*****
Less than 15 minutes later, Angel pulled up to an apartment building on the far west side of Ames. They had passed nicer, newer complexes a few blocks back, but this building was smaller, a four-plex in bad condition. The paint was peeled in places and a ripped screen dangled down from a second story frame like a black flag.
“This one?” Katelyn asked.
“Yeah, the one on the lower left.”
“Thanks,” and Katelyn started to reach for the door.
Angel grabbed her other arm. “I’m not leaving, okay. I’m gonna stay out here until you either call or say what you’re gonna say and get out of there.” She grew quieter. “I can’t go in there, Katelyn. I’m in the right now. I’m getting my diploma in two months. I can’t be around them no more, ya know? I’m my only hope. They’re going nowhere, and I ain’t going with them. Ya know?”
Katelyn had never seen Angel ever look this way before. It took a minute for her to realize that Angel wasn’t just sad. The look she saw in Angel’s face was fear. Katelyn gripped Angel’s hand, which still rested on her arm, and squeezed. “I know.” She let a moment pass and opened the door. “I won’t be long, and, Angel?” she paused and looked back at her friend. “Thanks.”
Pick-me-up Page 44
