White Lines III by Tracy Brown

saw one. Sunny was fidgety, wild-eyed, and agitated. She was skinnier than the last time he’d seen her, only weeks ago. She kept sniffling absentmindedly, rubbing at the bridge of her nose. She was longing for another hit, and Patrick shook his head in pity as he watched her.
    â€œMy mother is a nicer person than I am. She likes to pray about things, and she stays calm in situations like this because she don’t like confrontation. So she’s willing to let you off the hook right now, because she can see that you’re upset. But I’m not like her. I didn’t come all the way over here to get disrespected. And I don’t care how aggravated you get. You don’t scare me.”
    Sunny sucked her teeth hard. “Please, Patrick! You don’t scare me either!”
    â€œGood,” he said, calmly. “I’m not trying to. But I am gonna say what’s on my mind. And after that, I’ll leave.”
    â€œNo,” Sunny said, her voice raised. “You can leave now ! I don’t give a shit about what’s on your mind!”
    â€œMaybe you’ll give a shit when you get served with papers!” Patrick was done handling Sunny with kid gloves. “I’m gonna make sure that my niece is okay.”
    â€œYou don’t even care about your niece! This shit is all about the cash, Patrick. And you can kiss my ass, cuz you will never get your hands on Dorian’s money!”
    â€œYou’re paranoid! See what I’m saying? What the hell does this have to do with money, Sunny?” Patrick demanded.
    â€œYou tell me!” she yelled back at him. “What’s the plan? Get Mercedes and then sue me for support? You must be crazy!”
    Patrick laughed. “Nah. You’re the one who’s crazy.”
    Jada approached the door to Sunny’s parents’ house and heard raised voices coming from the other side of the door. She could make out Sunny’s voice above the others, and a booming baritone countering her. Jada wondered what hell had broken loose in there, and for a moment she considered leaving. Perhaps this was a bad time. But she had to see Sunny. She needed to give her friend a hug and some reassurance, and to hear her version of the events in Mexico. Jenny G had answered the phone at Sunny’s apartment when Jada called, and warned her that the press was staked out all around Sunny’s high-rise. She said that Sunny and Mercedes were hiding out in Brooklyn and Jada had sped right over. She couldn’t leave now without seeing her friend. She took a deep breath, said a quick and silent prayer, and rang the doorbell. A minute later, amid the noise of the continuing argument, Marisol opened the door. An expression of pure exhaustion was etched on her face. She sighed with relief at the sight of Sunny’s one true friend.
    â€œJada!” Marisol unlocked the screen door and ushered Jada inside. Pausing in the foyer, she turned to Jada and shook her head. “ Mami , thank God you are here. Sunny really needs you.” Marisol stole a glance toward her kitchen before turning back to Jada again. “Dale ran out to get us some groceries. Dorian’s mother and his brother are here. They are threatening to fight her for custody of Mercedes.”
    Jada sighed. This was the last thing Sunny needed right now. “What the hell happened?” Jada asked in a muted whisper. “Last I heard, Sunny and Malcolm went to Mexico to celebrate her birthday. The next thing I know, Mindy Milford and TMZ are showing pictures of Sunny surrounded by cameras at JFK.” She searched Marisol’s face for answers. “Is it true what they’re saying? She’s getting high again?”
    Marisol nodded, then looked down at her hands and burst into tears. She sobbed silently, squeezing her eyes shut as she wept. Jada hugged Sunny’s mom, rubbing her back comfortingly.
    â€œMy God.” Jada whispered. “Don’t