Out a Order by Evie Rhodes

this probably isn’t a good time, but I wanted to talk about the written warning in my file. It’s just that my performance review is coming up and—”
    â€œShonda, I’m here, but I’m not really here, if you know what I mean. As soon as I’m able to deal with this I will. Okay? You have my word.”
    Shonda nodded. “Thanks, Tawney. I’m sorry. I know it’s not a good time.”
    Tawney rose from her desk, stifling the urge to physically throw Shonda from her office. “No, it isn’t a good time, but it’s not your fault.”
    Bright tears shimmered in Shonda’s eyes, making Tawney feel guilty for thinking about physically hurling her from her office. She hugged her, hoping to ease the girl’s awkwardness and pain, even though her own pain was slicing through her like a knife.
    â€œI’ll be okay soon, sweetie. Don’t worry about your performance review. It’s going to come out all right. You’ll be happy. I promise.”
    Shonda brightened. She swiped at a falling teardrop. “Thanks, Tawney. I’m here if you need me.” She stepped from the office.
    Before Tawney could recuperate, Dominique St. James, her best friend, stuck her head in the door. “You gonna make it girlfriend?” She hugged Tawney.
    â€œDomi.” Tawney used her pet nickname for Dominique. “I need a cigarette in the worst way and some fresh air. Let’s get out of this building. Can you break?”
    â€œYeah. Let’s go.”
    Outside the building strolling along, Tawney lit her cigarette, taking fast, short puffs. Dominique observed this but didn’t say anything.
    They walked along for a while before Tawney said, “Dominique, I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. My only child has been gunned down like a dog in the streets. And I don’t know why. And then some boy got killed at Jazz’s funeral. You saw that. And someone brought his body to Shannon.”
    â€œI didn’t see who it was because Shannon was on top of me. There was so much confusion. But I can’t escape the feeling that . . .” Tawney took a long drag from the cigarette. She stopped walking.
    â€œWhat?” Dominique said.
    â€œI don’t know. I thought Shannon had really changed. But lately I just don’t know. What if he’s been doing things I don’t know about? What if his past or present has cost me my child? I don’t know that I can live with that, Domi.” Scalding tears rolled down Tawney’s cheeks.
    Dominique gathered her in her arms. “It’s going to be okay. Just cry it out, girlfriend. You’re entitled. Don’t you ever forget that you’re entitled.”
    Dominique sincerely hoped that Shannon’s bad attitude and street antics hadn’t cost them the life of little Jasmine Davenport.

Chapter 11
    S hannon walked over to the neighborhood nightclub called the Dome. The glittering lights flashed above a neon sign that had the club’s name on it. It was a tightly built structure with a glass dome top. He could see the kaleidoscope of colors reflecting through the glass roof.
    He reached in his jacket pocket for a cigarette. He lit it with his monogrammed lighter. The one Tawney gave him for his birthday. Just looking at it reminded him of her. Her pain over the loss of Jazz was wrapping around him like a blanket. Her pain mingled with his own, felt like a hollow hole in his chest.
    He pushed open the door to the club. He stood inside adjusting his eyes to the smoky, dusky atmosphere before approaching the bar. Smokey, who had been the bartender for as long as Shannon could remember, hurried over to him.
    People were playing pool and watching TV. The jukebox was playing on a low volume.
    â€œSorry about Jazz,” Smokey said before Shannon could speak.
    Shannon looked around the club. “Yeah, man. But death doesn’t automatically end things. You know what I