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assisted with serving coffees and teas. After Aiden was born, I had hired a part-time evening manager to run the store and allow me more time with my family. Terrence Miller, a business major, was a godsend. He usually relieved me by seven.
    The phone rang and I rose from my knees and walked up to the desk just as Karen was saying good-bye to a customer with two little children. I grabbed the phone before whoever was on the other line hung up.
    â€œBook Ends, how may I help you?”
    â€œNikki Truth, please.”
    My brow bunched because I knew that voice. “This is Nikki.”
    â€œHey, Nikki . . . this is Ann. I hate to bother you, but we’re about to close and Aiden still hasn’t been picked up.”
    â€œWhat?” I glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was almost six. Where the hell was Donovan? “Ann, I’m so sorry. Let me see if I can reach my husband. Otherwise, I’m on my way to get him.”
    â€œOkay, ummm . . .” She paused and I didn’t miss the hesitation. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. I know this isn’t any of my business, but yesterday when your husband came by to pick up Aiden, I smelled liquor on his breath.”
    I didn’t even respond because in all honesty I didn’t know what to say. I knew Donovan had been drinking more than normal, but I hadn’t realized he was starting so early.
    â€œReally?” I said, then gasped for dramatic effect. “Thanks for telling me. I’m on my way.” I hung up because I just didn’t want to hear anything else about my husband or his behavior. I was confident it was nothing he and I couldn’t work out ourselves.
    â€œKaren, I need to go and pick up Aiden from daycare. As soon as Dominique comes in to relieve you, could you please set up the mic before you go?” Dominique was my part-time cashier.
    She looked at me and nodded. Hell, it wasn’t like it was the first time she’d had to cover the store while I jetted off. “Sure, no problem. Is something wrong?”
    We had been working together long enough that I guess she could tell when something wasn’t right with me. But I just couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone yet what was going on in my house. Big Mama had always said keep your problems between you and your husband. It was times like this I missed her so much. She had been the only person I had ever been able to talk to. Sure, I had a mother, but she and I had never been close like me and my grandmother, who had passed away over three years ago.
    I shook my head. “No, everything’s fine. I guess Donovan forgot he’s supposed to pick up Aiden.” I couldn’t even look at her as I spoke, because it was all a lie. Lying was something I had been doing a lot of lately. I moved back to my office, grabbed my purse, and as I headed to my car I called Donovan on his cell phone and got no answer.
    An hour later, I carried a sleepy Aiden into the house and up to his room. He was such a good little boy and beautiful, too, with dark mahogany skin like me and dimples that could melt a lady’s heart. I slipped him under the covers and kissed his cheek, then went in search of my husband. I found him in our bed, asleep.
    â€œDonovan!” I called out to him. When I got no answer, I leaned over the bed and tapped him on the shoulder. The second I made contact, his eyelids flew open and he jumped up, screamed, and rolled out of the bed onto the floor. He scared me so bad, I jerked back and bumped my head on the wall. “Dammit!”
    He was in such a panic it took Donovan a few seconds before he remembered where he was. “Why the hell you sneak up on me?” he shouted.
    I was rubbing the back of my head. Damn, that hurt. “I didn’t sneak up on you. I called your name.”
    He kicked away the sheet that was tangled around his legs. “Then you should have called louder.” Donovan then rose and