Read Nobody's Son for Free Online Page B

husband. “Reggie, help me up, honey.”
    Reggie reached down and assisted Jenise to her feet with exaggerated affection and helped her to the bed. “My wife is fine now. You guys can leave.”
    The paramedic stood to his feet and looked down at Jenise lying on the bed. He walked past a glaring Reggie and sat next to her. “Miss, you may have a head injury. I suggest you allow us to take you to the ER so that you can receive treatment.”
    â€œShe’s not going anywhere with you,” Reggie declared.
    Ignoring him, the paramedic continued speaking to Jenise. “It’s your choice, Miss. If you want to go we’ll take you, but we can’t make you go.”
    â€œWhat kind of head injury?” she asked.
    â€œI’m not a doctor, Miss. Based on your symptoms, I think it would be best to have a doctor take a look at you.”
    Jenise nodded her head, and the paramedic held out his arm for her to take.
    â€œJenise, are you crazy? This guy just accused me of punching you. Don’t you dare leave this house with him.”
    Reggie was standing on the sidewalk outside their apartment still screaming her name as the ambulance pulled away from the curb.
    â€œShoot! Now what am I gonna do?” he asked no one in particular.
    â€œYou should’ve gone with her,” a voice from behind him said.
    Reggie turned around and saw Rip standing a few feet away from him on the sidewalk. “Big Rip, I didn’t know you were out here. Oh, well, I guess I can’t call you Big Rip anymore since you dropped over a hundred pounds. What’s up, man?”
    â€œNothing’s up with me. Why didn’t you go to the hospital with your wife?” Rip asked.
    â€œMan, she didn’t need to go to the hospital. She got dizzy and fell, that’s all. Now we gonna have hospital bills that we can’t pay. It’s just a waste of time, that’s all.”
    Rip looked at him strangely. “People don’t just get dizzy and fall for no reason. It could be serious. You want me to give you a ride over to Piedmont Hospital?”
    â€œNaw, man, thanks, anyway. Jenise’s car is here. I’m gonna head on over there myself. I’m just going to change clothes right quick.”
    A short time later Rip watched Reggie pulled out of the complex in Jenise’s car, but instead of heading in the direction of the hospital, he turned and went the opposite way heading out of the city.
    He drove for about a half hour before arriving at his mother’s house. He was concerned about Jenise, but he was more concerned that the paramedics intended to call the police and report her bruises. It had happened before, and he’d managed to avoid the questions and accusations by leaving the area for a few days. As he hugged his mother hello, he decided that he would call Jenise in a few days to make sure it was okay for him to return home again.
    Rip was on his way back to his apartment when his cell phone began ringing loudly in his pocket. He unlocked his door and walked inside and sat down on the couch before answering.
    â€œThis is Rip,” he said.
    â€œHey, Rip, this is Ellen. Have you seen Semaj? I’ve been trying to reach him since yesterday with no luck.”
    â€œNope. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of days myself.”
    â€œI’m worried sick. He missed an appointment yesterday, and I’ve left several messages for him, but he hasn’t called back. He didn’t anchor the news tonight. I called the station, and they said that he called in sick. I went by his apartment, but he’s not there.”
    Rip scratched his head and thought for a moment. “You’re right, that is not like Semaj at all. Listen, if you want me to, I’ll see if I can find him.”
    â€œCould you please, Rip? I was angry at him because I thought I saw him with another woman, but now I’m just worried that something terrible has happened