I held out my hands. “What? You told me to—”
“It’s not right.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Mom doesn’t like it either.”
Guilt filled me. “Tina, you said that I had to tie you up and no matter what you say I should never untie you.”
“Why would I say that?” She looked at the ceiling. Her bottom lip quivered. “These ropes hurt. Even. . .”
“What?”
“Even if I did tell you to do this, you didn’t have to hurt me so bad.” Tears fell from her eyes. “You’ve always been that way.”
I can’t do this anymore. I’m losing my mind.
“Tina, you’re delirious. Don’t say that.” I dropped to my knees and grabbed the knife under the bed. “But, I’ll let you go. I never thought this was a good idea.”
“You wanted this. Always. You push and push and push me to do this and that. I’m just me, Lay. I’m Tina.”
“I know you are. I love you—”
“You don’t love me. You hate me. All my life. . .” Her body trembled. “You’ve never been there for me.”
Bullshit. This is the detox talking.
I let out a long breath and cut the rope’s bindings. There was no use arguing my point with an addict, even a detoxing one. If I did, I would be just as big of a fool as her.
When the ropes lightened and fell away, she slowly rose. “Jesus is happy now.”
“I don’t know about that.”
She only had a long sweaty t-shirt on. She scratched her arms and then rubbed her eyes as if they were super itchy. Although I’d wiped her forehead, more sweat came.
“Take that shirt off, Tina. We need to wash it. You also must put on some pants.”
“I need to go to the bathroom.”
“A shower would be good too.” I rose from the floor. “Do you need help?”
“No.” She rolled off the bed and almost fell to the floor.
I caught her small frame before she crashed. “Let me help. It’s been a while since you walked or moved your—”
“Get off me!”
I backed away and raised my hands in the air. “Calm down.”
Stumbling and limping forward, she scratched her arms some more. “I can do it.”
I gazed at the bed. The bed pan was empty. Still a large wet stain drenched the mattress. It must’ve all been sweat.
As Tina relearned how to walk, I went to her dresser for a new set of clothes. “Head to the bathroom and take a shower.”
“Okay, Lay.” She limped forward.
“Don’t lock the door. I’ll put clothes and towels in there while you’re showering.”
“Okay.” She stumbled out of there and shut the door behind her.
Why the hell did you just close me in this stank ass room?
I searched for clean panties and a bra.
Why did I tie her up? She’s crazy and I’m right there with her. Who really is the person on drugs?
Figuring that she may need socks too, I went to the top drawer and grabbed a fresh pair. That was when I heard the front door slam.
What?
I paused for another sound. Nothing came.
No.
I dropped the clothes on the floor, spun around, and rushed to the door.
Please, God. No!
I hurried with opening the door and raced to wear I’d left my purse.
Fuck!!
It was gone. The sound of a car starting came next.
“Tina!” I raced off. My legs burned from the exertion. I had the front door open in seconds, right in time to see Tina speed off with my car.
“Tina!” Like a wild woman, I rushed off. “Damn it!”
My body shook from anger.
A red car parked in the back of the lot, started and sped off after the car.
A man’s voice sounded behind me. “We can stop her for you.”
“Ah!” I jumped and turned around. “Who the hell are you?”
A brown skinned man stood in front me, wearing a designer suit. His hair was parted in the middle. Haunting hazel eyes watched me.
Another man stood next to him and held a briefcase. Acne and scars decorated the right side of his face.
The one with the hazel eyes spoke. “I’m sorry to startle you, Layla. My name is Ali. I work for Reo.”
“O-kay.”
“I happened to be here to bring you your contract and I noticed that you have a small problem.” Ali gestured to where my sister sped off. “Would you like us to intervene? That was my people in the red car that rushed after her.”
I just want this day to stop being crazy.
I gathered myself. “Y-yes. But how would you do that?”
“We have our ways.” Ali pulled out his phone. “We can have your car back to you soon.”
“She has my purse too.”
“That will also be recovered.” He typed into his phone. “Would you like her brought back too?”
“No.” Sadness washed over me. “I. . .I can’t do this anymore.”
Ali nodded and typed some more.
“I mean. . .”
Ali stopped typing and looked at me.