Her bottom lip trembles, and I simply nod, unable to formulate words from the heaviness of this moment. Roslyn Edmonds might have been a woman incapable of tolerating or dealing with men. But she never failed to love LaKendric and me.
“Alright. We’ve held you up long enough. It’s time for you to go before Ma hogties you to that pole in her basement.” LaKendric’s voice breaks up the melancholy of this moment as Mom and I giggle simultaneously.
Today is moving day, and I stopped at Mom’s house before officially getting on the road for Kaigood. My SUV is loaded with my remaining belongings, and my adrenaline spikes when I realize that the moment is upon me.
“I love you, Deshona Charise,” Mom says before she places a gentle kiss on my forehead and backs away from me.
“I love you more,” I return before my eyes shift to LaKendric. “Take care of her, or I’m going to kick your ass.”
“Hush up. Your little ass will have to come back to do anything, and I ain’t worried about your little threat.” LaKendric waves me off with a wink as I turn and walk to my vehicle.
My heart races, and the vein in my neck pulses wildly, yet I open my door and slip inside without further rebuttal. I start the engine, honk my horn, and pull off as water slips from my eyes.
“Lord, I don’t know what’s waiting for me in Kaigood, but please let it be better than what I’m running from.” I sigh, then turn up my radio so my playlist can help me through the drive.
It matters to have a great playlist when you’re going on any road trip, and I’m grateful for the one I created. The nearly two-hour drive feels like twenty minutes when I pull into the attached garage at Kaiku Luxury Apartments. It takes me twenty minutes to breeze through the process of getting the key for my unit. A giddy feeling surges through my body when I exit the elevator and walk to my new front door. I insert the key and push through the front entrance with a warm smile.
“I did it. I’m here. There’s no turning back now, Deshona.”
My eyes bounce around the area as I take in my new home. The cream-colored walls feel warmer than the white ones that lined my previous dwelling. The living room is set up with gray furniture that doesn’t look cheap or from a thrift store, which pleases me. There’s also a large plant with a bow around it on the small dining table that connects to the dining and living rooms. Adjacent to these two areas is a bar-like structure that separates them from the kitchen.
My feet lead through these three areas before I go around the corner and head to the back of the unit. The first door I reach is a modern-style bathroom that doesn’t give me pause. I continue searching for the bedrooms. The room next to the bathroom is empty, with stark white walls that prompt my mind to wander over various ways to decorate the space. Satisfied with what I’m seeing, I move on to the master bedroom.
“Oh yeah, I can totally work with this,” I say when I walk in and see the large king-size bed that appears to be on some type of platform.
There is also a bench at the end of the bed and a large dresser, but the bed is bare, which delights me. While I don’t have a problem with a fully furnished apartment, I draw the line at sleeping on sheets that have been used by others. First, I’ll unload my vehicle, then go shopping for new bedding. I do a little jig as I exit the bedroom, heading toward the front door feeling lighter than I did when I left Columbus.
Chapter 4
Alijah
“That bitch,” Ma says in a harsh voice that could cause fear in the hardest man.
I’ve been crashing on Dre’s couch in his man cave since the shit went down with Monika. Not wanting to face anyone while I took time to overcome my heartbreak, I have been hiding out. Monika has been blowing up my phone, and I’ve sent every call to voicemail. The crying and pleading, both verbal and in text messages, have only pissed me off. It’s crazy to me that Monika has been acting like her indiscretion isn’t a big deal.
The bullshit has been exhausting and led me to decide to move out of Ribax. I was gone off Woodford when I listened to a message from Monika, and the next thing I knew, I was searching for neighboring cities to get out of dodge. The thought of running into Monika or even living in the same city after what she did boils my blood. I need new scenery, which is why I’m at my parents’ place. I had to not only break it to them about my breakup with Monika but also my decision to move to Kaigood. I had just finished giving my parents and siblings the rundown about what went down.
“Oh, she’s a bitch now, Ma?” Aaron’s brows hike as a smirk forms on his lips, and I chuckle lightly at his attempt to further ruffle Ma’s feathers.
“How are you handling all this shit, Son?” Pops interjects before Ma can reply to Aaron’s question.
I take a minute to gather my words and not let the negatives and expletive words spinning in my mind fall from my lips.
“Not well. It’s actually why I asked everyone to be here today. I’m moving.” My words are void of emotion as my eyes bounce around the room.
Ma’s mouth hangs open as she blinks continuously. Gianna’s face contorts as her eyes fill with fire. Aaron’s head bobs like a bobblehead, and I wonder what he’s thinking. Pops grunts as he cracks his knuckles before he speaks again.
“You’re letting pussy run you out of town?”
“Hell yeah.” Aaron chimes in before I have a chance to respond.
“I’m beating her ass,” Gianna says.
When Ma’s mouth opens, I lift my hand to stop whatever words are about to fall from her mouth.
“Look, I know this situation isn’t ideal, and it’s even out of left field. But the truth is, I can’t walk the same streets as the woman who broke my fucking heart. I had plans to marry Monika. My ego and dick took a hit when I walked in and saw that woman eating pussy and making the same sounds she did when she had a mouth full of my?—”
“Whoa, Son. I get it. Please don’t finish that statement.” Ma waves her hands as her face morphs into a pained expression.
