Chapter 18

Trey

Mom is sitting on the porch smoking a joint. She has a warm complexion with green eyes, and her brown hair is pulled back into a bun. Her face is weathered with scars from her battles with William, but she's still beautiful and radiant as a rose. When she sees me, she rushes over to greet me. "There's my son!" she exclaims, her voice a bit hoarse from being a smoker. "How long has it been? Four years now?"

"Hey Mama, I've missed you so much!" I give her a big hug, feeling her small and delicate frame in my arms. She looks thinner than I remember, but I decide not to mention it.

I hand her the pack of cigarettes that are in my pocket with a scowl. "Mama, why are you outside smoking weed? You know it's illegal here," I lecture her.

She shrugs. "Just tryin' to stop drinkin' and smokin' so much."

"But you just had me buy a pack of cigarettes."

She waves her hand dismissively and starts walking into the house. "That's for later, I promise I'll