Chapter 5
Mr. Raymond's phone call changed everything.
At least, that's what I thought.
Dad contacted him that evening.
They talked for almost forty minutes.
I couldn't hear everything.
But I noticed Dad smiling for the first time in days.
When he ended the call, Mom looked up from the kitchen table.
"Well?"
Dad took a breath.
"Raymond knows a contractor who needs a maintenance supervisor."
Mom's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
Dad nodded.
"The company manages several commercial properties around Atlanta."
Grandma smiled.
"That sounds promising."
Dad rubbed his chin.
"It's not guaranteed."
Mom reached for his hand.
"But it's a lead."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
I smiled.
Then Dad looked at me.
"Malik, Raymond said you were the most dependable helper he's had in years."
My face warmed.
"Really?"
Dad laughed.
"Really."
I looked down.
"He was nice to me."
Dad's smile softened.
"I'm glad."
Then he added, "We're still going to make sure any work you do in the future is safe and properly approved."
I nodded.
"I know."
Mom squeezed my shoulder.
"School comes first."
I grinned.
"Yes, ma'am."
The following morning, Dad prepared for an interview.
He wore a clean navy shirt.
Pressed black pants.
And the new sneakers.
I stared at his feet.
"Dad!"
He looked down.
"What?"
"You're wearing them!"
He smiled.
"Of course."
I laughed.
"To a job interview?"
He nodded.
"They're comfortable."
Mom raised an eyebrow.
"Marcus, you might want dress shoes."
Dad grinned.
"These are my lucky shoes."
I burst out laughing.
He eventually changed into dress shoes for the interview, but he wore the sneakers on the drive there and back.
When he returned that afternoon, he looked tired.
I hurried toward him.
"How'd it go?"
He smiled.
"I think it went well."
My heart jumped.
"Did they hire you?"
He shook his head.
"Not yet."
I tried not to look disappointed.
Dad crouched beside me.
"Malik, good things sometimes take time."
I nodded.
"Okay."
He hugged me.
"And whatever happens, we'll handle it."
A few days later, Mom received a call from Tasha.
She had attended an interview with a local office supply company after Mr. Raymond referred her.
The manager liked her experience.
She'd been offered a full-time position.
Mom started crying.
I heard her from the hallway.
"That's wonderful, Tasha!"
I ran into the kitchen.
"What happened?"
Mom covered the phone.
"Ava's mom got a job!"
I jumped.
"YES!"
Mom laughed.
Tasha heard me through the speaker.
"Is that Malik?"
Mom smiled.
"Yes."
Tasha began crying.
"Tell him thank you."
My face warmed.
Mom handed me the phone.
"Hello?"
"Malik?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
Her voice shook.
"I want you to know how much your kindness meant to my family."
I swallowed.
"You're welcome."
She continued.
"Ava told me about the sandwiches."
I looked down.
"And the groceries."
I felt embarrassed.
Tasha paused.
Then whispered, "You helped my children feel less alone."
Tears burned my eyes.
"I'm glad."
She took a shaky breath.
"But sweetheart, you don't have to carry grown-up problems."
I smiled faintly.
"My dad said that too."
Tasha laughed through her tears.
"He's right."
After the call, Mom hugged me.
I felt happy.
Not because Tasha had thanked me.
But because Ava might finally stop worrying about food.
And Elijah might sleep somewhere safe.
Things seemed to be improving.
Then Dad got the phone call we'd been waiting for.
The contractor offered him the maintenance supervisor position.
It paid slightly less than his warehouse job.
But the schedule was more stable.
There were benefits.
And the company had room for advancement.
Dad accepted.
That night, we celebrated with homemade pizza.
Grandma brought peach cobbler.
Mom decorated the table with blue napkins.
And Dad wore his new sneakers.
I couldn't stop looking at them.
He noticed.
"What?"
I grinned.
"Nothing."
He smiled.
"You're proud of yourself."
I shrugged.
"Maybe."
Dad laughed.
"You should be."
We ate together.
For the first time in weeks, nobody looked worried.
Then Mom's phone rang.
It was Tasha.
Her voice sounded upset.
Mom's smile disappeared.
"What happened?"
I sat up.
Mom listened.
Then asked, "When?"
My stomach tightened.
Dad looked at her.
She held up a hand.
After another minute, she ended the call.
I stared at her.
"Mom?"
She looked toward Dad.
"Tasha's housing assistance application was delayed."
Dad frowned.
"Why?"
"There's a problem with the documents."
I felt my chest tighten.
"What documents?"
Mom sighed.
"The apartment complex says there's an unpaid balance from a previous lease."
I stared at her.
"But Ava's mom said she paid everything she could."
Mom nodded.
"She believes the amount is wrong."
Dad leaned back.
"We'll help her find the right place to dispute it."
I swallowed.
"Does that mean they can't get an apartment?"
Mom looked at me gently.
"Not necessarily."
But her expression worried me.
The next morning, Ava didn't come to school.
I stared at her empty desk.
During lunch, I texted her.
No answer.
After class, I called.
Still nothing.
My stomach tightened.
I told Mom when she picked me up.
She immediately contacted Tasha.
No answer.
Dad tried too.
Nothing.
By evening, I was frightened.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from Ava.
Malik, I'm sorry.
I stared at it.
Then another message appeared.
Mom says we have to go stay with someone far away.
My heart stopped.
I called immediately.
She answered.
"Ava?"
Her voice sounded shaky.
"Hi."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know."
I felt tears rising.
"Why?"
She hesitated.
"Mom says somebody offered to help us."
I swallowed.
"Who?"
Ava lowered her voice.
"A man named Mr. Coleman."
I frowned.
I'd never heard that name.
"Is he family?"
"No."
My stomach twisted.
"Then who is he?"
She went quiet.
Then whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"He says he can take us somewhere nobody will find us."
I froze.
"Ava, listen to me."
My voice shook.
"Put your mom on the phone."
But before she could answer, the call ended.
I stared at the screen.
Then ran toward the living room.
"DAD!"
He jumped up.
"Malik?"
I held out my phone.
May you like
"Ava's in trouble."
And suddenly, our family's happy celebration felt very far away.
