Being in love again is crazy scoot!
Bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese, and orange juice.
I remember when I didn’t have the cheese to order for you.
Now everybody knows my fee is a quarter or two.
I know she’s always had it, but now I’m gettin’ all this cabbage.
I used to ride a Porsche, but it stopped working like it’s the sabbath.
I’m sure baby has had it with these guys, that’s always lackin’.
But I ain’t playing games.
I’m staying focused, baby girl.
I’m here for practice
I turned toward him, cheesing hard as hell. “Kareem!” I squealed as I rushed and hugged him.
I hugged him so tightly I didn’t want to let go, “I missed you, Rich Girl. A nigga did,” he said on the side of my face.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I wept.
“It’s not your fault. I don’t want to even think about that right now. I promised you Christmas with your family, so let’s do it,” he told me.
I pulled away and wiped my tears. Kareem took the bracelet from my hand and put it on my wrist. When we turned to look, my mother stood there with tears in her eyes. “It looks like Princess Shira has been saved. Come on, y’all, let’s have a real Christmas Breakfast,” she said as she walked out first with Kareem behind her. “We eat pork over here, so I hope you do too,” I heard her still talking as they disappeared around the house.
If I had to place this Christmas on my list, this would be the best one yet.
PAIGE
The sounds of The Temptations crooning their version of Silent Night lingered beneath my bedroom door. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, as I thought about everything I had gone through over the past couple of weeks. The girls had been calling to check on me, but everyone, including them, had gone on DND. I was over it all. I faced reality, and even the game couldn’t put me back in La La Land.
I was all cried out over Braylen and just wanted to move on. My heart yearned for him, but my mind was still mad. After leaving his place that night, I finally checked Tyrek’s email, and he fucking knew Braylen was behind the game. I hadn’t heard from Tyrek since then, and to think he was still alive was delusional. That day, I saw it in Braylen’s eyes. He killed Tyrek. Just as I, Morgan, Alyse, and Samara kept our secret about Keith, Braylen and his friends kept theirs. Even then, I still chose Braylen with all my heart.
My door slowly opened, and I knew it was my mom on her Mama Claus shit that she did every year. When the tall stature entered my room, you would have thought I saw a ghost. I leapedfrom the bed and ran into his arms. “Leek!” I screamed as I hugged him tightly. “I missed you so much,” I whispered.
“Don’t start that crying shit. I missed you, too, sis. Big Bro home now!”
I moved back to take my brother in, and although I missed Braylen, having my brother here filled that emptiness. My brothers were my protectors, and having him home for Christmas was one of the best gifts. I left the room with him and went into the living room, where Tuesday, Pierre, my mom, and Tuesday’s mother were watching us. The room was full of love, and everything I once took for granted was present with me. “How did you get out?” I asked.
“Shit, the homie looked out. He talked to his pops, and here I am. A free man with a clean record, well, somewhat,” he shrugged as he pulled out a chair for me to sit at the table.
Pierre pulled out Tuesday’s chair, and we all sat. “Tell him, little ugly. Tell Leek how you fucking with Beans.”
“Pierre!” My mother shouted.
Leek turned to me. “Oh yeah? Now shit makes sense. I was wondering why the nigga always asked about you when he would pick me up. He’s a cool dude.”
I picked over my food. “Can we talk about something else. He and I are not talking,” I paused. “Anymore,” I mumbled.
My mother rubbed my hand, “It’s ok, sweetie. If it’s meant to be, it will work out.”
Pierre chomped on the bacon as he turned to my mother. “Well, Naheem ass is dead. Guess it wasn’t meant to be,” he said to my mother.
Her head snapped his way as she cleared her throat. “Who said?” she asked.
