All Chapters of Silent Nights, Sinful Thrusts: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

REINA“Ray! Ray, Gramma is not responding to me!”I spring up from bed, eyes snapping awake as I scramble off the mattress. My hands reach for the flashlight on my bedside table and I rush to Gramma’s room.She’s unresponsive, cold and a bit stiff. I burst into tears at once, unable to even try to act strong for Tee. We’re both a crying mess as we lift her and take her outside by the wee hours of the morning, manically flagging cabs.It’s almost an hour before we find a cab, we’ve stopped crying by now. Gramma’s gotten even colder. We’re cold as well, but I don’t care. I comb my fingers through Gramma’s silky gray hair. She seems to be slipping away, but even until now, I can’t seem to imagine a life without her.At the hospital, we’re pacing about when Tee asks, “I think we’re behind on a drug, I couldn’t find any medication in her room. Did you forget, Ray? I gave you my cut.”I’ve been unable to make mine.I shake my head no, looking everywhere but at him. “I didn’t. Pete refused t

REINA“You paid off every single penny of Gramma’s medical bills. That’s a lot of money, Ray. Where did you get all that money?” Tee’s voice is a whisper as he shuts our room’s door behind us.I stand in front of the cracked mirror above our dresser, brushing my hair. The room reeks of menthol and Gramma’s herbal medicine, a smell we’d gotten used to overtime.I’m getting ready for my first day at Alan’s house… as his son’s nanny. I’m nervous, and not because of Ethan. The curiosity in Tee’s voice barely even gets to me.“I promise I’m not doing anything wrong. It’s just work. I told my boss about Gramma and he said he’d clear the debt and send me the balance of my payment when I’m done working for him. The balance would be for rent.”“What?” His voice bounces off the walls. I shoot him a sharp look, gesturing to the door with my hand. Gramma’s right in the other room, trying to sleep!Tee sighs, moving away from the door.He’s tense still, his jaw locking even he whispers, “Ray… What