“I don’t know what kind if boy math that is, but I distinctly remember being two weeks older than you,lil’ homie.”
“Then why am I the one paying for your hair?”
“Because you work me like a Hebrew slave, duh,” she answered and we laughed.
“I pay you more than enough too,” I replied. “Enough tonothave to give you extra money to get your hair done.”
“Christmas bonuses are a thing, Kiyan.” She smiled and playfully rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’ll check in with you once I’m home.”
“Aight,” I nodded. “Drive safe.”
After closing her door, I made the short walk to my car. Once I was inside, I waited a minute for it to warm up then I took off to head home. On the way I went over different scenarios of what my approach would be. On one hand, it could be a peaceful approach where I asked them to leave and they did without confrontation, but it could be the opposite, so by the time I pulled up, I’d made up my mind that I was going to take my gun with me. I was a peaceful dude and had no desire to hurt anyone, but I was always going to protect myself first.
After securing my gun on my hip, I covered it with my coat then climbed out of my car. I slowly made my way to the door, giving the car a onceover as I did. The windows were still fogged, and it was still running. When I made it to the driver’s door, I knocked on the window.
I waited a few seconds before someone started to wiped the fog and I saw a pair of deep brown eyes peek through. Seconds later, the window came down and she said, “Hi.”
That one simple word and all the warmth in her voice was enough to melt every icicle that hangs from the trees and flake of snow on the ground. It rendered me speechless for a second. I didn’t know who I expected to find behind the fogged window, but it definitely wasn’t the brown skinned beauty that was staring back at me.
“Hello.” She waved her hand, jarring me from my thoughts. “Can I help you?”
“Uh, yeah, actually,” I ran my hand across my fade and glanced down the road for no reason other than I needed to look at something other than her beautiful face for a second. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing and only supposed to get colder as night falls.”
“Yeah, I know.” She smiled, but something about it seemed forced. It didn’t meet her red, puffy eyes, nor did it shine as brightly as I thought it could. “We’re just waiting on someone to come meet us.”
She was lying.
Not only had I been watching her on my camera, but I could also just sense it. In her smile. In her voice. In her eyes. It was apparent.
And we’re?
I leaned down a little and saw a little girl in the back leaning on a duffle bag, busying herself with an iPad. There were actually quite a few bags on the seat signifying that they were moving or traveling.
“Are you lost?” I asked. “Do you need directions?”
“Oh, no,” she chuckled. “I’m born and raised in AC, so I know my way around pretty good.”
“About how long will you be out here?”
“Not long. They should be here any moment now.”
I eyed her skeptically before nodding. “Aight, well, this is private property. I live right up this driveway…” I pointed.
“Oh, I’ll move.” She quickly went to put her car in gear, but I stopped her.
“Naw, I’m not telling you to move, love. I’m just telling you in case you…” I paused briefly to glance at baby girl who was still distracted by her tablet, “or lil’ mama need something like the bathroom, or a warm place to wait.”
“Oh, no,” she shook her head. “We’ll be fine.”
For some reason I wasn’t buying her story. It was freezing and there was no reason for her to be on the side of the road waiting for a ride, especially with a child, but I had to take her word for it. I just reiterated that they were welcome to come up to my place if needed before I left.
Chapter Three
As soon as my window was back up, my tears began to fall. I hated lying, but I couldn’t tell the stranger I was parked on the side of the road because we didn’t have anywhere to go. I’d tried every hotel and motel the night before and they were all booked. I knew that might happen due to people traveling for the holiday season, but I couldn’t believe thateveryroom in town was occupied. I ended up just driving around last night while Ava slept so she didn’t notice we were still in the car and she didn’t ask me tons of questions that I didn’t have the answer to.
I found the road that I’d parked on with no through traffic and figured we’d be okay to sit here until I figured something out. I didn’t account on someone living around here because I hadn’t seen any cars come or go. Only a few utility trucks, and I figured they were working nearby.
“Mommy, iPad.” Ava leaned forward, handing me the tablet then resting her little chin on my shoulder while pointing. “No working.”
