Presley Towers, Wesbury
Trina’s words keep replaying in my head, and I’m reeling. ‘Leonard?’ I can’t help but ask her again on the phone, my reaction a mix of disbelief and rising anger.
‘You heard me,’ Trina shoots back.
I press the phone closer to my ear, pacing between the bedroom and balcony, needing answers. ‘Why is Leonard with her in Knoxville?’ It doesn’t make sense.
‘Ask again,’ Trina says, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
I can’t hide my frustration. ‘I can’t stand Leonard. I wasn’t expecting Duke to go, but sending Leonard? That’s just wrong,’ I let out, feeling the irritation bubble up.
‘Mariah said he was rude to her, too. She couldn’t stand him. He wouldn’t even let Simone talk to Duke,’ Trina adds, and my anger flares.
‘How do we get rid of him?’ I wonder out loud, desperate for a solution.
‘Talk to Duke, or let Simone speak up. Leonard’s been rude to her since day one. It’s not right,’ Trina’s frustration is clear.
‘I don’t understand it either,’ I agree, feeling lost in the maze of Leonard’s behavior.
‘He’s always making things so legal, like we’re after something,’ Trina says, her voice filled with disdain.
‘It’s so frustrating,’ I say, sharing her annoyance.
Trina’s voice takes on a note of worry. ‘What if Leonard’s in the delivery room?’
I can’t even process that thought. ‘No way,’ I reply firmly.
‘I wouldn’t put it past him, Anne. We need to do something, and fast,’ Trina presses, urgency clear in her voice.
As we talk, my frustration mounts. Leonard’s meddling is a dark cloud over us. We have to do something to protect Simone, to shield ourselves from his unwelcome interference.
