“I didn’t sleep much, especially the last six months. But maybe a week ago I actually went to sleep and for the first time in years I dreamed of Veya and we’re standing in a house just like this and she smiled at me and told me it was time to get up and go home. I told her I was home and I didn’t know what shetalking about and she said don’t let your heart die because it’s broken, go home. I was done with everything before but I was still there. I don’t know maybe too embarrassed to face this head on. But when I woke up, I was done. I’ve been craving home and wanting you since the moment I left and foolishly I didn’t turn around. This is just confirmation of what I’ve wanted for as long as we’ve been in this orbit. I’m home with you. I’m safe with you. I’m protected and loved with you,” Nyna paused to catch her breath and wipe her face. DJ quickened to her to cup her face and her held on to his forearms. “I’m so sorry for leaving. I won’t do it again. I promise. I love you DJ and I don’t want life without you anymore.”
DJ kissed her lips and pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m not letting you leave me again.”
Nyna laughed through the tears. “I love the house.”
“I knew you would. Want the rest of the tour?”
“Yes, please.”
After the tour of the house, the quickie in the kitchen and the plans to have furniture delivered after Nyna decided what she wanted, she was back at Big Mama’s. She sat on the couch, her hair deep conditioning underneath a shower cap. DJ had gone to handle some last minute details with a promise to be back at the house for dinner with her and Big Mama if she were back.
“Mm mm mm,” Big Mama hummed on her way in the house. She locked the door dropped her bag and roamed deeper into the house. Spotting Nyna on the couch she stopped humming and asked, “did you send him away?”
Nyna laughed. “No.”
“Oh she laughs,” Big Mama said with a smile. She sat down and took the brand new phone from her Nyna’s hands. “Oh furniture. He took you to the house?”
“He took me to the house. I dreamt about the house. Veya was there,” Nyna shared.
“She might be here in flesh but her spirit is still around guiding us. Watching. There was many nights I was on my face praying that God brought you back home. Safe and sound. It’s a prayer that had gone unanswered for a very long time. I’ve come to terms that your mother isn’t coming back. I don’t know where she is, if she’s even still on this side with us. But I prayed that God sent me back my blood. I got you back and I know you didn’t come back just for me.DJ needed you, too.
When DJ told me about the house, he wanted me to move in with him. I didn’t have issue with that. I’d have a whole space in the back but I knew you needed to be in there before me. To feel it and make it your own. That’s what I want you to do. I want you to make it home. I want y’all to make love and have all that nasty sex all over everything. And before you say Big Mama don’t forget I was young once too. You need that time with your man before people come into your space. You need that time to connect, to argue, to make up, to just be in love with you two and not worry about the outside noise.
When you’re ready for me to guide your through pregnancy and birth, and raising, and all of that. I’ll be there, I promise. I won’t leave you anytime soon so don’t stay here because you’re scared of that or even giving you heart away again. I can assure you, you are in good capable hands because I saw to it myself. The past is the past and we can’t erase it or do it over, it’s done. But your future for yourself and with him is bright.”
Nyna rested her head on Big Mama’s shoulder. “You’re right. But you said all of that because you want Deacon Morris on a regular. DJ has been cramping your grown folks time.”
“Oh girl yes!” Big Mama huffed. “I messed around and gave him a key never got rid of him. Don’t get me wrong I love the boy like he’s my own and I know why he needed to be here. But your home and I need you to please take him.”
Nyna laughed. “I’m telling him what you said.”
“Tell him. I’m not afraid of not a nigga you hear me?”
Nyna continued to laugh. “I hear you. I’ll be in your space a couple more days.”
“Nyna this will always be your home. This where I raised you and your sister. Whenever you need to come be replenished it’ll be here.”
“I love you, lady.”
“I love you, baby. And I’m proud of you for waking up and choosing you. But if you ever let a nigga put his hands on you again you’ll have to fight me and then I’m taking you back there to whip his ass.”
“I hear you.”
“And quiet is kept, he might not make it to that game tonight. When you see your man go ahead and get on your knees. I’ll have my TV turned up.”
“Big Mama,” Nyna said with a gasp lifting her head.
“What did I say? Huh? Feed him, suck it, and ride it. Talkin’ aboutBig Mama. Girl I had your grandaddy climbing these walls trying to get to me and when he caught me again, ohhh wee. This is why you need to move on in. Let him fold you up and turn you every which way but loose. That’s a man, protects you even when you’re not around. That’s a man that stands on his business.”
eight
DJ
It’d been a week since Nyna came home. Seven whole days and he had her in the house in nothing but his shirt. All they’d been doing since the car show was enjoying the rounds in their new bed. On the floor. In the living room. On the kitchen table. On top of his sapphire painted classic.
Now they were on the patio, Nyna’s legs draped over his sharing a blunt.
“How you feeling?” he asked blowing the smoke into the night air.
