He got my parking decal!
The tears that have been pooling in her eyes since she got the key to her car pour out. His thoughtfulness has no bounds. He always thinks of every small detail and this one hits her right in the heart. Going back to school and pursuing something she now loves means everything to her. He recognizes that and gets her a car and parking decal.When she steps into his arms, she forgets all about her mascara and finishing powder and lets her tears fall.
“Bae, come on,” he soothes as he thumbs her tears. “You’re gonna be late.” She nods but doesn’t move.
She remains in his arms until her tears stop. Then, and only then, she pecks his lips, breaks their embrace, then steps toward her beautiful new car. After she unlocks the door, she gets in and starts it. He places her things in the passenger seat then removes the large bow. She runs her hands across her steering wheel,admiring her macchiato beige and black interior, and inhaling the crisp, new car scent.
He bought me a car!
When the bow is completely off, he steps to her window and she lets it down. Her beautiful smile is cemented. She’s happy; so he’s happy. It’s just that simple.
“Have a good first day. I love you,” he says.
“I will; thanks to you. I love you so much.”
He watches until she backs out of the space and heads toward the exit. When she’s out of his sight, he journeys back inside. After washing his hands, he grabs a bag of chips from the pantry to go with his sandwiches. The faint sound of his cell ringing in the bedroom stops him right when he’s about to sit on the island stool.
“What’s up, bruh?” he answers when he sees it’s Axton.
“Different day, different shit. I got some interesting news,” Axton says.
“About what?”
“I finally figured out the numbers on the Post-It note.”
“Post-it note?” Akeem repeats and it hits him. “Tanjaya’s?”
“Yeah. It’s been a minute but I broke the code and got a hit. They’re bank accounts and it’s a few more than what’s on the list, seven total, plus one overseas in the Caribbean, Antigua. As her sister, Sunjiya could get a nice piece of money after she handles all the legalities.”
“I don’t know,” is all Akeem says because he doesn’t know if this is something Sunjiya would even want to deal with. She hasn’t even mentioned her sister’s death since it happened and he hasn’t pressed her about it. Her life hasn’t been easy and she’s dealing with that the best way she knows how. He simply supports her, and financially, she’s good because he’s good. He owns all of his vehicles and the condo. His investment portfolio is prolific and lucrative. One job sets him up for a year and hetypically takes two or three a year. She doesn’t need the money at all.
“Well, I got all the info if sis wants to know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“How’d it go with the car?” Axton asks. The two brothers don’t have many secrets between them. In fact, Axton helped locate the specific color of her ride. Green and turquoise are her favorite colors.
“She had no clue and she loved it. She’s on her way to campus right now.”
“That’s what’s up, but you’ve set the bar. In May, Quise is going to expect a Hummer or some shit,” Axton says while laughing.
“Trust. I know. He was hinting at a Maverick during Christmas. But we have a plan. If he gets straight As from now until the end of the school year, I’ll get him one. It’s a decently-sized truck and his driving is actually really good now. I let him drive the Rover while he was here.”
“That’s why he hit me yesterday about his math class; he’s serious about them As.”
“His ass wants that damn truck.” Akeem walks back into the kitchen and slides onto the stool. “What’s up with you?”
“That’s my other news and it’s for your ears only. I’m not telling your momma or daddy until I have more details,” Axton says seriously.
“This sounds deep.”
“It is,” Axton admits. “Tanjaya’s job led us to Crescent Falls, and when I was digging there, I discovered their hospital, Mount Sinai. It has an innovative low vision center,” he begins and Akeem just listens. Axton has tried different experimental treatments in the past with no success and he hates to see Axton build himself up just to be let down. So, hopeful and in silence, Akeem tunes in as Axton explains this potential newtreatment. “There’s a new gene therapy drug prescribed to those who qualify. It’s expensive, but if I qualify, I’m going to go for it,” Axton says.
“What do you have to do to qualify?” Akeem asks.
“A week of clinical tests at their facility.”
“In Crescent Falls?”
