“I saw you at the window. Afterwards.” She leaned forward, now a little conciliatory. “I guessed you’d been there for a while. I guessed you�...d seen… everything?” Rather than just nod again, I managed, “I did.” “I’m so sorry. That wasn’t fair on you.” Valerie reached over and took my hand in hers. Her words sounded sincere. I tried to reassure her. “It’s okay. It’s no big deal.” “Are you sure? Do you want to talk about it? I don’t want you to feel bad about it.” Finally her somber tone broke a. ” Quanesha crawled in front of Kimberly, went to her knees and bent over and showed Kimberly her ass. “Look at my right cheek Kimberly, what do you see.”Kimberly was even more addled at this turn of events. Initially she didn’t know what she was looking at then she realized that it was a tattoo or even a brand!! But only animals were branded. But then Kimberly realized that White men had branded Black slaves!! Kimberly shaken said, “Is that a brand Quanesha?”“Yes it is. The only way that Black. I imagined me and her on a beach laughing and jumping in the ocean, kissing and holding each other not caring about who knew we were siblings. I was brought out of my daydream when Ashley’s arms hooked around my stomach as she hugged me from behind. “Good morning” I beamed as I turned around and took her in my arms.“Morning” she mumbled back. “You ok?” I questioned as I rubbed her back soothingly. “Yeah, I just……I really enjoyed yesterday” she looked up at me, those eyes sucking me in deeper.. The sharp intake of breath before she answered. "O-o-okay, I guess."The cops would be telling her to stay on the line, keep the caller talking."Remember me? Huh? I told you you'd hear from me again. We had such a good talk the other night." I gave her a moment, and then continued. "I've been watching you, baby. I seen you around. I told you that already. Right? I know where you go, what you do. You're lookin' good, you know that?"She couldn't control her terror anymore, and I could hear her.