Page 94 of Plus One

“What did you do?” Justin asked.

“Back then, they called it voluntary manslaughter.”

“So, you killed someone by accident. That’s what manslaughter means, right?” Jasmine asked quietly.

Maurice nodded.

She leaned forward in her chair. “But why voluntary?”

Maurice let out a long sigh. “The voluntary part is because it was violent, and I never apologized. He was beating my mom. Had been for years, and he beat me too. I walked in on a fight and tried to stop him.” Maurice paused. “I didn’t mean to kill him. But I’m not sorry he’s dead.”

Silence.

“Damn,” Justin said quietly.

“My mom went through something like that,” Jasmine said, and Maurice froze. “Our dad. He wasn’t physically abusive but… he wasn’t good to her either.”

Maurice nodded. “She told me. A little.”

“And you know about the cancer?” Jasmine asked.

“Yeah.”

“And you’re still here.” Jasmine had a smile in her voice.

“Yeah.”

“Why?” Justin leaned forward. “I’m not trying to be rude. But you met her five days ago at a wedding in Puerto Rico. Now you’re in Chicago. In our kitchen. Fixing our furnace. Why?”

Maurice took a breath. “This might sound insane, but I’m here because I love your mother. And when she needed to be here for Chickie, I couldn’t just stay in Newark. I had to show up.”

“Even though she doesn’t know you’re here?” Jasmine asked.

“Especially because she doesn’t know. She didn’t ask me to come. She probably doesn’t want me here.” Maurice looked between them. “Your mom’s whole life has been taking care of other people. I want to be someone who takes care of her. Even if she doesn’t think she needs it.”

The doorbell rang. Pizza. Justin got up to answer it. Came back with two large boxes. They ate in silence for a moment.

“What are your intentions?” Jasmine asked finally.

Maurice almost laughed. “Your mother asked me the same thing. On a beach in Puerto Rico.”

“And what did you tell her?”

“That I intended to keep showing up. To be patient. To love her however she’ll let me.”

“And if she doesn’t let you?”

“Then I’ll still love her. Just from a distance.” Maurice took another slice. “But I’m hoping she’ll let me stay close.”

“She’s been hurt a lot,” Justin said. “By our dad. By cancer. By people leaving.”

“I know.”

Justin sat up tall, squaring his shoulders. “So if you’re gonna hurt her—”

“I won’t. At least not on purpose. But I’m human. I’ll mess up. I’ll say the wrong thing. I’ll disappoint her sometimes. I already have…” Maurice met Justin’s eyes. “But I won’t leave. That’s the one thing I can promise. I won’t leave.”

Jasmine’s phone buzzed. “Mom’s heading back. Getting a ride home with El. She’ll be home in fifteen.”