Read Maya's Choice for Free Online

want any damn Chinese food. I want some Southern cooking. Make me some neck bones, lima beans and corn bread,” he yelled at her.
    Martin’s request for soul food presented two big problems. There was no food in the refrigerator and, second, my momwas a Mexican woman who didn’t grow up in the South on Southern soul food. He moved closer to her and appeared as if he wanted to beat her. I removed the fishing knife from my pocket and extended the blade to its full length. If Martin placed a hand on her I’d planned to stab him in the back and tell my mother that it was time to go.
    â€œViviana.” My mom got my attention. “Wait outside for a minute.”
    â€œWhat? Are you serious? He looks like he wants to choke you to death and you want me to leave?”
    â€œYou heard your mama, little girl, now get on out of here.” Martin turned and looked at me. With boldness and confidence I held up the knife. The one thing my daddy taught me was how to protect myself.
    â€œWhat are you going to do with that besides tick me off?” Martin’s voice was filled with threats.
    â€œIf you hit my mother or me you’ll find out,” I answered him.
    â€œViviana, go outside. It will be okay.” My mother once again tried to get me to leave. “Come on, it’s okay.” She approached me and walked me to the front door. “Just sit outside for a minute. It’s a nice day. Even better, go for a walk at the park. When you come back everything will be fine, and put that knife away.”
    â€œBut he’s…”
    â€œViviana, go!” My mother opened the door. I had no choice but to leave. I went outside and sat on the steps in front of the building. I was so irritated. I wanted to leave but I didn’t have a dime to my name. I would have called one of my girlfriends but my cell phone was out of minutes. Mymother was supposed to get money from Martin to pay for it, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon. Feeling miserable, I buried my face in my hands and closed my eyes. Not long after that, this girl appeared with a little boy who was just learning how to walk upstairs. I moved out of her way.
    â€œWhat’s up?” she greeted me. I shrugged my shoulders.
    â€œYou’re the new girl from apartment 407, right?” she asked.
    â€œYeah, how did you know that?” I asked.
    â€œI know everything that goes on in this building. My name is Toya. Toya Taylor.” She extended her hand.
    â€œI’m Viviana Vargas.” I reached over and shook her hand.
    â€œAre you okay? Because you look like you could use a friend,” Toya said.
    â€œI’ve seen better days,” I admitted. Her son placed his tiny hand on my knee. “Your son is handsome.”
    â€œHe’s more like a handful, if you ask me.” Toya chuckled.
    â€œWhat’s his name?”
    â€œJunior,” she answered.
    â€œWhy are you just sitting out here on these dirty steps?” Toya asked the obvious question. I shook my head and just started venting about everything. Before I could stop myself I realized that I’d shared way too much with someone I didn’t know at all.
    â€œYou know what? I’ve seen days like that,” she said sympathetically.
    â€œReally?” I asked, not fully believing her.
    â€œOf course I have and I know what it feels like.” I didn’tsay anything and Toya didn’t continue on her way. The silence between us became awkward.
    â€œListen, why don’t you come up to my apartment? You can sit around and watch videos on VH1 with me,” Toya offered.
    â€œYou don’t even know me and you’re willing to invite me into your house?” I glanced over at her to see if she’d lost her mind.
    â€œYou don’t look like the type who’d kill someone.” Toya smirked. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my knife. I wanted to prove to her that she