MAY 172:“Besides,” she added, “Don Renzo took care of us. Both of us. Why are you avoiding me?”I didn’t answer.“Or…” she continued, her voice sharpening slightly, “are you avoiding him?”“You’ve graduated now,” she went on. “Come and say thank you.”My grip tightened on the phone.“Mom,” I said slowly. "Is Renzo forcing you to say this?”“What?” she spluttered.“Does he have a gun to your head right now?” I pressed. “Are you safe?”“May, what are you talking about?” she sounded completely thrown off.I exhaled. “I’ll wish you a happy birthday,” I said after a moment. “But I’m not coming.” The words sat there on my tongue. I was about to say it and hang up the phone when I remembered… shit. “You know what, mama?”“Yes?” she replied quickly.“I’ll come.”There was an audible sigh of relief on the other end. “Oh, thank God. What made you change your mind?”I smiled faintly. “I should thank Don Renzo,” I said. “For everything.”She laughed, pleased, as completely missing the edge ben
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