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0couldn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0feel<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0somewhere<\/span>\u00a0else.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>five<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0old<\/span>\u00a0standing<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0hot<\/span>\u00a0driveway<\/span>\u00a0watching<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>green<\/span>\u00a0Buick<\/span>\u00a0pull<\/span>\u00a0away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJo.<\/span>\u00a0Talk<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy<\/span>\u00a0mother<\/span>\u00a0wrote<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0letter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis<\/span>\u00a0sat<\/span>\u00a0down.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0say<\/span>\u00a0anything<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0long<\/span>\u00a0time.<\/span>Then<\/span>\u00a0he<\/span>\u00a0said,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cWhat<\/span>\u00a0do<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0want<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0said,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0want<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0go<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0Macon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

I<\/span>\u00a0drove<\/span>\u00a0alone<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0offered<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0come.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0no.<\/span>\u00a0This<\/span>was<\/span>\u00a0mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0address<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0small<\/span>\u00a0house<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0dead-end<\/span>\u00a0street.<\/span>Overgrown<\/span>\u00a0hedges.<\/span>\u00a0A<\/span>\u00a0mailbox<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0flag<\/span>\u00a0up.<\/span>\u00a0A<\/span>\u00a0porch<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0plastic<\/span>\u00a0chair<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0coffee<\/span>\u00a0can<\/span>\u00a0full<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0cigarette<\/span>butts.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0sat<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0car<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0eleven<\/span>\u00a0minutes.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0counted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0walked<\/span>\u00a0up<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0knocked.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0opened<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0door.<\/span>\u00a0Fifty-seven<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0old.<\/span>\u00a0Shorter<\/span>than<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0remembered,<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0five<\/span>\u00a0when<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0last<\/span>\u00a0saw<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>so<\/span>\u00a0everything<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0bigger<\/span>\u00a0then.<\/span>\u00a0Gray<\/span>\u00a0roots<\/span>\u00a0growing<\/span>through<\/span>\u00a0faded<\/span>\u00a0brown<\/span>\u00a0hair.<\/span>\u00a0Housecoat.<\/span>\u00a0No<\/span>\u00a0makeup.<\/span>Lines<\/span>\u00a0around<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0mouth<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0decades<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0smoking.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0looked<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span>\u00a0Her<\/span>\u00a0eyes<\/span>\u00a0went<\/span>\u00a0wide<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0then<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>whole<\/span>\u00a0face<\/span>\u00a0crumpled.<\/span>\u00a0Her<\/span>\u00a0chin<\/span>\u00a0started<\/span>\u00a0trembling<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>reached<\/span>\u00a0both<\/span>\u00a0arms<\/span>\u00a0toward<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJolene.<\/span>\u00a0Oh<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0God,<\/span>\u00a0Jolene.<\/span>\u00a0My<\/span>\u00a0baby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0stood<\/span>\u00a0there.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0move.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0reach<\/span>\u00a0back.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>looked<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0come<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>\u00a0real<\/span>\u00a0soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0started<\/span>\u00a0crying.<\/span>\u00a0Full<\/span>\u00a0body<\/span>\u00a0crying,<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0kind<\/span>\u00a0where<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0shoulders<\/span>\u00a0shake<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0no<\/span>\u00a0sound<\/span>\u00a0comes<\/span>\u00a0out<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>first<\/span>\u00a0few<\/span>\u00a0seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0know.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0know.<\/span>\u00a0Baby,<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0forced.<\/span>\u00a0Your<\/span>\u00a0daddy,<\/span>\u00a0he<\/span>owed,<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0people<\/span>\u00a0he<\/span>\u00a0owed,<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0they\u2019d<\/span>\u00a0hurt<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>I<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t,<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0to,<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0no<\/span>\u00a0choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cYou<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0choice.<\/span>\u00a0You<\/span>\u00a0could<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0called<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0police.<\/span>You<\/span>\u00a0could<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0run.<\/span>\u00a0You<\/span>\u00a0could<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0done<\/span>\u00a0anything<\/span>except<\/span>\u00a0hand<\/span>\u00a0your<\/span>\u00a0five-year-old<\/span>\u00a0daughter<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0stranger<\/span>for<\/span>\u00a0$800<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt<\/span>\u00a0wasn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0like<\/span>\u00a0that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0exactly<\/span>\u00a0like<\/span>\u00a0that.<\/span>\u00a0Darlene<\/span>\u00a0told<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0every<\/span>\u00a0day<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0rotten.<\/span>\u00a0That<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0sold<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0bad.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>believed<\/span>\u00a0her,<\/span>\u00a0Mama.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0believed<\/span>\u00a0her<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0thirty<\/span>\u00a0years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0sobbing<\/span>\u00a0now.<\/span>\u00a0Reaching<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0me.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0stepped<\/span>back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0can\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0do<\/span>\u00a0this,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0said.<\/span>\u00a0\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0thought<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0could,<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0can\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0walked<\/span>\u00a0back<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0my<\/span>\u00a0car.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0sat<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0driver\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0seat.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>closed<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0door.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0looked<\/span>\u00a0at<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0house.<\/span>\u00a0She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0still<\/span>standing<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0doorway,<\/span>\u00a0crying.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0drove<\/span>\u00a0home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Curtis<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0porch<\/span>\u00a0when<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0got<\/span>\u00a0back.<\/span>\u00a0Biscuit<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>next<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0him.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0ask<\/span>\u00a0what<\/span>\u00a0happened.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>handed<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0glass<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0sweet<\/span>\u00a0tea<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0sat<\/span>\u00a0down.<\/span><\/p>\n

We<\/span>\u00a0sat<\/span>\u00a0there<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0long<\/span>\u00a0time.<\/span>\u00a0The<\/span>\u00a0sky<\/span>\u00a0went<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0blue<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>orange<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0dark.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0said,<\/span>\u00a0\u201cShe<\/span>\u00a0cried.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe<\/span>\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0no<\/span>\u00a0choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat<\/span>\u00a0do<\/span>\u00a0you<\/span>\u00a0think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI<\/span>\u00a0think<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0choice.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0think<\/span>\u00a0she<\/span>\u00a0made<\/span>\u00a0it.<\/span>\u00a0And<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>think<\/span>\u00a0she\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0been<\/span>\u00a0telling<\/span>\u00a0herself<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0different<\/span>\u00a0version<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>thirty<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0because<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0real<\/span>\u00a0version<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0too<\/span>\u00a0ugly<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0live<\/span>with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0say<\/span>\u00a0anything.<\/span>\u00a0He<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>\u00a0put<\/span>\u00a0his<\/span>\u00a0hand<\/span>\u00a0on<\/span>mine.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0still<\/span>\u00a0have<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0letter.<\/span>\u00a0It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0nightstand<\/span>\u00a0drawer.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>haven\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0thrown<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0away.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0haven\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0read<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0again.<\/span>\u00a0It<\/span>\u00a0just<\/span>sits<\/span>\u00a0there.<\/span>\u00a0Every<\/span>\u00a0night<\/span>\u00a0before<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0turn<\/span>\u00a0off<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0lamp<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0see<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0corner<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0sticking<\/span>\u00a0out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some<\/span>\u00a0mornings<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0wake<\/span>\u00a0up<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0five<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>\u00a0old<\/span>\u00a0again.<\/span>Yellow<\/span>\u00a0sundress.<\/span>\u00a0Grocery<\/span>\u00a0bag.<\/span>\u00a0Hot<\/span>\u00a0pavement.<\/span>\u00a0My<\/span>mother<\/span>\u00a0waving<\/span>\u00a0from<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0porch.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0ever<\/span>\u00a0call<\/span>\u00a0her.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0if<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019ll<\/span>\u00a0ever<\/span>go<\/span>\u00a0back.<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0I\u2019m<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0rotten.<\/span>\u00a0It<\/span>\u00a0took<\/span>\u00a0me<\/span>\u00a0thirty<\/span>\u00a0years<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0learn<\/span>\u00a0that,<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0it<\/span>\u00a0now.<\/span><\/p>\n

And<\/span>\u00a0I<\/span>\u00a0know<\/span>\u00a0that<\/span>\u00a0$800<\/span><\/span>\u00a0was<\/span>\u00a0not<\/span>\u00a0enough.<\/span>\u00a0Not<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0a<\/span>\u00a0child.<\/span>Not<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0thirty<\/span>\u00a0years.<\/span>\u00a0Not<\/span>\u00a0for<\/span>\u00a0anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0coffee\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0done.<\/span>\u00a0Curtis<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0kitchen.<\/span>\u00a0Biscuit<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>under<\/span>\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0table.<\/span>\u00a0It\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0Tuesday<\/span>\u00a0again.<\/span><\/p>\n

End of story.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She\u00a0leaned\u00a0in\u00a0and\u00a0kissed\u00a0my\u00a0forehead.\u00a0She\u00a0said,\u00a0\u201cBegood\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0nice\u00a0lady,\u00a0baby.\u00a0Mama\u00a0will\u00a0come\u00a0back\u00a0realsoon.\u201d Then\u00a0she\u00a0closed\u00a0the\u00a0door. The\u00a0car\u00a0backed\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0driveway.\u00a0I\u00a0turned\u00a0around\u00a0inmy\u00a0seat\u00a0and\u00a0watched\u00a0my\u00a0mother\u00a0standing\u00a0on\u00a0theporch.\u00a0She\u00a0was\u00a0waving.\u00a0She\u00a0was\u00a0smiling.\u00a0I\u00a0waved\u00a0backuntil\u00a0we\u00a0turned\u00a0the\u00a0corner\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0see\u00a0heranymore. She\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0come\u00a0back\u00a0real\u00a0soon.\u00a0She\u00a0did\u00a0not\u00a0comeback\u00a0at\u00a0all. 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I\u00a0ruined\u00a0two\u00a0relationships\u00a0before\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0twenty-five.\u00a0Noton\u00a0purpose.\u00a0I\u00a0just\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0let\u00a0anyone\u00a0get\u00a0close.\u00a0Everytime\u00a0someone\u00a0said\u00a0\u201cI\u00a0love\u00a0you,\u201d\u00a0my\u00a0brain\u00a0said\u00a0\u201cYourmama\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0you.\u201d\u00a0Every\u00a0time\u00a0someone\u00a0left\u00a0thehouse\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0sure\u00a0they\u00a0weren\u2019t\u00a0coming\u00a0back. I\u00a0had\u00a0two\u00a0miscarriages.\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0married\u00a0for\u00a0fourteenmonths\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0time.\u00a0He\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0bad.\u00a0I\u00a0just\u00a0couldn\u2019tstop\u00a0testing\u00a0him.\u00a0Picking\u00a0fights\u00a0to\u00a0see\u00a0if\u00a0he\u2019d\u00a0leave.\u00a0Hedid.\u00a0I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0blame\u00a0him. Then\u00a0I\u00a0met\u00a0Curtis.\u00a0Curtis\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0man\u00a0whodoesn\u2019t\u00a0flinch.\u00a0I\u00a0tested\u00a0him\u00a0for\u00a0two\u00a0solid\u00a0years\u00a0and\u00a0hejust\u00a0kept\u00a0showing\u00a0up.\u00a0He\u2019d\u00a0say,\u00a0\u201cYou\u00a0done?\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0thenhe\u2019d\u00a0make\u00a0dinner.\u00a0He\u00a0married\u00a0me\u00a0anyway.\u00a0I\u00a0still\u00a0don\u2019tunderstand\u00a0why. Last\u00a0Tuesday.\u00a0April.\u00a0I\u00a0was\u00a0sitting\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0kitchen\u00a0table\u00a0inour\u00a0apartment\u00a0in\u00a0Decatur.\u00a0Curtis\u00a0was\u00a0making\u00a0coffee.Biscuit\u00a0was\u00a0under\u00a0the\u00a0table\u00a0chewing\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0sock. The\u00a0mail\u00a0came\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0slot\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0it\u00a0always\u00a0does.Bills,\u00a0a\u00a0coupon\u00a0packet\u00a0from\u00a0Kroger,\u00a0a\u00a0flyer\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0pestcontrol\u00a0company.\u00a0And\u00a0a\u00a0letter.\u00a0Plain\u00a0white\u00a0envelope.\u00a0Noreturn\u00a0address.\u00a0My\u00a0name\u00a0and\u00a0address\u00a0handwritten\u00a0inblue\u00a0ink.\u00a0Handwriting\u00a0I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0recognize. 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