even

Sunlight stole over the plastic marley floors and the peeling paint on the apartment walls. Jada stirred when she heard a sound from the bed below hers and peeked an eye open in time to see Chelsea racing for the bathroom.

Covering her mouth in a yawn, she stretched and sat up, blinking away the sleep. A few minutes later, the toilet flushed and Chelsea appeared, leaning against the doorframe like a woman three times her age.

“What time is it?”

“It’s almost noon.”

“How did I get home?” she croaked.

“You really don’t remember?”

“I remember going to Gus’s house, drinking wine, changing…” her eyes met Jada’s and Chelsea sputtered. “Nothing more.”

“Really?”

“Yup, nothing.”

“Oh, it definitely wasn’t ‘nothing’.” Jada scaled the ladder and hopped onto the floor, staring her cousin down. “You were passed out. In Gus’s bed. Care to explain?”

“How do you…”

“Adam and I rescued you. Gus was going on and on about how he ‘owned’ you, so I tore the cheque and freed you.” Jada folded her arms across her chest. “You’re welcome.”

“What?” Chelsea shrieked. Holding her head in pain, she crawled to the purse hanging off the chair and opened it up, searching frantically. “Tell me you didn’t do that.”

“I did,” Jada said. “It was the only way to break his hold on you.”

“What have you done?” Chelsea groaned, plopping to the ground. “How are we going to pay rent?”

“I’ll find another way. Trust me.”

“It’s due next week!”

“I said I’ll take care of it.” Jada had no idea how she’d do that, but if she could beg for an extension on their rent, she’d find a way.

“So much money,” Chelsea moaned, tears coming to her eyes. “All that money… just gone.”

“Is that really what matters right now?” Jada cried.

“Yes!” Chelsea’s head whipped around and she pinned Jada with a glare. “Do you think I liked being felt up by Gus? Do you think it made me feel good about myself? It didn’t! But I endured it because I saw the bigger picture!”

“Chels—”

“We all can’t afford to be pious little princesses like you Jada. The real world is harsh and unforgiving. You have to do things you’ll regret sometimes if you want to make it.”

“You were so drunk you could barely see in front of you,” Jada said, coming closer. “You did that to yourself. You did it because if you were in your right mind, it would have been impossible to go through with something you honestly didn’t want to be a part of.”

“Who told you that?”

“You did.”

Jada was directly in front of Chelsea now. She knelt and hugged her cousin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry that we’re in this situation. I’m sorry that I can’t be more help financially, but I have a responsibility to Papi and now I make one to you. We are going to make it. Without selling our soul or our bodies.”

Chelsea sniffed, but Jada could tell that she’d gotten through to her.

“So, how’d you get me out anyway? Gus’s house is like a fortress.”

Her eyes skittered away. “I may have suggested some dirty things.”

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is I got you out.”

“With Adam’s help.”

“Mm-hm.”

“What did you think about him?” Chelsea nudged Jada with her elbow. “Were you super into each other?”

“Why would we be interested in each other? It was strictly business. Though he did score me a potential internship with Tina Lang!”

“No!” Chelsea’s eyes widened. “She’s like your hero! That’s great, J.”

“Thank you.”

“That Adam guy… he’s the kind you’d want to keep around, isn’t he? Although he isn’t much to look at.”

“What are you talking about? He may not be classically handsome, but something about him—I don’t know, it’s solid.”

“Oooh,” Chelsea cooed and wiggled her eyebrows. “See, at least something good came out of last night.”

“When he dropped us off, Adam understood that we wouldn’t meet again. I’m sorry to burst your bubble but… pop!”

The cousins laughed and though Jada had no idea how she’d fulfill all the responsibilities now on her shoulders, she felt a bit more hopeful that everything would work out.

Knock, knock!

“Were you expecting anyone?” Chelsea asked.

“I don’t think so.”

“Maybe it’s Adam,” Chelsea teased as Jada helped her to her feet.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jada said, though a part of her welcomed the idea of a visit from the man.

“Look, you’re secretly hoping it’s him, aren’t you?”

Jada shoved Chelsea away and opened the door, a wide grin on her face. When she noticed the visitors on the other side, the smile drooped.

“Who are you?”

The police officers, dressed in their khakis with the stripes down the sides, stared her down. The woman officer stepped forward first.

“Ms. Jada Penner?”

“That’s me,” Jada said. “What’s this about?”

“Ms. Penner, we need you to come down to the station for questioning.”

“What? Why?” Chelsea yelled.

“Mr. Gustin Grant has filed a complaint with the station regarding an assault made by Ms. Penner.”

Jada gasped. “An assault?”

“If she’s just going in for questioning, why did you bring so many people?” Chelsea asked, looking at the entourage of officers and at the older man in the grey suit. “This is just a formality isn’t it? You’re going to arrest my cousin because of Gus?”

“Ms. Penner…”

“It’s okay, Chels. I have to go. I don’t have a choice.”

The officer grabbed Jada’s arm and led her along as Chelsea stared helplessly from the doorway.

***

Adam’s phone rang for the third time. He groaned and rubbed his eyes, wishing the code before him would magically rearrange. Last night’s events played like a loop in his mind and he couldn’t get Jada out of his head.

Was she okay? Was her cousin okay? Would they make it without the cheque they’d so desperately needed?

The phone rang again and Adam slammed on the ANSWER button.

“Dad, I’m busy,” he snapped.

“Adam?” He heard an unfamiliar voice and paused, wondering who had gotten his personal cell phone number.

“Who is this?”

“It’s Chelsea, the girl that was with Jada last night. I got your number from Jada’s phone.”

“Right,” he said, glad that she’d called. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“And Jada?” he asked, leaning back.

“Actually, that’s what I called you about.” A pause. “Jada was arrested a few minutes ago.”

Adam nearly sprang out of his chair. “Arrested?”

“Well, ‘taken in for questioning’, but from the looks on everyone’s faces, she’s not going to make it.”

“What happened?”

“Gus is pressing charges for assault. I really don’t mean to bother you, sir, but we don’t have any bail money or any kind of money for a lawyer…”

“Of course, send me the number I’ll—”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not begging for money. Jada would rather be imprisoned than take anything from anybody. I just need a bit of your time. Since you were there last night, could you run down to the station and give your testimony? Jada’s alone right now and that makes her vulnerable. If she has someone as reputable as you in her corner, maybe it’ll help.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll head right down.”

“Alright, I’m catching the bus now. I’ll meet you there.”

Adam grabbed his shades and car keys, flying out of his room so fast he almost knocked into Brenda.

“Sir? What’s wrong?”

“I have somewhere to be, Brenda. Postpone the video conference. Tell them I’ll definitely get the file to them by the end of the evening.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh and Brenda, call Ethan and send him to the station on Raccoon Street. I need him there ASAP.”

Clearly curious, but knowing better than to ask too many questions, Brenda simply nodded and scurried to perform the duty.

Adam skidded to a stop in front of the elevator and tapped the button until it opened. His company was located on the third floor of one of Belize’s only multi-floored buildings. For once, he wished he was on the ground so he didn’t have to wait the extra seconds.

The doors finally opened and he stepped inside, anxiously rocking on his heels till he was free.

The thought of Jada behind bars deeply concerned him, and Adam found himself pushing past the speed limit on many occasions. When he pulled up in front of the station, he raced through the doors, breathing hard.

“Where… is Jada?” he asked the receptionist.

“Excuse me?”

“Jada Penner. She was brought in for questioning regarding an assault case.”

“Just one moment, please,” the receptionist said. She popped her gum and slowly typed the information on her computer. While Adam waited, he listened to the cacophony of clacking fingers against keyboards, the calls from one colleague to another and the swoosh of opening doors.

In the midst of the chaos, he recognized a familiar tremor.

“I’m telling you! That guy was asking for it.”

“Jada!”

He pushed against the counter and dived deeper into the station. In the background, he heard the receptionist calling for him, but he ignored her and walked right into the back partition where Jada sat before a desk facing two officers.

“He’s a jerk, and I don’t regret it for a second,” she was saying.

The officer sighed and noticed him standing there. “Who are you?”

“Uh, I’m…” Uncertain of what to say, Adam finished lamely. “I know Ms. Penner.”

“Adam?” Jada said, looking up at him in astonishment. “What are you doing here?”

“Don’t worry,” he nodded at her and then faced the lawmen. “Officer, what proof has Mr. Grant presented?”

The officer tipped his head to a large man in a grey suit. He offered his hand to Adam, who shook it once.

“I’m Gabriel Castillo, Mr. Grant’s attorney. Shortly after nine thirty last night, Ms. Jada Penner entered the residence of Mr. Grant. We have video footage of this. Shortly after, she attacked Mr. Grant in his bedroom.”

“Ridiculous!” Jada rolled her eyes. Adam was astounded to see the lack of concern in her countenance. He couldn’t decide if she was completely ignorant to the trouble she was in or if her anger was so poignant that she didn’t care.

“Mr. Castillo, let’s talk over here.” While the attorney moved off with him, Chelsea sailed into the room. Adam was satisfied that Jada had someone beside her while he took care of the suit.

“There is nothing you can offer that would persuade him to drop the charges. Mr. Grant was adamant about that.”

“Of course, I understand,” Adam said. “Gus has his pride to consider after all. It can’t be common knowledge that a girl totaled him the way Jada did.”

Mr. Castillo pulled at his collar. “I wouldn’t say ‘totaled’—”

“I’m sure it would also be a hit to Gus’s pride if news of his extra-curricular activities were to break out.”

“Excuse me?”

“Perhaps one girl’s testimony of sexual harassment would be buried easily enough, but something tells me that she’s not the first one to fall victim to him. I wonder what it would do to his reputation if we rallied all those girls and made a case?”

Visibly trembling now, the lawyer gripped his suitcase tighter. “You’re bluffing.”

“Convince Gus to drop the charges and you won’t have to find out.” He checked his watch. “I’d hurry though. My lawyer’s coming in about five minutes, and he’s a sucker for cases like this. I’m sure he won’t be as agreeable as I am.”

Gabrielle Castillo quickly excused himself from the room. Adam strolled toward the desks and Jada looked curiously at him.

“What was that about?” she asked.

Instead of answering, Adam turned to the officers. “If the charges are dropped, she’s free to go, right?”

“Well…sure.”

“Good.”

“Is he dropping the charges?” Chelsea asked, her tone full of awe. “Really?”

Adam simply smiled and waited for Castillo to return. Two minutes later, Gus’s lawyer walked in on the heels of his own counsel.

“Ethan,” Adam slapped his hands with his friend, “it’s good to see you.”

“What’s up, man?” Ethan said and smiled at the women by Adam’s side. “I heard there might be grounds for a counter claim.”

“No!” Mr. Castillo leapt forward and waved his arm. “Mr. Grant is dropping the charges. She’s free to go.”

“Was that so hard?” Adam asked, tapping the man on the back. “Officers, thank you so much for your time. You all have a nice day.” He gripped Jada’s hand and marched her out of the precinct.