“I saw a park on the way over.” He looked up at her and smiled. “Can we go there if we stay here?”
“Yes, love.” She picked him up in her arms when she noticed I was in the room. “Whatever you want.”
“As you know, there’s a newly built park a few blocks over, as well as the indoor playground, Kiddie Kingdom. The MARTA has several stops throughout the neighborhood.” I handed her a small pamphlet with more details on the community. “For added safety, there are several officers who live nearby as well.”
After she thanked me, I excused myself and allowed her some space. I knew a single mother when I saw one, and I wanted to be respectful as she made a crucial decision for her and her son.
“Excuse me, but this house is amazing.” Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with a very handsome gentleman. “What’s the asking price?”
“One twenty.” I gave a polite smile. “I’m not trying to break the bank. Plus, with the reputation this area has, I think it’s fairly reasonable. It’s a rare find.”
“Rare indeed.” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth, running his eyes over my body. “Where are my manners?” Holding his hand out for me to shake, he smiled when I accepted. “I’m Damien.”
“Blossom.” I shook his hand before pulling back, which he reluctantly let go. “Thank you for coming out today. If you need anything?—”
“How about your number?” He placed his hand on my waist, stopping me as I was walking away. “I would love to take you out sometime.”
Stepping back from his personal space, I ran my hand down the back of my fresh pixie cut. Being hit on by men was nothingnew, but that didn’t mean it was any less uncomfortable. I knew I was a pretty woman with a nice build, but the attention that came with being attractive was something that I never liked.
“While I appreciate the offer, I’m taken.” I held up my finger and showed him my engagement ring. The light in his eyes as he stared seemed to dim, and his smile began to fade. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to attend to the others. Again, thank you for coming.”
For four hours, I entertained and met several new faces. I had lived in the city my entire life, but I wasn’t familiar with a lot of the townspeople. My life was very sheltered, and it was as if I was in a new place for the first time. After receiving a few inquiries and a couple of offers, I deemed the day a successful one. Even Damien stuck around and put in a bid for the home. Surprisingly, his presence didn’t make things awkward. Most men would have caused a scene when turned down, and being that he didn’t, I was thankful. He had even offered to help me clean, but I declined. It was late, and I needed to get home. After I discarded the rest of the snacks, I locked up and called it a night. I would just have the cleaning company come and do the heavier cleaning tomorrow.
Unlocking the doors to my truck, it seemed as if the air shifted, causing the hairs on my neck to stand. For the past month, I felt as if I was being watched. My mind would always go back to the night I was leaving the final walkthrough of this home, and I locked in on the coldest eyes I’d ever seen. Although it was dark, his unnatural glare and the shine of his machete couldn’t be missed. I didn’t know what had gone on in that house, but it wasn’t for me to figure out.
As I looked around, I noticed the kids playing as the sun began to set. Hurriedly, I got inside my truck, wasting no time locking my doors. I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I started my vehicle, putting it in drive immediately. Glancing from theroad to my rearview mirror, there was no one following me or anything out of the ordinary. Sighing in relief, I eased off the gas and cruised toward my home near Highland Meadows. After telling myself I was being overly paranoid, I decided to make my way over to my favorite coffee shop.
“Well, well… Look at who it is,” my favorite barista, Scotlyn, greeted me as I stepped inside. The place was empty, being as though it was about to close. “The usual? If I know nothing else?—”
“Girl, you don’t know me.” I waved her off. Scanning the menu, I dragged my eyes back to hers as she looked at me with a raised brow. “Ok, fine. Give me the usual.”
Sharing a laugh, I stood off to the side and waited for her to fix my favorite iced coffee. The Reapers had a preseason game at home tonight, so the streets were scarce, being as though everyone was at the stadium. That was better for me because crowds made me antsy.
“Thanks, my girl.” I tipped her and winked before walking out. “Next time, I’m going to surprise you.”
Leaving the café and stepping onto the sidewalk, I could have sworn I saw someone duck through the alley once I peered in that direction. Against all the voices that screamed at me, I speed-walked in the direction I saw them go.
“Hey!” I called out from the end of the alley, still under the streetlight. “Why are you following me?”
Seeing the hooded figure disappear between buildings, I looked around frantically before running back to my truck. Once I hopped inside, tears pricked my eyes from fear, and I didn’t know what to do about it. When I felt calm enough to drive, I pulled my phone from my purse, shakily dialing my mother.
“Yes, dear,” she answered on the second ring. “Your father and I were just talking about you.”
“Well, how about I come and see you and the old man? I’m already in the car. Talk to me until I get there.”
I didn’t want to alarm her, but paranoia had settled in. Hopefully, she wouldn’t make a big deal about me suggesting I stay the night with them. Fear had gotten the best of me, and there was no way I was going home alone.
“Come on now, Rasheeda.” I sipped my wine as I snuggled onto the couch, catching up onLove and Hip-Hop Atlanta. “It ain’t that much love in the world.”
“Who are you telling?” Stacy’s voice flowed through my iPad. I had her propped up on a pillow beside me on FaceTime. “I would’ve been put a wet belt on Kirk’s black ass. Out here looking like a sloth and got the nerve to be cheating. I swear, these niggas are embarrassing on and off camera.”
Simpering, I agreed with her as I continued to tune in.
It was a Sunday evening, and watching ratchet television was my favorite way to wind down. I’d had a very productive week, and taking a vacation was weighing heavily on my mind. Within the next few days, I was hoping to close on the house I showcased, and I couldn’t wait.
“What’s crazy to us may not be to her.” I reached for my vibrating phone and saw it was TJ texting. He had gotten off work early and said he was on his way. “Sometimes, the love you share with a person is stronger than anything that’s presented to tear you apart.”
As Stacy began to speak about how men weren’t shit and what she would never put up with, I thought about my relationship with TJ. I had love for him, but I didn’t know if the love was enough for me to endure the things that werehappening. I was a firm believer that what you put up with was what you allowed. If I continued to let him get away with little things like not spending time together, it could turn into a bigger issue later. Maybe tonight was the night we would put it all on the line.
