Page 9 of A Don & His Doll

Rae beamed as she watched her sister from the sidelines because if anyone deserved this moment, Promise did. They were sisters, and no one knew her story better than God, Rae, and their mother. Time had a way of bringing life full circle, and by the grace of God, people reaped the good that was purposed for them from the beginning of time. Good things came to those who waited patiently for their time, and God, time, and life was doing a damn good job of proving that despite the odds stacked against them.

Standing in the middle of her empty living room, Promise inhaled deeply, and released her anxiety as she slowly exhaled. Jacksonville, Florida had been her home for seven years, and truthfully, she was comfortable. There was nothing in the world she wanted that she didn’t have, or couldn’t get. At least that’s what she thought until she met Monroe Black. From day one, she’d questioned if she’d really been living, or had she just merely taken up space before he walked into her life. Together they crossed each other’s T’s and dotted each other’s I’s. The only issue between them was the distance. New York and Florida was only one flight away, and both Promise and Monroe stayed catching flights to see each other, but it had gotten old. Their relationship had shifted, and the need to be closer couldn’t be ignored.

Monroe was undoubtedly her hearts’ protector, and she provided a peace to his spirit that should have been studied. Denying each other of their presence felt like a crime, and Monroe had indeed indicted her. Promise shamelessly agreed as soon as her Jacksonville Correctional Center approved her transfer. Everyone in her inner circle had been moving forward with their love interest, and now it was her time. Monroe had extended the offer for Promise to move into his home, but she’d insisted on having her own place.

“You gotta reserve something for yourself, and keep that man wanting more. That’s how you get that ring. Never give your all to a man who ain’t your husband.”

Promise lived by her mother’s words, because they had kept her in control of her peace, energy, and making sound decisions. She glanced around what used to be her place of peace and smiled. Years ago she’d stood in this same place when she moved in. Now that she was moving out, it had turned into a pendulum urging her to step confidently into the next phase of her life.

“Thank you, Jesus,” she whispered aloud, walking out of what marked her old season, and straight into her new.

As soon as she ignited her engine, Chris Brown’s Special Delivery eased through her car speakers as she headed for the airport where Monroe had his private plane waiting for her. As Promise backed out of her driveway, her phone notified her of an incoming call.

“Hey, Sissy!” Promise answered, turning the music down.

“Hey, Missy!” Rae responded, using her nickname. “I was trying to catch you before you boarded your flight. How you feeling?” She asked, her smile unseen, but heard through her voice.

“Aww, sissy. I feel so good I can barely contain it,” Promise answered honestly. “Honestly, I’ve never felt this good, or been this sure about a man before. I swear Monroe is something different.”

“You not lying, Missy,” Rae agreed. “But, you the real prize. Don’t ever forget that.”

Promise nodded, feeling her sisters’ words.

“I'm genuinely happy for you, sis. I just wanna see you shine like you always have,” Rae assured. “Don’t get so lost into love that has the power to feel better than life, that you forget that you have one outside of the love you and Monroe have created.” Rae spoke the wisdom she attained through life’s lessons, and though she was the younger sister; her words were seasoned with a truth Promise couldn’t deny.

“Thank you for saying that, sissy. I know you love me, and I can always count on you. I promise I won’t forget.”

“What up, Tee-Tee Missy!” TJ yelled from the background.

“Hey, nephew! I love you!” Promise joyfully exclaimed. “Put my boy on the phone.”

Rae laughed. “Y’all are something else.”

“Stop hatin’, ma,” TJ teased.

“Mhm,” Rae said, handing TJ the phone.

“What’s goin’ on Tee-Tee? You ain’t called me all week,” TJ was light-weight in his feelings about it.

“I’m sorry, nephew. I’ve been exhausted. You know I’m moving to New York, so I’ve been packing, working, and tryna stay sane through the process.”

“I’m finna call Uncle Roe, ‘cause why he ain’t come help you? What part of the game is that?” TJ asked, feeling a way.

Promise cracked up laughing, but she loved the way TJ was always ready to step when it came to her. He didn’t give a damn who it was, he was all gas, always. “He hired movers, TJ , but you know I still had to do some things on my own.”

“You had to, or you wanted to?” TJ asked.

“I wanted to,” Promise clarified with a smirk.

“Oh, a’ight. But, can you not go so long without calling me? I got a secret I need to tell you about.”

“A secret?” Rae quizzed. “What secret, TJ ?”

“See! This why you gotta call me tonight, Tee-Tee,” TJ said, laughter dripping from his tone.

“Lord,” Promise laughed. “I got you, nephew. I’ma call you as soon as I get settled. I love you.”

“Love you too, Tee-Tee,” he returned before releasing the line.