Obsession 3 by Treasure Hernandez Page B

under her breath. She thought for a moment and then snapped her finger. “I got it! You can come stay with me, at least until we can figure everything out with your housing.”
    If Secret could have, she would have jumped out of that bed and done the Holy Ghost dance she’d witnessed members of her grandmother’s church doing when she was a little girl. It used to scare her to death. She thought those people were possessed the way their heads used to bob up and down with their arms flailing wildly.
    â€œAre you serious? Are you sure?” Secret didn’t want to appear too excited and come across as if she’d been waiting for Ray to say that all along, even though that’s exactly what she’d been waiting for.
    â€œSure.” She looked down at Dina. “Like I said, I’d love the sound of a little one in the house.”
    At first that put a smile on Secret’s face, but then it suddenly turned to a frown. “But what about Ivy?”
    Ray shooed her hand. “Ivy is on tour with her band. She’ll be gone for the next two weeks.”
    â€œBut what if it takes longer than two weeks to look into my place, get on my feet, and get situated?”
    â€œDoesn’t today have enough worries of its own? We’ll drive ourselves crazy if we concern ourselves with two weeks from now, don’t you think?”
    If it was only Secret fending for herself, she would have agreed with Ray. But she had another life she was in charge of. She didn’t want to find herself thrown out on the streets, homeless with a baby. If that was the case, perhaps Dina would be better off going to a foster family or something.
    Seeing the doubt and worry in Secret’s eyes, Ray walked over and put her hand on Secret’s shoulder. “Knowing your story and the fact that I’m in a position to help you but didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”
    Secret thought Ray could teach Lucky a thing or two about having a conscience.
    â€œPlease, let me help you. At least let me get in touch with someone who can. Your mother, best friend, father, anybody.”
    â€œNegative,” Secret said, shaking her head. “My mother is the one who kicked me out onto the streets in the first place, after trying to beat my baby out of me.”
    Ray gasped.
    â€œMy father, he’s either dead, somewhere with a needle in his arm shooting up drugs, or he’s dead somewhere with a needle in his arm. Or he’s at his home away from home: jail. My best friend, she came to visit me when I first got locked up but I haven’t heard from her since. I’ve been so worried about having this baby in jail that I haven’t had time to worry where she is at. But knowing Shawndiece, she’s okay. If anybody is a survivor, that chick is.” Secret let out a soft laugh. “She’s probably over in Paris right now with some guy spending all his money.” Secret’s eyes filled with sadness. For the first time ever it hit her that she had nobody, not a single soul. It was just her and Dina.
    â€œWell, you have me,” Ray said almost as if she’d heard Secret’s thoughts out loud.
    Secret looked up at Ray and smiled with teary eyes. She placed her hand on top of Ray’s that rested on her shoulder. “Thank you,” Secret lipped, trying to keep from breaking down into her ugly cry.
    For the past month she’d been living a nightmare and now it felt like a dream was coming true.

Chapter 8
    â€œWhoa, this is a really nice place you and Ivy have.” Secret set down Dina’s car seat that held the sleeping baby.
    â€œThank you,” Ray said, closing the door behind the three of them.
    Secret stood in the middle of the foyer with hardwood floors and did a quick spin.
    â€œGirl, why you acting like Belle in the movie Beauty and the Beast? ” Ray laughed.
    â€œBecause this place is like a castle. Dang.”
    Ray nodded.