Charge It To The Game by Blake Karrington, Tonya Blount Page B

down.‖
―Why?‖ I asked
defensively. ―Storm!‖
I ignored her and walked away toward the window
and pushed the drapes open. Then I turned to Miss LT.
―What‘s wrong?‖
―Why you chasing him
away?‖ ―Who?‖
―Your young man. Why you chasing him away? He‘s
a good man, Storm.‖
―How do you always know? No matter where I am,
you always know? And don‘t tell me that story about how you
were born with a veil over your face.‖
Miss LT ignored me. ―You gotta trust
him.‖ ―I do trust him.‖
―You‘re lying,‖ Miss LT retorted. ―No, you don‘t. He
ain‘t the one you need to be watching out for.‖
―What do you mean?‖
―He ain‘t the one,‖ Miss LT struggled to repeat.
I walked closer to Miss LT, picked up her hand and kissed it. ―I need you, Miss LT.‖
    ―You‘ll be fine, chile‘. You know how to take care yourself. Just get all those snakes out your closet before they bite.‖
    ―I won‘ t be fine without you. What are you trying to say to me?‖
―I‘m so tired.‖
―Okay, then. Eat a little piece of this cake. Then you can try and get some sleep.‖
―Storm, please listen to me…I‘m tired,‖ Miss LT repeated with great sternness.
―Miss LT…please, please stop saying that.‖
―I want you to take care of yourself. You here? I want you to let go of the pain that them sorry ass niggas done gave you. You betta than them. You here what I‘m telling you? You didn‘t sink in the sand that they threw you in, you stood on top and walked bravely across it. Ain‘t too many women out here can say they done been where you came from and blessed enough to be on top.
―Remember, anger don‘t complete the woman you are…it takes away from the whole strong woman you done become.‖
I never thought of my survival as being brave , I thought . ―I will. I‘ll let go. Miss LT, I love you.‖
―I love you, too. You the daughter I always
wanted.‖ ―Miss LT?‖
―Yes, baby.‖
―Please don‘t leave me,‖ I selfishly begged. ―Please don‘t die.‖
―I‘ma always be with you Storm. I‘ma always be where you are.‖
―Miss LT, please stop talking this crazy shit!‖ I cried.
Miss LT suddenly began to cough. ―Storm can you go and get me some water.‖
I reached for the pitcher and began to pour her a glass.
―No, baby, dat…dat water there ain‘t fresh. Go on down the hall and get me some fresh water.‖
―Okay,‖ I pulled the colorful crocheted blanket that Miss LT had created overthe white sheet. ―I‘ll be right back.‖
―Thanks, baby.‖
I came back into the room, carrying a pitcher full of ice water. ―Miss L -nooooooooo.‖

Chapter 8
    Since Miss LT had died, I had trouble sleeping. Although I was grateful that I had the chance to say goodbye, I still felt like I had been cheated. I felt so empty inside. Every night I laid in the bed waiting for her energy to return-anything I just wanted to feel her presence, but I didn‘t.
―What you gonna do today?‖ Taj asked.
    ―I don‘t know. I‘m probably gonna meet Black later on. He got some work for me.‖
―That‘s good, ma. You back on the grind. That‘s what‘s up.‖
―I guess. What are you gonna do?‖
    ―Well, you know, I gotta meet dude and pick up this paper. Then I‘m gonna go check on a few things at the club. Why? You wanna do something later on?‖
    ―Well, I‘ m hanging out with Pam and the girls later on tonight. They trying to shake off this funk I‘ve been in and shit. I was thinking about doing some Christmas shopping later.‖
―Christmas shopping? Not you. You hate Christmas.‖
    ―Yeah, I know. But I know it‘s a big deal for you…so I want to try and get into…for you.‖
―Uh…A‘ight, we can do that,‖ Taj agreed and returned a smile.
―What time you gonna be back?‖
―I should be back about two or
three.‖ ―Taj that‘s so late to start
shopping.‖ ―No, it‘s not.‖
―Yes, it is. You know I need about six to seven hours.‖
―So what you wanna do? You