Page 563 of K.I.N.: Karma Is Near

Sam still had walls with me.

I didn’t blame her.

Finding out the man you had fallen for originally came after you as part of some fucked-up revenge plot wasn’t exactly something flowers and good dick fixed.

Even if I had provided both.

Repeatedly.

“You smiling,” Henry said.

“I’m about to put your ass out.”

“This my house too.”

“No the fuck it isn’t.”

He laughed.

My phone buzzed again.

This time it was Ma.

I picked it up.

Made it through another meeting. Going home. Love you.

I stared at the message for a second.

Ma had been trying to get clean since Xay died.

Really trying.

Not that I’m done after this one shit.

Meetings.

Counseling.

Calling me when she felt herself slipping.

Some days were better than others.

She’d fucked up twice since the funeral.

But instead of disappearing into another run, she’d gotten her ass back up and started again.

I typed back.

Proud of you. Call me when you get home. Love you too.

Xay dying had done something to her.

Something prison couldn’t.

Something me begging couldn’t.

Something damn near losing both her sons couldn’t.