It gets cold in the winter in Harlem. But what choice do I have? He’s kicked me out again. Bundled in just a sweater and sporting the bruises from where he beat me last night, I don’t know what else to do. I don’t even know where I’m going to sleep but I can’t go back but at the same time I don’t have a choice but to go back. I’ve been with my boyfriend for just over a year and he’s been abusive the entire time. Normally, I head to the park and stand around the fire barrels with the homeless just to keep from freezing to death but tonight, I don’t think I’ll make it there.
Walking down the street, I move into an alley to get out of the wind to figure out my next move. Deciding I don’t have a choice, I go home to beg Jake to take me back in. Maybe next time, he’ll kill me and I’ll get out of this life. I move out of the alley to head back home but before I can get to the door, I see him walking another woman to the door and kissing her goodnight. He beats me and cheats on me. I go to walk away. I get a couple of blocks and move to another alley for a few minutes to get out of the wind. I’ll freeze to death out here.
It must be close to 2am because it looks like the last of the people are walking out of Harlem’s Paradise. I hide at the side of the building, out of sight, hoping that once people are gone, I can find a place to sleep. Once everyone is gone, or so I think, I walk out of the alley and walk past the club. “Are you okay?” a voice asked. I just keep walking. A hand gently grabs my elbow and asks again. “Are you okay?” I don’t look up and say “I’m fine. Thank you.” and try to walk away. “You’re freezing.” he says. “I’ll be fine.” I say and start to walk again. He grabs my arm again and turns me so that he can look at me. Seeing my busted face he puts his coat around me and says “Come on Sweetheart.” and leads me to his SUV that’s waiting.
Once inside the SUV, he asks “Where do you live?” I shake my head and say “I don’t.” He tilts my head to look at him and as he examines my face he asks “Who hurt you?” I don’t answer. I pull out of his grip and look at my hands. “You can let me out here please.” I say. “Who hurt you?” he asked again. I feel the tears start to fall and he tilts my face up and wipes away the tears. “He won’t hurt you again. I got you.” he says. “You don’t know me.” I say. “What’s your name?” he asks. “Harlow James.” I say. “Well, Harlow James, I’m Shades Alvarez. Now we know each other.” he says.
Leading me inside, he sits me at the kitchen island and starts cleaning up my face after handing me a cup of hot tea to warm me up. He starts talking again. “How’d you end up out on the streets with no coat?” he asked. Finally deciding that he’s being nice enough I should tell him the truth. “I live with my boyfriend. This isn’t the first time he’s beat me up and kicked me out on the streets so that he can bring one of his whores home.” I tell him. “Why do you stay?” he asks as his jaw clenches. Looking at my hands I say “Who else would want me?” I feel the tears start again. Wiping my tears away, he says “Give me his address. In the morning, me and my guys will go get your things. You’re with me now.” he says. I look at him shocked. “Look, you need a place to stay and I need someone by my side. You help me and I’ll help you.” he says and I nod. After he cleans my face, he shows me to the bedroom where I’ll be staying. He goes to walk out of the room when I ask “Will you stay? I don’t want to be alone right now.” I tell him. “Yeah.” he says. He strips down to his boxer briefs after handing me some clothes to sleep in and turns so that I can change. Getting into bed, I lay with my back to him and he wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. “Good night Harlow.” he says softly. “Good night Shades.” I say. “Hernan.” he says. “Good night Hernan.” I say before dozing off.
The next morning, we wake up and he leads me to the kitchen and there’s breakfast ready. We eat and he asks “What’s his address?” I write it down for him and say “I promise I’ll figure something out soon.” I tell him. “You already have. I meant what I said. I need someone by my side to have my back. You take care of me and I’ll do the same for you.” he says and I believe him.
A little later, he knocks on the door of the address I gave him. “Can I help you?” Jake asks when he answers the door. “You Jake Stevens?” Shades asks. “Who’s asking?” Jake asks. Pushing him inside, Shades says “Harlow is with me now. She won’t be coming back. Quinton, Bruno, go to the bedroom and get her things.” Shades says. “You won’t go anywhere.” Jake says. They go anyway. Shades pins Jake to the wall and has his hands wrapped around Jake’s throat, choking him. “You ever come hear Harlow again, I’ll put a bullet in your head myself. Do you understand?” Shades asks and Jake nods his head.
An hour later, Shades walks in the door with three dufflebags. “Take them to my room please guys.” he says before walking over to me. “Jake won’t bother you again. From here you, you’re with me. I’ll make sure you’re safe.” he tells me. “Why are you helping me?” I ask. “No woman should be treated like that and I promise you’ll be treated like the beautiful woman you are.” he says and I feel myself tear up again. Pulling me to him he says “I’ve got you.”