Who Asked You? Read Online Free PDF

up her kids.”
    “What kids? Hey, hole up now. You ain’t done here.”
    I hear what sounds like tussling and then Trinetta gets on the phone. “Hey, Ma, this Tri, and—”
    “Where are you and what in the world are you doing?”
    “I’m at . . . a friend’s house. I’m still . . . studying. So. Would you mind? Keeping. The kids. A few. More days?”
    Of course I’m worried about my daughter, but she’s grown. And knows exactly what she’s doing. I’m more relieved that my grandsons aren’t anywhere near her, so I say nice and slow like: “Pay extra-close attention, Trinetta. Do not even think about picking these kids up until you can show me a few pay stubs and a clean drug test. Now. Suck. On. That.”

Tammy
    W hen I hear a succession of quick knocks on the front door, I know it can’t be anybody but BJ, especially at this time of morning. I crack the door a few inches. “I’m standing in here dripping wet with just a towel wrapped around me, BJ, so you better not be here to tell me something neither of us can handle.”
    “It’s Trinetta . . .”
    I pick up my heart.“Please don’t tell me she OD’d.”
    “Do I sound petrified or pissed off?”
    “What’d she do this time? Wait. Don’t tell me. What is it you need me to do, BJ?”
    “She didn’t show up to get the boys and they’re on the sunporch waiting for me to take them to school and you must not’ve heard the phone when you were in the shower. Anyway, would you mind sitting with Lee David for about a half hour or so, until Nurse Kim gets there? But you and I both know she always runs a little late.”
    “Of course I don’t mind. I’m not due at the attorney’s office until eleven. Why didn’t you call in sick or take a vacation day and just keep them at home today?”
    “Because Lorinda’s relatives are visiting from Norfolk and she’s taking them to Disneyland and Magic Mountain, so I at least have to go in for a few hours. These kids have missed enough school as it is. I’ll be back in time to pick them up.”
    I peek over her shoulder and see the screen door opening and closing and then I see a cute little brown face poke out. That’s Ricky. He’s looking for his grandma. Bless his cute little heart!
    “Whose car is that in the driveway?” BJ asks.
    “Trevor’s.”
    “You mean you let that boy spend the night over here?”
    “She’s twenty-three, BJ. What difference does it make if it’s here or in his dirty bungalow?”
    “Just a minute,” she says, and turns around since Ricky is apparently now banging the door shut and open. “Luther! Make Ricky stop doing that. Please. I’ll be right there!” She turns back to face me. “A sleepover, huh? So is this a sign she’s serious about this one?”
    I roll my eyes. “And counting.”
    “Anyway, how long will it take you to put something on?”
    “Two minutes. So go! If you weren’t so doggone nosy I could’ve been over there by now.”
    “Thanks, Tammy.”
    “Pay me later.” I throw the towel over a chair and run down the hall to my bedroom to get my terry-cloth robe. Lord knows Lee David isn’t exactly Jack the Ripper, so if one of these droopy girls were to plop out, I doubt if he’d even notice.
    I know the lovebirds are upstairs sound asleep, but I grab my keys and lock the front door out of sheer habit. Something we didn’t have to do back in the good old days. The neighbors on my left are Korean, and they don’t like anybody who’s not Korean. They refuse to hire a gardener, which is why their yard looks more like a desert. I planted purple and white hydrangeas all along the fence just to give them a clue of what beauty can do. They have refused to take the hint. On the right are two black racists who have not spoken to me in the six years since they moved in. A dynamic duo: like father, like son. They let their avocados, olives, and lemons fall into our yard, hoping I’ll complain. But all we do is eat them. I am not intimidated by