One Way or Another by Rhonda Bowen Page B

had been the one who had taken her mother’s car out of the garage, crashed it, and then reported it stolen. And Toni wasn’t sure how many people knew it, but Camille had had an abortion before she was eighteen.
    But here she was. Living the holy life. All chummed up with God like she was Mother Teresa. Well, better her than Toni.
    Toni stifled a yawn and glanced at her watch. She was missing Law and Order .
    â€œOkay, guys, so you know we’re all glad you were able to come for small group tonight,” Jasmine said from the front of the room a few minutes later. “As usual we have snacks in the kitchen and you’re free to hang out for a bit. Our home is your home.
    â€œAnd speaking of homes,” Jasmine said, her face seeming to light up as she spoke, “we have a special announcement to make.”
    Toni rolled her eyes as she watched Jasmine beam at everyone excitedly. She couldn’t imagine what her sister-in-law had to announce. But drama was her middle name, so it could be anything. Toni’s stomach grumbled and she wished they would get on with it already.
    â€œSo you know that our family is expanding,” Jasmine began. “And this little old place won’t be enough for three of us. We’ve been praying, and God brought us to a place. Somewhere that’s very dear to us, and somewhere we hope that we can soon call home.”
    Toni watched Trey grab Jasmine’s hand and whisper something to her. She seemed to brush him off slightly and continue. His brows furrowed. The look on his face told Toni that he had not been let in on whatever it was Jasmine was about to announce.
    This would be entertaining.
    â€œTrey wants us to wait till everything is confirmed, but there’s no harm in letting you guys know, especially since some of you know how long we have been looking,” Jasmine said. She clapped her tiny hands together and bounced on her toes as she paused dramatically. “We’re moving back home! We’re buying Trey’s parents’ old house. Isn’t that amazing?”
    Cheers went up from the room as if Jasmine had announced she had just found a cure for cancer. Toni couldn’t believe her ears. In fact she would have sworn there was some confusion, except Trey’s eyes, which she now realized had been watching her through the whole announcement, confirmed every detail.
    Toni grabbed her purse and stumbled toward the front door, her whole body shaking. She was down the steps and halfway across the yard before her brother’s voice even registered.
    â€œToni!”
    She kept walking, and fast, her blood pressure increasing with each step she took.
    â€œToni!”
    â€œWhat?” she screamed, whirling around.
    He stood at the top of the steps, looking frustrated. “It’s just a house, Toni,” he said weakly. “It’s been ten years.”
    It was just a house?
    Toni squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to scream. She could not believe the words coming out of her brother’s mouth.
    â€œWhat’s your problem, Toni?” Jasmine asked moments later as she marched out onto the steps, her eyes flashing in annoyance. “You come to my home, you’re rude to everybody, and then you just walk out after we share with you something that’s really important to us? What’s wrong with you?”
    â€œMe?” Toni stepped forward, her eyes widening. “What’s wrong with me? Are you freaking kidding me, Jasmine?”
    â€œToni, come on,” Trey began, holding out his hands helplessly. “Can we just ... can you—”
    â€œCan I what, Trey?” Toni said, challenging him to finish his sentence. “Can I calm down? Is that what you want to say?”
    â€œYes, Toni, can you calm down?” Jasmine said, hands on her hips. “We have neighbors, you know.”
    â€œI don’t flipping care!” Toni shot back, her hands balling into fists.