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having it
now!” Morena stated sliding her cup of coffee across the table in
front of her and standing to her feet.
    Teresa stood to her feet. She hadn’t paid much
attention before to how tall Morena actually was. It became
apparent staring up at the woman sensing the onset of a physical
altercation. But that didn’t deter her. She wasn’t going to be
disrespected in her own home. Teresa chuckled. “That’s what I get
right? I tried to be civil, be the bigger woman…screw you and your
man. Coming to me with this screwed up non-sense… I am not a
marriage counselor. If Black has unresolved issues and you can’t
keep your man in line don’t come to me crying, bitch!”
    “Keep my man in line?”
    “That’s what I said. Keep your man in line. Now I’m
saying it’s time for you to go.”
    Morena stood her ground with her hands on both hips.
Teresa stepped towards the woman aggressively. Morena began backing
up then turned and headed for the door. She opened the door, ducked
out and slammed it closed. Teresa stood staring at the door
dumbfounded. Now feeling drained her doubts about confronting her
attackers and returning to work came creeping back. Back in her
kitchen Teresa noticed that in Morena’s rush to get out of there
she’d left her purse on the kitchen table. Just as she picked the
purse up to put it away there was banging on her door. Figuring it
had to be Morena returning for her purse she carried it with her to
the door. She snatched the door open with attitude and was
immediately frozen in her spot as she stared at Officer Hunter.
    Her mouth fell open and a dryness set in. She was
paralyzed with fear. Her legs wouldn’t move. She just stared.
Standing eye to eye he was a smaller man in height, almost 5’6.
Perhaps it was a coping mechanism but she found herself counting
the freckles in his red face. He grimaced at her as he placed his
hand on the wall and his foot in the door way blocking it from
closing. Her freckle count was somewhere between 25 and 30 when she
re-focused her attention to what he was saying. She was unaware of
how much she’d missed of what he’d already said. All she heard was
if she returned to work she would be sorry.
    Looking to the left of her she spotted Morena
standing there listening. Teresa felt herself becoming hot. Sweat
trickled across her forehead. She stepped around Hunter walking
towards Morena and extending her arm to hand her the purse. She
tried her best to hold it together but she felt as if she would
break down at any moment. A sense of embarrassment made it hard for
her to look Morena in the eye. She stared down at her feet.
    “Here you are girl,” she said nervously. “I was just
headed out to bring this to you.”
    Morena accepted her purse and lowered her head
attempting to look Teresa in the eyes.
    “Everything alright, girl?”
    Teresa smiled nervously. She was unsure of how much
Morena had overheard. She did not want her to tell Black. “Sure.
I’m fine. Talk to you later, girl.”
    Morena looked up at Hunter. She didn’t know what it
was but something didn’t seem right. “You know what, girl? I got
some time. I think I’ll sit and talk a while.”
    Teresa took her by the arm and began walking her
down the hall towards the exit. “Sounds good girl, but right now is
not a good time.”
    Morena pulled from her grasp and turned back towards
Teresa’s apartment. “Of course it is. I have all day. Maybe I can
give Black a call to come pick me up.”
    Teresa felt her heart skip a beat. Rushing behind
Morena she placed her hand on the small of her back. “That’s not
necessary, girl. You’re right though…we can finish having girl
talk.” Teresa faked a smile.
    Hunter approached the two women. “Everything alright
here, Teresa?”
    “Don’t she look alright, Officer…what’s your name?”
Morena squinted at his badge.
    Hunter curled his lips angrily. “Hunter. Officer
Hunter. And you are?”
    “I am none of your damn business.