"Well, you didn't have to, but since you mentioned it, yes I do have the same bank and routing number. You can go ahead and send the funds. Preferably, with five zeroes on the end."
He remained quiet and after a few milliseconds, he murmured, "You'll have it by tonight."
"Don't call my phone no more, Malcolm." I demanded, and before he could utter anything else, I hung up. Minutes after I ended the call, I got a notification from my bank mentioning thelump sum amount and it'd be deposited in my bank account in 3-5 business days.
Shaking my head, I placed my phone back on the island and sauntered over to the pots to prepare myself a plate. Then I poured myself a large glass of red wine. It was way more than I needed, but I needed something to help soothe rough edges. With the shitty few days I had, I needed a stiff drink too, but I'd make one later on, after putting food on my stomach. Childlike, I only prepared enough for me.
I grabbed my plate and went to the living room, where I curled up on the couch and turned on Netflix, scrolling until I found something decent to watch. Partially, the dialogue was just background noise, something to fill the silence because I was casually scrolling on my phone laughing at TikToks and eating.
Also, I was aware of everything around me. From the amount of time I'd been here, I became adjusted to every sound in the house and creak of the floorboards…even when the wind shifted outside. By the time I finished my plate and cleaned up the kitchen, I smelled it. The smell of thick cigar smoke, lingering over the cooking, wafting through my nose. It was rich and earthy with notes of leather and spice, lingering through the kitchen like a ghost, making my stomach clench.
That meant Syx was in the cellar smoking a cigar, creating distance between us. I didn't probe further though. I trotted upstairs to retrieve my yoga mat so I could release some steam. Yoga always seemed to help my mind at ease. My fear of going swimming in the ocean came from the unexpected storm the other day, so I held off on it.
Luckily, aside from the unnecessary shit Emma and Mina packed my suitcase with, I made sure to include my yoga mat.
"You're gonna be getting fucked. You ain't gon' be doin' no fucking yoga!" Mina's voice echoed in the back of my head, making me giggle just a tad bit.
Speaking of her crazy ass, I saw her contact flash across my phone screen. More than likely it was a conference call, because I'm certain Emma was on the other line, ready to be messy too.
"Hello," I greeted them.
"Hoe, what did we tell you about checking in?" Mina spoke rudely.
"Her mama ain't teach her shit," Emma chided in.
I giggled. "First of all, you bitches ain't my mama and I don't have to check in. If shit hit the fan, y'all know where to find me," I snapped back in a joking tone.
"You've been active in your close friends, so I guess that's the only place we can expect updates until you're ready to leave," said Emma.
"I thought your two weeks were over? He ain't made you nut yet?" Mina retorted, then sucked on her teeth.
"He did, but I had to extend my stay to handle a few more things," I responded.
"A few more things like what?" asked Mina, probing further in my business like an ignorant bitch, instead of accepting shit for what it is.
Biting the bullet, I told them the one thing I was trying to take to my grave unless time permitted otherwise. "I drowned in the ocean." I uttered way too casually, getting dramatic gasps from the both of them.
"Nyne, what the fuck! Why are you just now telling us this?" Emma shrieked.
"How the fuck did you drown anyway? I thought you knew how to swim?" Mina asked inquisitively.
"I do. I wasn't expecting it to storm though. I tried to swim back to the shore, but the further I swam, the water kept pushingme back. I'm definitely still traumatized, but they gave me top-of-the-line care so I'm okay for the most part."
"Well, it's good to know that you're okay," Emma spoke.
"Just don't tell my mama," I mentioned. "Regardless if I'm okay, she'll turn it into something that's not."
Mina asked, "Have you spoken to her?"
"I have," I answered, "but she doesn't know anything about this, so promise me y'all won't say shit and don't mention it to my mama or my sister."
"I won't," they uttered in unison.
"I'm just recovering, but I'll be leaving in two days."
"I'm sure you've been having fun, considering we haven't heard from you in a while."
"Yeah, it's been a journey. Malcolm's gay," I retorted, running my mouth way quicker than my thoughts could handle.
