“Jamal came home last night.” I pause before telling her what I know about Jamal and Angela, and how I heard him last night. Everything…but the blood I saw. That could be the stake that nails the coffin.

Mama sweeps her trembling hand across her forehand. Her voice catches, and she’s unable to speak.

“He’s safe, Mama.” I stare up at her with hopeful eyes.

“Do we tell someone?”

We both know the answer. Not yet. At least not until we know more.

“Jamal needs a lawyer,” Mama says. “We can’t wait until they find him.” Mama smooths her clothes as Dean approaches us. Like she’s trying to get the wrinkles out to convince herself things are fine.

“I’ve got some things I need to take care of. You gonna be okay with Dean? Let him take you back, so if Jamal comes home, we got someone who can watch out for him.”

“I’ll keep her out of trouble,” Dean says.

“I’m counting on it. I don’t need more on my plate than I already have.”

I nod. Give her a kiss.

When Mama drives away, the tears build, and I can’t stop them. I let them run down my cheeks, biting my bottom lip to keep any sound from escaping. The only thing I can think about is wanting to see Daddy. Like he might have some answer, something he’s learned over time that’ll fix everything. Stop this cycle from repeating itself.

“Why would Angela be with Jamal by the Pike?” Dean asks.

I blink. Stuck on this question and so many others. Angela was alive less than twenty-four hours ago, and now she’s gone. Jamal would never hurt anyone. Couldn’t hurt anyone. I force myself to ignore the blood I saw on Jamal last night, the thing I can’t explain away.

“You don’t—”

“Absolutely not,” Dean says. “It’ll clear itself.”

“Like my daddy?” My eyes get blurry.

“It’s not the same,” Dean says.

His voice is firm. I agree, even though on the inside I feel different. I can’t trust that things will get better.

“Chris looked like he got into a fight, but he walked out, so they weren’t arresting him. Not like the sheriff would do that to his own son.”

My phone vibrates, and I pull it out.

Jamal.

How is Ma?

This looks bad. Jamal, what happened to Angela?

I didn’t do it.

What should we do?

DON’T tell Mama you heard from me.

Meet me?

I can’t. Gotta keep moving.

Do you have enough to get by?

A few days. Don’t worry about me.

What can I do?

Take care of Mama. Corinne.

Who killed Angela?

I wait for a second longer, but he doesn’t text again.