I was more irritated with myself than anything. There was a time when life used to be fun, but that phase left years ago. With him being gone, I had no reason not to try and live again. Royce erased the problem, but it was on me to cover the damage. The timer went off as soon as I stood to stretch my legs.
“That’s our time,” she said following suit. “The retreat ends tomorrow, Heidi. Will I be seeing you again?”
“You will not. If I’m speaking in all honesty, I think this is the last time we’ll be seeing each other. I’ve wasted six years of your time, and this is the first day I’ve taken a step forward. I think it’s time I toss the crutches and do something about my peace and sanity. Thank you, Dr. Wright for always being a nonjudgemental ear.”
Leaning forward with stretched arms, I wrapped them around her engaging in a brief hug. She offered a light chuckle as she rubbed my back. I was thankful for her not pushing me to the side and allowing me to take my time. No journey is easy, and she gave me all the room to make a move.
“I’ll always be here if needed. Call and don’t be afraid of the hour. I’ll answer,” she assured me as she handed over her business card.
I took it and gave a slight nod before I exited the same way I entered. Niyani sat waiting for her turn to be seen. She glancedup and instantly noticed I’d been crying. I somehow found myself surrounded by attentive people.
“Are you alright?” she questioned.
“I’m good friend. Do you want me to wait or head back?” I countered. I wasn’t in the mood to talk about the session.
“Head back. I’m gon’ be here for a while.”
I stared into her eyes and found nothing. Niyani was a master at masking her feelings. I did know that if she wanted me to know where her head was, she’d let me know. I learned not to pry in folk lives to keep them from prying into mine. She was just as fragile as I was but, on the outside, looking in, you’d think she was as tough as nails.
“Are you okay, Niyani?” Now it was my turn to check on her.
“No, but I will be. I’ll see you in a bit.” With that, she entered Dr. Wright’s office, shutting the door behind her.
I didn’t want to leave her but if it was the other way around with her going first, I wouldn’t want her to stick around and wait either. I left from the main house and headed back to the space me and Niyani shared to pack up. It was ‘bout that time to endure Sage Springs once more. Plus, I was sure Royce was losing his shit trying to figure out where I was. Empathy Emporium had jammers that canceled out our cell signals.
I guess I’ve outstayed my welcome.
3
BENTLEY
The steaming hot water hit my chest waking me up entirely. I’d been dragging for the past few days knowing what was to come. It was ‘bout that time to go and visit my parents, my mother specifically. Her death anniversary was my birthday, and I avoided her every year. She was the one person I never knew but loved more than anyone. Aunt Daisy spoke about her niece with so much passion I had no choice but to love her.
I watched videos of her and read her letter to me every year until I was eighteen. I took everything she said to heart. The only thing I lived by were her words.Don’t ever let anyone play with your name. You’re an Atkins, but Bentayga’s blood run throughyour veins. Make us proud.
From the second I touched Bentayga’s inheritance, I ain’t seen another nigga step like me. My empire grew in silence for ten years before I finally put a face to my name. If Rhema could see how her baby boy ran Florida, she’d be more than proud. I never asked Aunt Daisy about her family, and she never told. All I knew was her and that was how I preferred it.
Grabbing the loofa, I proceeded to wash my ass. It was gon’ be a long day I could feel it. It took me all of thirty minutes to scrub off yesterday and another ten to handle my face andmouth. I was walking out the bathroom in a bathrobe and slippers shortly after.
“Baby boy, breakfast is ready.” Aunt Daisy’s soft voice came over the intercom.
Strolling over to the intercom at my bedroom door, I pressed the mic and answered with, “I’ll be down in a minute Ma.”
Entering my closet, I instantly settled on all black fit. That was the only color my closet really consisted of. I was so used to moving in the shadows black became part of my personality. My car was black, my home décor was black, my credit cards were black, and when it came to the kind of woman I wanted by my side, if the pussy wasn’t black, I wasn’t going.
Finally dressed and looking like somebody, I headed downstairs with my cell in tow. I scrolled through the many notifications as I walked to the kitchen. Turning the corner, I was hit with a spread of food lined up on the island. Aunt Daisy never knew how to do anything light.
Closing the gap between us, I bent down and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Hey baby boy. How you feeling this morning?” she questioned smiling wide as ever.
“I’m straight. Why you go the extra mile this morning? What’s on your mind?”
“The usual. I miss my niece, so I started to busy myself to keep from crying. Before I knew it, I had an entire spread. I hate that it’ll go to waste.” She pulled down two plates from the cabinet and placed them on the counter.
“It won’t. I’ll take whatever we don’t eat to the crew. You riding with me to the grave today?” I asked scooping some grits on my plate.
“I planned on it. That is if you didn’t mind me tagging along.”
