For a moment, I was caught up in the visual of Monika and had forgotten that I was in the presence of my mother. Even after having days to process my new reality, I still haven’t been able to push through the pain. My chest has been in a constant state of pain that Tylenol nor Aleve have been incapable ofremoving. Monika’s ass really tap danced on my heart, and the only thing I can do is run. It’s probably not ideal or mature, but it’s the decision I came to. I’ve even found a place already. Deposits and rent payments have been made, and all I need to do is get my ass on the road.
“Where are you moving to?” Gianna asks, and I blink slowly as I return to the conversation.
“Kaigood. It’s not far from here, so y’all can take comfort in that. It’s not as far as I could go, but I don’t want to put forth that kind of effort just yet. All I ask is that none of you mention my whereabouts to that woman.”
A humorless laugh escapes Ma’s mouth as her face hardens, and she places her right hand on her waist.
“Even her master, the devil, couldn’t pry that information from us. She would do well to keep her hot curry pussy on her side of town,” Ma says with a roll of her eyes.
A shout of laughter echoes around the room as Ma shrugs like she didn’t say anything wrong. It’s the first time I’ve laughed since before my world fell apart. Ma is wild, but from the tightness around her eyes, I can sense how she feels about what Monika did to me.
“Whether she stays on her side or my side, I’m tagging her ass on sight,” Gianna says deadpan.
“Don’t even worry about it, little Sis. Karma will get her ass better than any jab you can,” I say.
“Tuh.” Gianna rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Let’s talk about something more important. When are you leaving? You ain’t about to ride off into the sunset without us sending you off the right way,” Aaron interjects.
“Tomorrow,” I whisper and drop my head so as not to see their reaction.
“What the fuck?” Pops grumbles.
I try to ignore the protests from my family as they go from shocked to immediate planning. I should have known that I wouldn’t be able to sneak out of town without fanfare. This is why I love my family and will miss them once I’ve moved to Kaigood. The only great thing about my departure is that the commute to pop in on them won’t require a tank of gas or a stop at Buc-ees. Although that wouldn’t be an inconvenience as I have heard great things about their chopped brisket sandwiches and cherry sours.
“Alright. You can leave tomorrow night after we’ve gotten a chance to spend time with you,” Ma says in a tone that offers zero opportunity for me to debate or shoot down her words.
“That’s fine because I would rather move my stuff when people aren’t watching me like a hawk.”
“Oh, that’s cute that you thought I cared if you had any objections,” Ma says and waves me off before she and the rest of my immediate family place calls to our extended family.
I walk away and let them continue making plans, then go out the back door with my feet leading me toward the firepit, where the chairs are from the last family gathering. I’m about to make a drastic change in my life, and for the first time since my decision, the weight of it hits me like a steel drum.
The Next Evening. . .
My heart is full, and my eyes are officially strained from the unplanned tears I’ve shed during the going-away party. I blame Gwen Dawson for that, as Ma cried the entire event like I was about to go off to war or some shit. Even now, I sneak out of my parents’ crib just so Ma, Pops, Gianna, and Aaron don’t see me leave.
“Damn, you’re a hard man to catch up with.”
My head shoots up as I stare daggers at Monika, who leans her back against my ride like she's paying the gotdamn note.
“That should tell you something, huh?”
“I miss you, Lijah. Why does this have to end?”
“The fact that you see no issue with what you did confirms that we’re truly over. But on some real shit, I suggest you bounce while you have time because your bullshit didn’t just affect my feelings. Staying out here any longer could be hazardous for your health.”
I hit the button to unlock my vehicle and pull the door open, my eyes shifting from Monika. My damn chest tightens as pain radiates across it, which pisses me off more than Monika’s nonchalance about popping up here.
“We can?—”
In this life or the next, I don’t wish to speak to her ass again. Fuck her desire to speak her peace. She should have considered my peace when she came up with the plan to fuck other women in the bed we shared. I slam my door, instantly drowning out Monika’s words, and start my vehicle while praying that she’s dumb enough to stay in place so I can run over one of her toes or some shit. Anger bubbles from deep in my stomach and is the fuel I need to pull away from my parents’ house without a backward glance.
The farther I get away, the easier I’m able to breathe. It’s the confirmation I need to know that I’m making the right decision. Thanks to the light evening traffic, I arrive at Kaiku Luxury Apartments twenty-five minutes later. I paid to have the property manager overnight the keys to my unit, so thankfully, my late arrival won’t prevent me from moving in. The last beer I consumed has me hopping on an elevator without grabbing any of my things. I jog to my door, insert the key, and freeze upon seeing several boxes in the living room.
“What the fuck? I know these mothafuckas didn’t leave somebody’s shit in my spot.” My face contorts, and a deep frown slides into place as an uneasy feeling settles in my damn stomach.
With tight brows, I move toward the back of the apartment to inspect the rest of the rooms as anger boils within me. I bypass the bathroom, momentarily forgetting that my urge to go is what sent me up here in the first place. There’s a small desk-like structure in the first bedroom I reach that heightens my apprehension even more. The door is nearly closed, and the hairs on my arms rise as I push it open and enter.
