Page 118 of Grown

“OK, Grandma,” I laugh.

I sing “Part of Your World,” which is always fun, singing a cappella, something I haven’t done in a while. My voice is raw, unhinged even. Something about being back here, performing in the place I found my voice feels... different.

Grandma sways as she listens, glancing over at the empty seat, nodding in agreement, then claps when I’m done.

“You know why I like that movie?”

“Because you like my singing and know I like to swim?”

“Ha! Well, that too. But no, I liked it ’cause the princess saved herself.”

“No, she didn’t. Eric saved her, the prince. And her dad, the king.”

“No, no,” she laughs, the light from the TV bouncing off her dark skin. “She saved herself from the sea long before that silly prince came flopping along. She took hold of her life, didn’t care what anyone else had to think or say. Even if they thought she was crazy, she did what she wanted, and folks just had to deal. Like when you cut off all your hair. You didn’t care—you just did it! Some brave guts you’ve always had. Get that from my side of the family.”

Grandma sips her hot cocoa, allowing the chocolate milk mustache to sit on her top lip. I glance around the room again, refocusing my lens to what this place used to be. A treasure trove of the most wondrous things.

“Grandma... I’m in trouble.”

She nods. “Yes, baby. You are.”

“And I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, what would Ariel do?”

“Maybe run away from home?” I chuckle. “Trade her voice for some legs?”

Grandma shrugs and flips a few channels, humming, landing on E! News. There’s Richie. Talking about the upcoming Korey documentary. No watch on his wrist. Jessica must have told him. I doubt she’d take it, knowing how it could implicate her. She’s smarter than Richie. She must have told him to get rid of it. But he wouldn’t throw it away, and he couldn’t be dumb enough to pawn it. So he must still have it... somewhere.

“Grandma, I have to go.”

“Where to?”

I smirk, zipping up my hoodie. “To save myself.”

Grandma smiles. “OK, baby. Have fun.”

Chapter 83

Family Over Everything

“Hey! Surprised you called,” Derrick says, opening up the peach french doors to his Upper West Side condo.

“Was in the neighborhood,” I lie. The hour-and-change commute from Queens into Manhattan gave me enough time to brainstorm all the lies I’m about to tell him.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Heard about the charges. I’m... sorry, Enchanted.”

He rubs my shoulders and I lean into his warm hands. It feels good to be held. Something I miss... with Korey.

Panic beats against my chest, and I step back, turning in a circle.

He’s not here, Enchanted. Korey is not here. You’re safe.

“Hey, you OK?” Derrick asks as I rub my temples, trying to regain control.

“Uh, yeah. So, is your dad stopping by any time soon?”

“Nah. And my mom is on some business trip. It’s just us two.”