Free We Didn’t See it Coming by Christine Young-Robinson

Kenley.”
    Tessa looked over at Noelle. She realized that if she had not lost her baby, Rupert Houston would have two daughters the same age.
    Across the aisle, Baron studied the back of Tessa, but when she turned around he could not believe his eyes.
    â€œTessa,” he whispered. She was just as beautiful to him as when he had met her decades ago. Her long, black hair flowed down her back. Her body had gained a few pounds—in all the right places—which made him hunger for her more.
    Baron wanted to go up to her, but the guilt of his encounter with Aniyah kept him in his seat. He held his head down, hoping that she would not notice him.
    Tessa went up and viewed the bodies. She glanced over at Rupert’s body while standing at Alana’s casket. She cried, wiping tears from her eyes. “Forgive me,” she said as she made the sign of the crosswith her right hand. She held on to the rosaries around her neck and moved away to let others take their last view.
    The services were short, and so was the last resting place ceremony. Aniyah didn’t stay for the services. She exited the church while Tessa viewed the bodies.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Baron looked for signs of Tessa at the Houston Estate. Hopefully, she had come back to the servants’ quarters to visit old friends, like Elsa, who didn’t make it to the funeral. Milandra ordered that she stay at the estate and prepare the food for their guests.
    Once the house was cleared of family and friends, he sat down with the Houstons.
    Elsa took charge and poured them hot tea. She kept her ears open to hear what their conversation would be. She wondered if her job would still be secure now that Rupert and Alana Houston were gone.
    Milandra waited until she finished pouring them a cup of tea.
    â€œExcuse yourself, Elsa.”
    â€œYes, Miss Houston.”
    Elsa made her way out of the room. Milandra brought her attention to Baron.
    â€œLet’s get down to business, the reading of the will. My sisters and I want to see what Father has put into place for us now that Mother is gone, too.”
    â€œDo I have to stay and listen to all this?” Kenley asked, not caring for any talk on business. She wanted to run along, get rid of the clothes she had on, and change into a pair of jeans. She was ready to contact her friends to drown out her pain.
    â€œOf course you do,” Noelle said. “This is your future we’re speaking of also.”
    â€œKenley, grow up. You have no idea who you really are,” Milandra said.
    â€œI’m a teenager!” she shouted. “I’m not old enough to be handling paperwork and all that stuff. May I be excused?”
    â€œHow dare you raise your tone of voice to me? I forbid you to speak to me in front of company in such a way. Apologize to Mr. Chavis,” Milandra scolded her.
    Kenley pouted. “I apologize. I wish Father and Mother were here,” she cried out, falling back onto the sofa, no longer sitting in an upright position like her sisters.
    The attorney took over the conversation. “Well, tomorrow in my office we can have the reading of the will. If there is anyone else to notify, I’ll do it this evening.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Noelle asked.
    He hesitated. “I was speaking in general as a lawyer. But I must go over the paperwork one last time to make sure everything is in order. I should be going.”
    â€œThat means I can go, too,” Kenley said, beating him out of the seat.
    â€œSee you in the morning at eleven o’clock. Is that sufficient?”
    â€œMr. Chavis, we’ll get an early start. Make it nine,” Milandra said.
    The sisters saw him out. Noelle wanted her sister to escape right along with Kenley, but Milandra was her twin for that second.

Chapter 11
    A niyah tossed her hat onto the bed. She raced to a newly purchased bottle of rum and poured a drink. She spoke out loud, “What the hell is wrong