In fact, getting H to share anything about his life was hard. He eventually told me that he grew up in Columbia with his mother and younger sister. He used
to be a professional bodybuilder and that Donnie was not only his childhood best friend but also his manager. After winning some big competition, they opened the Jumpstart together three years ago with the prize money. They were equal partners but Donnie ran the business side. H was reluctant to take on a managing role since he had no experience with running a club, so instead, he took on the role of “catch all” and helped in whatever way he could.
He explained Donnie's vision for the Jumpstart. It was to be a one-stop spot for niche entertainment or “Something for everyone, every night of the week.” Which was their tag line. At any given time, a customer could find singing acts of all musical styles, exotic and traditional dancers, comedians and other types of unique talents. They weren’t one thing. The goal was to be everything. There was nothing like it in the city and the club was doing well.
After we’d finished eating, we walked together to the front door of the restaurant.
“Can I drop you off at home?”
“No,” I replied, not wanting to share that I was staying at the motel across the street. “I have my, uh, car.” I lied. H gave me a look that made it clear he did not believe a word I was saying.
“I know you are staying across the street, Annette.”
“What? How?”
“How do you think you’ve made it home every night, in this neighborhood without anyone messing with you?”
“You’ve been following me?”
“No, not on purpose… at first. I drove past you one night, and you weren’t that hard to miss. You have no idea how much you stand out in this part of town.” My mind was reeling. He’s been following me home. It was then that I recalled hearing an engine in the distance every time I’d walked home, I kept expecting someone to pass by but never saw a car. I just figured the noise was from the next street over. There I was thinking I’d been taking care of myself while H had been looking after me too. Instead of feeling insulted, I was grateful.
“Thank you.” I whispered, looking down at my feet.
“The world's too big for you to be carrying on those tiny shoulders, darlin’.” He reached up and grabbed a lock of hair that had fallen over my cheek. “This ain’t Haventown.”
“I know.” I closed my eyes as his thumb lightly brushed my cheek.
“Just be careful out here. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Then his touch was gone. I open my eyes in time to see him disappearing around the corner. Crossing the street, I held my breath as I listened to the rumbling of his car engine. When I was inside my room with the door closed, only then did the noise fade away and I exhaled.
****
That night when I pulled open the air vent to add my three hundred and eight dollars to my savings, the entire envelope was gone.
Chapter Six
It was just after ten the following morning when I woke to the loud ringing of the phone on the nightstand.
“Hello.” I croaked, my voice hoarse from crying all night.
“Annetta? Miss. Annetta Andrews?” A woman asked from the other end of the line.
“Y-yes,” I answered as I sat up and tried to pry my puffy eyes open. “Yes, I'm Annetta. Who is this?”
“This is Wilma Davis. Your mother, Maryann, gave us this number to reach you. She is worried about your ability to take care of your children.”
“W-what?” I pulled the phone away from my ear, staring at it for a second like somehow I could see the woman. “You talked to my mother?”
“Yes, this morning after church. Wait, did I wake you? Were you still sleeping? It's nearly lunch time.”
“Hang on, you talked to my mother about my boys?”
“Yes, she said you've been gone for almost a month and that she is not in a position where she can care for them full time. Two energetic toddlers can be a lot to handle. The poor woman was run completely ragged by the end of service this morning.”
“I'm sorry for any disruption they may have caused. I'll give Mama a call right away to check on her and them.”