Free Mistress by Meisha Camm Page B

assault.”
    “I’m on the way.”
    I gently nudged Pop and told him about what was going on. He figured Maria must’ve had a good reason to put her hands on a grown man. Pop gave me five hundred dollars in cash and promised that he would take care of Ma, just in case I don’t come back before she wakes up. I didn’t want her to worry or come down to the jail station.
    Carl and I got there at the same time. It turned out he was the AA sponsor for Maria’s mother. We walked in, and I sat down as he spoke with the woman behind the desk.
    “How much do I owe you?” I pulled out my red leather wallet. I only had eighty dollars plus the five hundred dollars Pop gave me.
    My parents and I would do anything for Maria. She’s more of a sister to me than a friend. A few years ago, when her mother was completely out of control, my parents thought about taking her in till her mother could get back on her feet.
    “Consider this one on me. Do you know exactly what happened earlier tonight and got Maria here?” he asked, holding up his arms.
    “No, I don’t really know everything, except for Maria’s mother’s boyfriend pressed charges on her for assault.”
    “You and I both will find out soon, because Maria is going to come out in thirty minutes.”
    After Maria came out her holding cell, she was brought to us at the office. This office looked old and worn-down.
    A fresh coat of paint couldn’t hurt. The table in the middle of the room was standing, not on four, but three legs. Outdated magazines were scattered across the table. I could tell so many people had been in the exact seat as Mr. Bullard. I was wondering what was going on with their loved ones.
    Maria had a yellow sheet of paper with her, explaining the charges and her court date. Mr. Bullard handed her a business card with the name and number of a criminal defense attorney. Plus, he had her sign a whole bunch of papers.
    Finally, he offered her a ride home, but she declined because I was going to take her home or to my home, whichever she wanted to do.
    “I’m glad you’re all right.” I gave her a hug.
    We walked out the building heading toward my car.
    “I didn’t know PJs were the new thing to wear.” Maria laughed, trying to make light of the situation. “So tell me what happened.”
    “I noticed Ma’s last no-good fly was starting to come around. She’d made all this progress, and I didn’t want Earnest bringing her down. He uses alcohol to cope with his problems, and she was trying not to continue to do the same thing. I’ve been to the AA meetings. She hasn’t been the best mother, but I still give her my full support. Well, Earnest kept coming around and his dirty magic must have worked, because Mom has started drinking again. It’s only been two weeks.
    “I wonder why do I even bother with her. She started staying out till two o’clock, three o’clock in the morning or not even bothering to come home at all. Earlier tonight, I came home from Peter’s house, only to find Earnest and Ma dancing in the living room to Earth, Wind and Fire’s song, “September ” , and drinking their own individual bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey.
    “I immediately turned the music off. ‘Get out, the party is over,’ I yelled at him”.
    “You don’t pay bills in this house.”
    “Neither do you.”
    “If your mother wants me to go, then I will. Otherwise, you’re wasting your breath.” He took a big gulp of his bottle of whiskey, drops pouring down his mouth.
    “How could my mother even like him? He’s dirty and reeks of I’ve-been-drinking-for-a-whole-week-and-haven’tbrushed-my-teeth breath. You can smell him ten feet away. The smell lingers in the air even after he’s long gone”.
    “Maria, baby, turn the music back on. We were having fun.” She snickered and pulled Earnest closer to her.
    “Mom, you’re drunk. I’m so disappointed in you. You take three steps forward and thirty steps back,” I spat back in disgust and rolled