Keeping Secrets by Treasure Hernandez Page B

quick. She figured she’d have her first paycheck in enough time before she got too far along in the pregnancy when it would be too late to terminate it. That way she could eliminate having to tell her mother anything at all. But with the whole job application and interview process, she knew she’d be pushing it close. She didn’t want to take that chance.
    She hated that the thought had even crossed her mind, but just so she could leave her mother out of the whole scenario, she thought about maybe even turning another trick just to get the money she’d need. Her skin crawled at the thought of that, though. She’d made her mind up. She didn’t know how, but Secret was going to get rid of that baby so help her God.

Chapter Ten
    Secret was so happy when she walked in the door and there was no sign of her mother. She had too much on her mind right now and the last thing she needed was Yolanda nagging and complaining. The last Secret remembered, Yolanda was off work today at her job as a store manager at a local convenience store. She’d either gotten called in or had driven to Detroit to the casino like she was good for doing.
    â€œI hope she hits it big,” Secret said to herself as she walked in the kitchen to see what was good to eat. “’Cause I’m gonna need some of that money.”
    â€œWhat did you say? And why you making all that goddamn noise waking me up and shit? I finally get a day off and your ass don’t want a bitch to get no rest.”
    Secret was stunned when she turned around to see her mother’s head lifted on the couch. Her mind had been so far gone that she hadn’t even seen her lying there on the couch when she walked in the door. As a matter of fact, she couldn’t recall seeing her car outside either.
    â€œOh, I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t even see you lying down there,” Secret apologized. “I didn’t see your car parked outside either.”
    â€œThat’s because that old bitch a couple doors down let one of her tricks park in my spot again,” Yolanda spat. “I had to park way down in the visitor’s spot. Next time, whichever nigga she let park in my spot ain’t gon’ have no money to pay for her pussy because they gon’ be too busy replacing all four of their tires. I’ma have that mutherfucker sittin’ on bricks fuckin’ with my parking spot.”
    Oh well, Secret thought as her mother’s voice rang loudly in her ears. Looks like I’m not going to have any peace after all.
    Secret opened the refrigerator and started fumbling through some of the left over containers. The first container she opened was a couple pieces of tilapia her mother had cooked the night before. Secret hated the taste of leftover fish. It just didn’t warm up well in the microwave. It turned mushy. The next container was some garlic mashed potatoes that she herself had made. She loved garlic mashed potatoes; the only thing was she couldn’t even remember how long ago she’d made them. She made a mental note to clean the refrigerator out before her mother got to cussing and fussing about it. Next she pulled out a container from the back of the fridge. When she opened the lid the sharp smell of old broccoli and cheese assaulted her nose. She quickly put the lid back on it, but the smell lingered.
    Secret quickly threw the container back in its spot as she began to gag. She tried to get her throat reflexes under control as she held her stomach. She continued to gag, knowing she’d better make her way to the bathroom and fast.
    Like she was trying out for the US track team in the Olympics, Secret closed the fridge door and sprinted to the bathroom. Barely making it to the commode, she quickly lifted the toilet seat and began to heave into the bowl. The smell of the porcelain and that little blue toilet cleaner that hung on the side of the bowl made her puke even more. After about five