Free Insatiable by Allison Hobbs Page A

apartment.
    “Mom, you think you can stay over at Gran’s if I call you a cab?” she asked weakly.
    “Oh! So, you just gonna send me out into the night. Treat me like I’m some stranger off the street.”
    “Mom, please!” Terelle shouted. Then, as if surprised by her outburst, she lowered her head, and rubbed her temples. “Marquise is on house arrest. You know he can’t leave. Now, calm down. I’m gonna call Gran and tell her you’re coming, okay?”
    “I can’t believe my own flesh and blood would put this worthless…,” Cassandra started.
    “Worthless!” Marquise shoved Markeeta into Terelle’s arms, and then edged closer to Cassandra. “Let me tell you ’bout worthless…” His mouth twisted furiously. “I can’t even count how many times I had to front your worthless ass when I was hustlin’. You just ran wit that shit, Miss Cassy. You was always up in my face beggin’. I couldn’t turn you down ’cause you’re my girl’s mom. And every time my money came up short, it was because of your beggin’ ass.”
    “You didn’t front me shit,” Cassandra began, “so, let’s not get it twisted. I have a problem, but I damn sure don’t have amnesia.” Nodding her head, Cassandra’s mouth curved into an ugly smile. “Since you wanna run your mouth, why don’t you tell Terelle the real story?”
    With growing alarm, Terelle whispered, “What? What’s she talking about, Quise?”
    “Man, she talkin’ shit.” Marquise shot Cassandra a murderous look.
    “Am I? The way I remember it, we came out even. You gave me drugs; I sucked your dick!”
    “Oh my God!” Terelle screamed, and then covered her mouth in shock.
    “You lyin’, stank-ass bitch!” Marquise grabbed Cassandra’s arm and roughly pulled her toward the door. “You’re outta here,” he said, as he turned the doorknob.
    “Get your hands offa me.” Refusing to be put out, Cassandra gripped the doorframe. “Terelle, help! Tell this muthafucker to let me go,” she shouted.
    Terelle didn’t respond. She couldn’t. She paced and whimpered as she rocked Markeeta in her arms. She felt disabled: blind, deaf…mute. Tears blurred her vision; she could barely see the two figures tussling near the now open doorway. Her mother’s accusation— I sucked your dick —rang loudly in her mind. The sound of those words was so deafening, she was unable to hear the slamming door. She sensed Marquise’s presence. Felt him gently touch her shoulder as he turned her around. Don’t touch me ! She wanted to scream, but she could not speak.
    “She lyin’, babe,” he said. “I would never disrespect you or myself like that.” His eyes, moist with emotion, attempted to convey sincerity.
    She wanted to believe him—needed to believe him because nothing else made sense. But Terelle was tired, beat down.
    “I can’t deal with this tonight,” she said in a choked voice.
    “Okay, go get some rest. I’ll straighten up the kitchen. Try to get some sleep, okay, babe?”
    Teary-eyed and dazed, she nodded, and then stumbled to the bedroom. She put Markeeta in her own small youth bed, stripped out of her clothing and slid into bed.
    Sleep did not come easily.

Chapter Twelve
    “ T his is one of my favorite places for outdoor exercising. Isn’t it lovely?” Kai asked as she pulled into a parking spot along Kelly Drive that faced the Schylkill River. En route, she’d decided against taking LaVella to her apartment and definitely against feeding her. Kai became nauseous at the thought of LaVella stuffing her face. More importantly, she was certain she didn’t want her new “friend” to know where she lived.
    “Have you been here before?”
    LaVella shook her head and looked around anxiously. “Rode pass…saw all the people riding bikes, jogging and skating, but I never thought about coming here myself. I’d probably feel outta place.”
    “It’s a beautiful place in the spring and summer. I love to watch the boat races. That’s the