“Just like the slut that you are,” Brinson hissed.
Olivia’s neck warmed with anger. She considered going toe-to-toe with him and cussing him out. Instead, she pressed the button to end the call. He didn’t deserve any more of her energy.
Lifting her eyes to heaven, she prayed for the Lord to strike her with a lightning bolt if she ever fooled around with someone like Brinson again.
Reality set in. She scrolled through her contact list to make a call. She examined her nails waiting for the weekend answering service to pick up.
Olivia cleared her throat. “Yes. Hi. This is Olivia Maxwell. I need to make an appointment with Dr. Vajajay. How long do I need to wait to have a pregnancy test done and get an STD screening?” Olivia paused. “I have to wait that long?
Okay. I want the first one available. It’s urgent.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
Savvy
Savvy stood with her sorority sister in a parking lot of the library where they’d finished a committee meeting. The cool evening wind whipped around their red jackets as they prepared to head home. Following a busy week at work, she welcomed time to focus on public service.
“Patricia, I’m excited about what you and the Social Action committee presented about holding a seminar on human trafficking,” Savvy said. She held a box in her arms. “I gathered a bunch of pamphlets to hand out to everyone to get them to attend.”
Patricia’s face filled with a gentle smile. “Girl, you know the sense of urgency to raise awareness about this issue in our community. It’s scary considering how many people are affected right here in San Antonio.”
Savvy nodded her head in agreement. “The information from the Sheriff about Bexar County being a hotbed for human trafficking is a harsh reality. The statistics are scary and dangerous.”
“I know, right? Parents and kids need to be made aware about how serious this problem is. The more we provide the education, the better chance we have of protecting these children,” Patricia responded with passion. “I’m impressed with what the organization, Ransomed Life, provides to redeem and restore exploited youth.”
“They are doing amazing work. I’ll invite everyone I know to attend our event in January. We need to get this problem controlled. The work of Delta is never done.” Savvy reached out to Patricia for a hug. “Drive home safely and we’ll catch up later. Love you.”
“Right, Soror. We have a lot to do,” Patricia said. “I love you too.” Patricia hugged her back. “Where are you parked?”
“I’m around the corner on the street,” Savvy replied.
“Come on. Jump in with me and I’ll drive you.” Patricia opened the door to her car.
“Naw. Thanks. I’m good. My car is right there.” Savvy nodded toward her vehicle on the street. “It’s a trip how we have better lighting out here now with gentrification in this neighborhood.”
“I haven’t seen this many white people walking and riding bikes in this area, ever,” Patricia said. “I’ll sit here until I see you get in your car.”
“Alright, thanks.” Savvy headed past the cars of her sorority sisters who were still inside the building.
She balanced the box of brochures on her arm and fished in her purse for the keys. “Goodness, this box is heavier than I thought.” After popping the trunk open, she raised her hand to Patricia to signal she could leave. Patricia honked the horn and drove away.
As Savvy took steps toward the trunk, her phone vibrated in her crossbody purse. The keys almost slipped from her hand to the ground as she fumbled for the cell and attempted to hold on to the box.
She managed to glance at the phone screen. “Kolby. Not again.” Savvy mumbled and let out a long breath.
“Not me again, huh?” a voice said in the darkness.
“Aah,” Savvy screamed. Startled, she dropped the box and the brochures spilled out onto the pavement.
Kolby emerged in front of her with his phone in his hand. He wore a green Boston Celtics sweatshirt and matching baseball hat, which put a shadow on his face. His jeans sat low on his hips with plaid boxers showing. His eyes narrowed with a slight twist of his neck. “I guess you weren’t expecting me.”
The pit of Savvy’s stomach knotted up. “Kolby. What are you doing here? You scared me.” Thoughts about human trafficking surged through her mind. She wrapped her hand around the pepper spray attached to the keychain.
“Sweetie. I needed you. I’ve been calling and texting you all night. You didn’t answer and never called me back.” Kolby shifted from one foot to the other in a rocking motion. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“Well, you did. Why are you creeping up on me like this?” Savvy asked in as much of a controlled voice as she could muster. “I had the ringer off since I headed into the meeting. How did you know to find me here?”
Kolby smiled and his cheeks dimpled. “I peeped you leaving the gas station. You know, the one where we met. I figured since you weren’t answering my calls, I needed to find a way to get in front of you.” He kneeled on one knee and began gathering the brochures back into the dropped box. His jeans sagged almost to the bottom of his behind. Kolby reached back to unsuccessfully hitch them up. His eyes stayed on her as if in a trance.
Savvy inched her away around to the front of the car. Thoughts of running toward her sorority sisters, who were still congregating at a close distance, crossed her mind. “You followed me?”
Kolby stood, walked to the trunk, and placed the box inside before closing it. He took his time, wiping his hands on his jeans before answering. “Sweetie. You don’t understand how much I hate to be ignored.” He stared with hypnotizing intensity and slid toward her.
Savvy jumped back. “What do you want, Kolby?”
Kolby placed the heels of his feet together and placed his hands in front
