Ebony Angel by Deatri King-Bey

Smoke?”
    The men sat along the wall of the gymnasium, drinking bottles of water. Trae had arranged to rent the gymnasium every Saturday afternoon for his private games. Ebony didn’t usually attend the games, but insisted on going this time. Richard was sure to watch over him.
    Richard was surprised when three Puerto Ricans joined the game. “I don’t go that way,” Richard joked. “Ebony’s my girl.”
    Skeet laughed. “Damn, Jose, I didn’t know you were sweet.”
    One of the lookouts ran into the gym and pulled Trae to the side. Richard watched Trae pace, obviously agitated by what the man said.
    “Smoke,” Trae called.
    “Yeah.” He ran over.
    “Take the girls to your place for a while. I’ll contact you later. Ebony, Crystal, grab your things. You’ve got to go.”
    “What’s going on?” Richard asked.
    “The cops are about three minutes away. You need to leave.”
    “Okay, I’m out.” In his head, Richard knew what Trae was, but now it was finally registering what Trae was. This was not a game, or make-believe. He looked at the Puerto Rican males. They were most likely drug associates. Fear, anxiety and anger rushed through Richard. How could he have allowed himself to be caught in the company of men like these? He had to get his girls away from this lifestyle.
    “Smoke.” Trae paused. “I don’t want this life for Ebony and Crystal. I’m stepping to the side to give them a chance. I can’t step out. You understand what I’m saying?”
    “I do,” he answered, but was not entirely convinced.
    Trae walked toward Skeet, still speaking to Richard. “Get them out of here, Smoke. You only have two minutes left.”

CHAPTER TEN
    Ebony’s silence worried Richard. She had remained quiet the entire drive to his home, staring out the window, seemingly on the verge of tears.
    He unlocked his condo door. “Why don’t you take your rope and jump in the dining room, Crystal?”
    Crystal tore off her coat. “I actually get to jump in the house?”
    “Until we get downstairs neighbors, yes.”
    She flashed a broad, happy smile. “I love your place.” She took off her boots and ran, sliding to the center of the dining room with her rope.
    He hung their coats in the closet. “We need to talk.” The arrival of their first argument traveled with dread. Why she chose to live in Trae’s shadow instead of moving to a suitable environment to raise Crystal confused and angered him. It was as if she wanted out of the drug life on one hand, but still wanted to hold on as a security blanket on the other.
    She nodded, then headed for the bedroom. He followed, wondering why she tried to save everyone except herself. She purposely surrounded herself with people in need. Things had changed for her, whether she knew it or not. Now she had someone to watch out for her best interests.
    He searched his mind for reasons. She had the kindest heart he had ever known. There was no way she would choose to raise her child in a drug-infested environment. She was too close to the situation to see that she had alternatives. That had to be it. He loved her, and planned on showing her she had choices.
    Ebony slumped on the chaise lounge. Richard sat on the edge of the bed, reached forward and took her hand into his. “I can’t stand by and watch you die.”
    Her head tilted to the side.
    “When you heard Trae had funneled money into my business, I saw the light in your eyes dim.” She stiffened. “When we had to leave the gym abruptly…” his throat tightened and voice trailed off. “I love you too much to watch you sacrifice yourself.”
    “I’m not sacrificing myself, I’m helping my family,” she said softly.
    “By carrying their burdens, their guilt, forgiving sins? By running around passing out rehab pamphlets, gloves, sandwiches?”
    Overwhelmed by frustration, a part of him wanted to bolt. But he couldn’t. Though they had only known each other a short time, his love for her was genuine, and he owed her