“It’s stupid. I have nothing to be scared of because it’s over and done. I broke all my rules, I have memories and all the ideas and hopes and dreams that’ll die along with the others. So this is stupid to even recant like I’m going to get swept off of my feet.”
Madeline observed her and knew what her granddaughter danced her way into. No matter how she tried to downplay it, erase it from her being, or train her mind not to remember, it would always be there. Love was always there. Sometimes emboldened and in your face, sometimes playing the background until it was ready to overtake the garden.
“What’s your dream, Aurora? And don’t tell me it's to become a lawyer and get all of your daddy’s things back. What drives you? What gets you out of the bed every morning? What makes a young woman as smart and as beautiful as you dance to pay for law school?”
Aurora looked at her grandmother. “I want to make him proud. I never got to make him proud. So I have to somehow, some way. I don’t want anyone else getting screwed the way we did. But overall, I want to prove to myself I’m more than just a daughter of a pro athlete.”
“Oh, Aurora, he’s proud of you. He’s always been. Even if he left you before we all were ready. I think that the loss of your father affected your want to hope, dream, and have ideas. I’ve watched you over the years, not expect too much from people because you were sure at some point they would leave you. Ithink last night stirred something in you, and what you felt is valid. You deserve to feel it and experience it. You never know why God does what He does.”
“I don’t think God was in anything I did,” Aurora dryly laughed. “I probably need to go to church and ask for forgiveness.”
“Mmm. Who is this man?”
“No one you’d know. We’re not going to even speak his name. If, which I doubt, he pops up, I’ll tell you. But he has some business and things to clear up and I don’t fit in that.”
“And why don’t you?”
“Because any man that worthy of having all of me, would need to be sure that there’s more than enough space for me in his life. I’m not competing for placement or visibility. I won’t be like those thirsty women vying for my dad’s attention. I won’t forget who I am to attempt to wrestle for something that should be mine.”
“Mm,” Madeline grunted. “I did a hell of a job with you.”
“You sure did.”
ten
. . .
“At some point,you’re going to talk to me and your brother,” Mrs. Wright spoke as Khalif entered his home after a three-mile run.
He’d barely slept since Aurora left. He hadn’t regretted not having his phone until he couldn’t contact his best friend to track her down. Her scent was still on his pillows and sheets, evidence of her presence in the tenderness of his dick, scratches on his back, and peace in his spirit.
Peace he would lose if he couldn’t be back in her presence soon.
“I told you last night, I’ll tell you again, I don’t have shit to say to Khalil,” Khalif scoffed, removing his earbuds. “I also asked you to give me some space.”
“I’m your momma,” Mrs. Wright hissed.
“I’m not debating that. You came in here hella rude and loud last night, demanding shit out of me that no one deserves. You haven’t even asked me if I’m alright. All y’all seem to give a damn about is how this made you look.”
“Watch your mouth, boy.”
“Not in my house. Nah. Hell nah,” Khalif blew. “I’m mindful. I’m respectful. I have gone above and beyond to make everyone in this family happy. I have taken care of that nigga when he tried to drag me to hell with him. This ain’t about Shenae. Fuck her. But my brother? The nigga I shared the womb with – my life with, snakes me out like that? Nah. I’m not having it.”
“Khalif!”
“No, ma. No! He should be happy I’m not still beating his ass for disrespecting me like that. I have never thought about hurting him. I never thought about disrespecting him as a man. He got in trouble, I hired a lawyer. He went to prison, I kept the books stacked. He came home, I gave him a job. Whatever he wanted, whatever he needed, I gave him. Like I gave it to you, Dad, and Brielle. Not one of y’all has ever asked me or cared to know what I needed. Didn’t even cross your mind.
“I would have married her and been the fool and miserable-ass man because it made y’all happy, but it made sense on paper business or otherwise. And you still wouldn’t have cared about my well-being. I am tired of taking care of people who can’t even be bothered to check in until I embarrass them and shatter their image. I’m cool on it.
“So, I’ll politely ask you again to leave me alone. I won’t be talking to Khalil. I won’t be making this right with her people. I won’t make a statement. I’m going to do what I want and y’all gotta deal with it.”
“Even that little stripper you had in here?” Mrs. Wright scoffed.
“Her name is Aurora, she’s a law student. And if that’s what I want, that’s what it’ll be, and ain’t shit you can do about it, no matter how hard you huff and puff. The days of y’all dictating my life are over.”
“Khalif,” his father’s baritone shook the space. “What you say to your mother?”
Khalif turned to face them both. “I’m not doing this no more. The people-pleasing bullshit is done.”
