We all laughed at that one. It felt good to gather with my people. It let me know that I worked too much and needed to take more time for things like this. Work would always be there, but people were leaving this earth every day. Time waited for no one, and I wanted to enjoy whatever time I had left with the people I loved most.
Chapter 29
Alayah
I smiled as I watched Ellie and Parker sing along to the movie like they hadn’t seen it a million times. I didn’t see the comparison of me to Moana, but I guess it could be the hair and our similar complexations. Either way, I was flattered they thought I looked like a Disney princess.
Currently, they were perched on my sisters’ laps. They’d both quickly taken to Adrienne and Amiyah. I guess it was that fascination with teenaged girls. When we first settled into the den, they were playing in my sisters’ hair and tracing their freckles, trying to figure out how to get some of their own.
Watching them made me wonder how Adrienne and Amiyah would be if I ever had kids. Miyah for sure would be the pushover auntie. I could see her never saying no and letting them run amuck. Adrienne would be the cool aunt, the one they could call if they were ever in trouble and didn’t want me to know.
“Looks like our girls made friends,” Kyah said to Bridget.
Bridget laughed. “When have you ever known Ellie not to make a friend? Alayah has been her friend in her head since she met her.”
I giggled. “She’s a sweetheart.”
“She can be a little sour patch at times. Are you prepared for sleepovers? You see she has a whole bedroom here.”
“I did see that when he gave me a tour of the house. And yes, I’m prepared. I’ll do my best to keep her entertained.”
“So, Alayah,” Kyah said, sipping her mocktail, “you went to school with my husband and Killian. Was he really a ho back then?”
I covered my mouth to stifle my laugh. “He,uh…he was very friendly with the ladies. I don’t remember him evernothaving a girlfriend. When Killian told me he got married, I was shocked. What did you do to that man?”
Kyah smirked. “I let him know I was the best thing to happen to him and he’d never get another me. He fell in line when he saw I wasn’t down for playing games. Trust me, honey, if a man wants to, he will.”
“Oh, she knows that,” Bridget chimed in. “I’ve never seen my little brother like this. I mean he was never for the streets. He’s always been respectful and loving, but girl, him with you. No questions asked, he just does it.”
I blushed. “Killian is a wonderful man. I was lucky to have him as a friend and even luckier that our friendship blossomed into a love I never imagined.”
“Wait! So he’s told you he loves you?” Bridget asked.
I nodded. “He has, and I love him, too. I don’t think there was any way I couldn’t love him. He’s been so kind and patient with me—so supportive and understanding. I feel so much peace with this man.”
They looked at each other with their bottom lips poked out.
“I love that for you, babes,” Bridget said. “My brother is a good man. I know you two will be happy. Hopefully, I can get some nieces and nephews out of the deal. I’m ready to return the spoiling he’s done to my child. Just know when you say no, TiTi Bridget is gonna say yes.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, TiTi, your brother and I would have to be doing something for you to get nieces and nephews.”
“Wait,” she whispered. “Y’all haven’t…you know?”
“We haven’t taken it that far. Between y’all and me, I’m dying to know what it’s like with him. I’m just…I’m afraid. We’ve done things. He’s given me control over my desires and asks for my consent, but taking it all the way? I’m afraid I’m just gonna lay there or my mind will revert back to the trauma.”
Kyah’s brows furrowed. “Trauma? Were you assaulted?”
“Kadeem didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Ium…I spent ten years in prison for offing the man that raped and molested me for three years.”
“What? Oh my God!”
I quietly gave her a summary of my history. As I spoke, tears filled her pretty brown eyes.
She reached out and grabbed my hand. “How are you surviving right now, honey?”
