Page 68 of Unexpected Prejudice

A lump formed in my throat as images of the three of us came back to me. I couldn’t deny there was a time when we were a happy family. As short as it was, it was time engraved with me forever. Her laugh mixed with my father’s voice. The way my dad always looked at her with adoration until she took that away from him. From us. She stole our happiness in exchange for a better life. Moving to the States wasn’t easy for any of us, but instead of sticking with her family, she left.

She looked around the small shop. “Are you happy here with them?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“What about him? The boy you dated. Are you two still together?”

“Jessie?” I couldn’t help how my whole body relaxed at mentioning his name. My sunshine. My oxygen. My universe. “Of course we are.”

“That’s sweet.” She gave me a soft smile, one that reached her eyes.

Biting my lips, I clenched my fists hard enough for my nails to dig into my skin. “You need to go. Now.”

“Not before we talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about.” I had to get her out of there. I couldn’t talk to her. Not yet. So I grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the door.

“I want you to move in with me.” Her words made me pause, and I let go of her arm.

“What?”

“That’s why I called. I want to make amends for the past.”

“I don’t want to live with you, and I’m eighteen, so you can’t force me to.”

She chuckled softly and shook her head before touching my cheek again. A touch I didn’t even know I lacked. “Oh, Lapochka, I won’t force you to do anything. I just wanted a second chance with my son.” She dropped her hand and took a step back. “The same way you got one. Right?”

I knew what she was referring to. The second chance I was given by Chief, a stranger who, against common sense, took me in and gave me a new chance at life. But I wouldn’t have needed that if it weren’t for her leaving, not like she cared.

“Mom,” I started saying just as the door to the shop opened, and in walked Jordan.

Thank God it wasn’t Jessie.

One look between me and my mom was enough for Jordan to understand that he’d walked right in the middle of something serious. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said apologetically.

I reverted to English. “You didn’t. She was just about to leave.”

My mom glanced at Jordan before her blue eyes returned to me. “We will continue this conversation another time, okay, Lapochka?”

Despite not wanting to agree, I nodded. I knew that arguing with my mom would only lead her to stay longer, which was out of the question. Pleased with my response, she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before turning around and walking toward the door, passing Jordan on her way out of the shop.

I hadn’t realized how hard it was for me to breathe until she was out of the room, and Jordy wasted no time before he checked on me.

“Hey, are you okay?” He rubbed my shoulder, the concern audible in his voice. His touch, as comforting as it was supposed to be, felt like a burden, and I moved away.

“Was that your mom?” For a moment, I thought about lying, but then he continued. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard parts of the conversation, and you said, Mom…”

“Yeah, she’s my mom.”

He rubbed the back of his head. “I didn’t know you were in touch; I mean, I assumed all of you guys were orphans or something.”

“If only,” I muttered and then looked at him. “We’re not in touch, okay? And I’d really appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention this to Jessie.”

“He doesn’t know she came here?”

“No, and I want to keep it that way.”

“Why?”