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

with you, Tessa? How could you come back here to see a dead man who took your innocence? He threw you away like garbage. Are you crazy or what?” she asked, as if her aunt was there in the room with her.
    Aniyah took another gulp of the rum. She continued to speak out loud: “How weak can you be? What is it that made you return here to spoil my chance of living the rich life? I may not be your daughter, but I’m your blood. Everyone says I look just like you, but in no way do I act like you. No man stomps on my heart and gets away with it. No man stomps on my family’s heart and gets away with it. The man—dead or not—must pay. Tessa, go back to Mexico!” she yelled. “You won’t mess up my good fortune.”
    Aniyah threw the glass across the room, shattering it against the wall. She kicked off her shoes and put the bottle of rum up to her mouth, swallowing a mouthful.
    After a few swallows she passed out on the bed, spilling the bottle of rum and soaking her ruined hat.
    She awakened at the time that most people would be leaving work. She realized that the funeral services were over and Rupert was covered with the soil of the earth.
    Her head throbbed and she drank a glass of tomato juice.
    Baron ran across her mind and she picked up the phone and called him.
    â€œHello,” Baron said, praying that she had vanished.
    â€œWhen are you going to read the damn will? I can’t wait any longer. I want what is rightfully mine.”
    â€œI’ve spoken with the Houstons. The will will be read in the morning at my office.”
    â€œDid you tell them bitches about me? I hope you did.”
    He paused. “I’m afraid not. They’re emotionally drained. Today wasn’t the time for me to tell them the news about you.”
    â€œYou’re saying they’re more important than me because I’m his bastard child?” Aniyah replied.
    â€œCalm down,” he said, but at the same time he thought, Women! “I’m not saying that. I know you’re grieving, too.” He remembered the service. “Your mother, Tessa, came to the funeral, but you weren’t there with her. How come?”
    â€œI was there. You didn’t notice me because you were too busy taking care of my freakin’ sisters. Did you speak to my mama?” Aniyah wondered, hoping her secret was still intact.
    â€œThings moved so fast. I didn’t get a chance.”
    â€œWe aren’t speaking,” Aniyah said, thinking quickly. “She didn’t want me to find my papa.”
    â€œYour mother knew what kind of reaction your father would have. She probably didn’t want you to be rejected.”
    â€œWhere are you?” Aniyah wondered.
    â€œI’m on my way home. Another long day.”
    â€œCome over, please. I need company.” Aniyah saddened.
    Baron drove in the direction of his home. Tessa Sanchez was back in Lake Murray. Whatever chance he had to rekindle hisrelationship with her might be squashed. His closeness to Aniyah had put up a blockade between them.
    â€œIt’s late. The reading of the will is at nine o’clock in the morning. Get a good night’s rest. See you in the morning.” He hung up.
    Aniyah ran and got the brand new telephone book she had seen on the ground outside of her apartment door. She searched for his home address and she called a cab.
    Fifteen minutes later, the cab was parked outside her apartment complex waiting on her. She jumped in.
    â€œThis is where I want to go.” She passed the driver a slip of paper with the address on it.
    The driver blew a kiss at her. “Hot! And I don’t mean the heat from my cab.”
    The cab driver pulled off, but peeped at her every so often. He tried to figure out what nationality she was. “So, what are you?”
    Aniyah had heard those words so many times. “Black-Mexican.”
    â€œGirl, if I can make a baby girl as pretty as you, I’m